4.1: Introduction.

4.2: Thyristor Characteristics.

4.3: Two-Transistor Model of a Thyristor.
4.4: Thyristor Turn-On.
4.5: di/dt Protection.
4.6: dv/dt Protection.
4.7: Thyristor Turn-Off.
4.8: Thyristor Types.
4.11: Thyristor Firing Circuits.
4.12: Unijunction Transistors.
4.13: Programmable Unijunction Transistors.
Introduction

A thyristor is on of the most important types of power

semiconductor devices.
It thyristor can operate as a bistable switch
(conducting or nonconducting).
A thyristor may be assumed as an ideal switch for
many applications but practical thyristors exhibit
certain characteristics and limitations.
Due to its voltage and current handling capabailities,
a thyristor is the most commonly used semiconductor
switch in power electronic applications for many
years.
A thyristor is turned ON by increasing
the anode current in one of the
following ways.
• Thermal.
• Light.
• High Voltage.
• dv/dt.
• Gate Current.

A thyristor is turned OFF by reducing

the forward current below the IH.
• Line Commutation.
• Forced Commutation.
• Phase Controlled Rectifiers (SCRs)

• Fast-switching thyristors (SCRs)

• Gate-turn-off thyristors (GTOs)

• Bidirectional triode thyristors (TRIACs)

• Reverse Conducting thyristors (RCTs)

• Static induction thyristors (SITHs)

• Light activated silicon controlled rectifiers (LASCRs)

• FET-controlled thyristors (FET-CTHs)

•MOS-controlled thyristors (MCTs)

 Voltage

Thyristors

5 kv
GTOs

4 kv

3 kv MCTs
IGBTs Current
2 kv BJTs 1k
Hz

1 kv 10 kHz

MOSFET 100 kHz

s
1 MHz
Frequency 500 A 1000 A 1500 A 2000 A 2500 A 3000 A
4.12: Unijunction Transistors.

4.13: Programmable Unijunction Transistors.

T = 1 / f ≅ RC ln (1 / 1- η)
where η is called the intrinsic stand-off ratio and
lies between 0.51 and 0.82.
Half-wave
Uncontrolled Rectifier

Half-wave
Controlled Rectifier

Full-wave
Uncontrolled Rectifier

Full-wave
Controlled Rectifier