Article
Article
Controlled rectifier
Article By:
Hunter, Lloyd P. Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York.
Last reviewed:January 2020
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.159800
A three-terminal semiconductor junction device with four regions of alternating conductivity type (pnpn), also called a thyristor. This switching device has a characteristic such that, once it conducts, the voltage in the circuit in which it conducts must drop below a threshold before the controlled rectifier regains control. Such devices are useful as high-current switches and may be used to drive electromagnets and relays.
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