Industrial electronics
This or that
Power devices: which one? 4 pairs students mix up
Do you know the difference, or just think you do? Answer before I do.
Quick check · tap an answer to continue
Lesson notes
Key points
- Latching / Holding current: Latching current is needed to turn on; holding current is the minimum to stay on.
- SCR / TRIAC: An SCR conducts one direction only; a TRIAC conducts both ways for AC control.
- BJT / MOSFET: A BJT is current-driven at the base; a MOSFET is voltage-driven at the gate.
- Line / Forced commutation: Line commutation uses the AC supply reversing; forced commutation needs an external circuit.
Takeaway: Name the one difference that matters, and the pair stops blurring.
Quick check: Is the GTO or the SCR able to be turned off by a negative gate pulse?
- The SCR
- The GTO
- Neither of them
A gate turn-off thyristor is built to switch off with a negative gate current.
Lessons like this, for your syllabus.
Short narrated study videos written for your course, level and exam. Free to start.
Get lessons for your own syllabus