Power Semiconductor Devices

EE 140 Industrial Electronics

Power Semiconductor Devices
It is a semiconductor device used as a switch or
rectifier in power electronics.

It is usually used in “commutation mode”, and

therefore has a design optimized for such usage; it
should usually not be used in linear operation.
REVIEW…

Current
LINEAR DEVICE

A linear circuit is one that

has no nonlinear electronic
components in it. 

Voltage
REVIEW…

Current
NON LINEAR DEVICE

An electric circuit whose
parameters are varied with
respect to Current and
Voltage  
Voltage
Classification of Solid-state Devices
Two-terminal Three-terminal Four-terminal
Device Device Device
Diode SCR IGBT
Thyristor MCT
GTO IGCT
Triac
BJT
Power Diode
A Uni-polar, uncontrolled, switching device used in
applications such as rectification and circuit
directional current control.
Power Diode vs. Normal Diode
Both Normal diode and Power diodes are
uncontrolled devices because their On/Off situation
depends upon the external circuit used. Normal
diodes are used in small signal applications whereas
power diodes are used for high voltage and current
applications such as in inverter.
Power Diode vs. Normal Diode
Cut in voltage of normal diode = 0.7 V (For Si) and
Cut in voltage for power diode = 1.5 V (for SCR).

In normal diode, Heat sink is not required but in

power diode conduction is more hence area or size
required to dissipate more heat (Heat sink is
required).
Power Diode vs. Normal Diode
In case of power diodes, semiconductor losses
during switching are more as comparison to
normal diode.

Power handling capability of Power diodes are

very high.
Power Diode vs. Normal Diode
Structure of Power diode and normal diode is little
different (Drift region is absent in normal small
signal diodes).
Zener Diode
Acts as a normal diode when
forward biased. When the
voltage across the terminals is
reversed and the potential
reaches the Zener voltage
“knee”, the junction will
breakdown and current will
flow in the reverse direction.
Schottky Diodes
The Schottky Diode is
another type of
semiconductor diode but
have the advantage that
their forward voltage drop
is substantially less than
that of the conventional
silicon pn-junction diode.
Schottky Diodes vs. Normal Diodes

Semiconductor
Metal

Anode Cathode
Semiconductor

Metals: Chrome, Platinum, Tungsten

Schottky Diodes
Schottky Diodes
Schottky Diodes Limitation
High Reverse Current Saturation

Less peak Inverse Voltage

Low Inverse Power Dissipation