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thyristor |
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thyristor, semiconductor switch used chiefly in power-control applications. Also called a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR; see rectifier rectifier, component of an electric circuit used to change alternating current to direct current. Rectifiers are made in various forms, all operating on the principle that current passes through them freely in one direction but only slightly or not at all in the ..... Click the link for more information. ), it is a variation of the transistor transistor, three-terminal, solid-state electronic device used for amplification and switching. It is the solid-state analog to the triode electron tube ; the transistor has replaced the electron tube for virtually all common applications. ..... Click the link for more information. . A thyristor is capable of producing large direct currents by rectification of alternating currents and can be automatically triggered "off" for specified periods of time. Thyristors are used in variable-speed electric motors, power supplies for electrochemical processes, lighting and heating control, and controllers for electric utility power systems. thyristorA semiconductor component that is unidirectional like a diode, but is switched like a transistor. It is widely used to control high currents and voltages in motors, lighting, heating and power applications. Once turned on at the gate, it allows current to flow until it falls below a certain threshold. In an AC circuit, it stops conducting each time the wave crosses over zero and can rectify AC to DC. See diode, PN junction and n-type silicon.
thyristor [thī′ris·tər] (electronics) A transistor having a thyratronlike characteristic; as collector current is increased to a critical value, the alpha of the unit rises above unity to give high-speed triggering action. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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| We had to handle thousands of amperes and voltages in the neighborhood of 300 volts," says Gelb, "and we were forced to use thyristors in place of today's power transistors. Known as transformer based filtering (TBF) devices, the latest circuits include transistors, thyristors, capacitors, and relays to handle power conditioning duties in tandem with a small transformer. Touting their furnaces high power with high melting speeds, the finn points to its Thyristor frequency converter that changes low frequency power to medium frequency. |
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