Chapter 2 Overview of Power

Semiconductor Devices

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-1

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Diodes

• On and off states controlled by the power circuit

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-2

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Diode Turn-Off

• Fast-recovery diodes have a small reverse-recovery time

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-3

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Thyristors

• Semi-controlled device
• Latches ON by a gate-current pulse if forward biased
• Turns-off if current tries to reverse
Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-4
by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Thyristor in a Simple Circuit

• For successful turn-off, reverse voltage required

for an interval greater than the turn-off interval
Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-5
by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Generic Switch Symbol

• Idealized switch symbol

• When on, current can flow only in the direction of the arrow
• Instantaneous switching from one state to the other
• Zero voltage drop in on-state
• Infinite voltage and current handling capabilities

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-6

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Switching Characteristics (linearized)

Switching Power Loss is

proportional to:
• switching frequency
• turn-on and turn-off times

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-7

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT)

• Used commonly in the past

• Now used in specific applications
• Replaced by MOSFETs and IGBTs

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-8

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Various Configurations of BJTs

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by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 MOSFETs

• Easy to control by the gate

• Optimal for low-voltage operation at high switching frequencies
• On-state resistance a concern at higher voltage ratings

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-10

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Gate-Turn-Off Thyristors (GTO)

• Slow switching speeds

• Used at very high power levels
• Require elaborate gate control circuitry

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-11

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 GTO Turn-Off

• Need a turn-off snubber

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by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 IGBT

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 MCT

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 Comparison of Controllable Switches

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by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview
 Summary of Device Capabilities

Copyright © 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-16

by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Switches: An Overview