Classification of power electronic devices

Classification of power electronic devices

According to the control ability of the device, it is divided into the following three categories:
Semi-controlled devices: Thyristor (Thyristor or SCR) and most of its derivative devices
Its characteristics are: the control electrode can only control the device to turn on, but not to turn it off.
Fully controlled devices: IGBT, MOSFET, GTO, GTR
Its characteristics are: the control electrode can control the device to turn on and off.
Uncontrollable devices: Diode (Power Diode)

According to the characteristics of the device control signal, it is divided into two categories:
current-driven type - the on-off control is achieved by injecting or extracting current from the control end, such as SCR, GTR, GTO
voltage-driven type - the on-off control can be achieved by applying a certain voltage signal between the control end and the common end. Its essence is to generate a controllable electric field between the two main circuit terminals of the device by the voltage applied to the control end to change the current size and on-off state flowing through the device, so it is also called field-controlled device, or field-effect device, such as IGBT, MOSFET
according to the internal carrier participation in conduction of the device is divided into three categories:
unipolar device - a device in which one carrier participates in conduction, such as MOSFET
bipolar device - a device in which two carriers, electrons and holes, participate in conduction, such as SCR, GTR, GTO
composite device - a device integrated and mixed by unipolar devices and bipolar devices, such as IGBT

General working characteristics of power electronic devices:
(1) Power electronic devices generally work in a switching state;
(2) Power electronic devices often need to be controlled by information electronic circuits - drive circuits, control circuits;
(3) During operation, they generate heat due to conduction losses, switching losses, etc., so heat dissipation design or the installation of a heat sink is generally required during operation.