Thyristors & Power Switching
Thyristors and power-switching components are semiconductors that control high voltage and current. They switch AC and DC power lines efficiently.
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SCR, TRIAC, DIAC and GTO are the main types. Peak voltage, average/peak current, gate trigger current and holding current matter when choosing one. Motor speed control, light dimmers, heater control and AC power switching are the most common applications.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an SCR and a TRIAC?+
An SCR conducts in only one direction (DC or a half-wave of AC); a TRIAC conducts in both directions and can control the full AC wave. So TRIACs are used in AC dimmers and motor control.
How does a thyristor turn on and off?+
A short trigger pulse on the gate turns the thyristor on and it stays on even after the pulse is removed; it turns off only when the anode current drops below the holding current (at the AC zero crossing).
Why use a thyristor instead of a MOSFET for power switching?+
Thyristors can switch very high voltage and current at low cost and are rugged in AC mains applications. When high-frequency, precise control is needed, MOSFETs/IGBTs are preferred.