Control Characteristics of Power Devices

Classification of Semiconductor Switching device

1. Uncontrolled turn on and Off [Diode]
2. Controlled turn on and Uncontrolled turn off [SCR]
3. Controlled turn on and off characteristics [BJT, MOSFET, GTO]
4. Continuous gate signal requirement [BJT, MOSFET]
5. Pulse Gate Requirement [SCR, GTO]
6. Bipolar Voltage-withstanding capability [SCR]
7. Unipolar Voltage-withstanding capability [BJT, MOSFET, GTO]
8. Bidirectional Current capability [TRIAC, RCT]
9. Unidirectional Current Capability [SCR, GTO, BJT, MOSFET, Diode]

Simplified Classification

Turn On and Off

• Uncontrolled On and Off
• Controlled On and Uncontrolled Off
• Controlled On and Off Characteristics

Voltage Withstanding

• Bipolar
• Unipolar

Current Capability

• Bidirectional
• Unidirectional

Gate Signal

• Pulse
• Continuous