Thyristors Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is the primary function of a thyristor?
To act as a switch that can turn on and remain on until the current drops below a certain level.
In which types of circuits are thyristors commonly used?
In power control circuits like light dimmers, motor speed controllers, and AC switching.
What are the three terminals of a thyristor?
Gate, anode, and cathode.
Which terminal on a thyristor controls the switching on of the device?
The gate.
How do you identify the anode and cathode on a thyristor symbol?
The anode is the terminal where current enters, and the cathode is where current leaves; the symbol shows an arrow pointing from anode to cathode.
What happens when a small current is applied to the gate?
It triggers the thyristor to switch from off to on (conducting state).
Does the thyristor turn off when the gate signal is removed?
No, it remains on until the current through it falls below a certain threshold.
How is a thyristor different from a regular diode?
A thyristor can be switched on by a gate signal and remains on, while a diode conducts whenever forward biased.
