Power Electronics Handbook, 4th Edition

3

Thyristors

Tanya K. Gachovska    Senior Verification Engineer, Solantro Semiconductor Corp, Ottawa, ON, CanadaJerry L. Hudgins    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United StatesAngus Bryant    System Architect Amantys Power Electronics Ltd, Cambridge, UKPatrick Palmer    University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UKSubbaraya Yuvarajan    North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, United States

Abstract

Thyristors are usually three-terminal devices that have four layers of alternating p-type and n-type material (i.e., three p-n junctions) comprising its main power handling section. In contrast to the linear relation that exists between load and control currents in a transistor, the thyristor is bistable. The control terminal of the thyristor, ...