Power semiconductors

Which is a characteristic of a thyristor?

  1. AOnce turned on by a gate signal, it stays on until the current falls nearly to zero
  2. BIt can be turned off freely at any time by a gate signal
  3. CIt is a two-terminal device
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Answer: A. Once turned on by a gate signal, it stays on until the current falls nearly to zero

A thyristor is a switching device with a four-layer PNPN structure. A gate signal turns it on, and it stays on even without the gate signal (latching). To turn it off, the current must be brought nearly to zero. It is used for high-power rectification and in power grids.

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More Power semiconductors questions

  1. In high-power modules, what is the main purpose of the insulating substrate (such as a ceramic substrate) placed under the power chips?
  2. When SiC or GaN power devices switch at high speed, which problem particularly needs countermeasures?
  3. If the current in a wire with a parasitic inductance of 10 nH changes by 10 A in 10 ns, approximately what voltage is induced?
  4. What is the purpose of a power factor correction (PFC) circuit used in power supplies?
  5. What is the main advantage of using SiC power devices in electric vehicle inverters?