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

Copyright 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-9

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

Copyright 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-12

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

Copyright 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-13

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

Copyright 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-14

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

Copyright 2003 Chapter 2 Power Semiconductor 2-15

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