Gate turn-Off thyristor (GTO)

A gate turn-off thyristor (GTO) is three terminal semiconductor device – made up of four layers of alternating P-type and N-type material. Just like a conventional thyristor, it is also a current controlled, minority carrier device. The gate turn-off thyristor was invented with the purpose to address the difficulties in the turn OFF mechanism of … Read more

MOS Controlled Thyristor (MCT)

An MCT or a MOS-controlled Thyristor is a semiconductor device with the combined capabilities of a thyristor and a MOSFET. It was introduced in the year 1992. It comes with several advantages when compared to other semiconductor devices. Its vertical structure allows low conduction loss and high voltage capabilities. The silicon-controlled rectifiers have a very … Read more

MOS Turn-Off Thyristor (MTO)

MTO stands for MOS turn-off thyristor. It is a high-power bipolar MOS thyristor that constitutes both MOSFET and Gate Turn-off thyristor (GTO). It was developed as a replacement for GTO. It is a latching device that outperforms MCT and IGBT when it comes to power and blocking voltages. It was developed by Silicon Power Company (SPCO) … Read more

TRIAC – Operation, symbol, circuits & applications

A TRIAC or TRIode for Alternating Current is a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor, meaning that can conduct current in both directions when activated properly. It is used in AC switching applications. It can be considered as two SCRs connected in antiparallel. Unlike a silicon-controlled rectifier, it is capable of conducting positive and negative cycles of electric … Read more

Thyristors and their types

Thyristors are high-speed semiconductor switching devices that are made up of four layers of alternating p and n-type materials. They are used in AC/DC switching and AC power control applications. The thyristor symbol is a diode symbol that has three terminals, the gate, anode, and cathode. Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is … Read more

SCR – Silicon Controlled rectifier

A Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is a unidirectional semiconductor device that can be triggered into conduction by applying a positive gate current. It led to tremendous advancements in power semiconductor devices. They are also known as phase-control thyristors. They are high-speed semiconductor switching devices, similar to Shockley diodes but with an extra terminal. They generally … Read more