A thyristor is a solid state and four-layered semiconductor used in electronic devices and equipment to control electrical power or current output through a phase angle control technique.
A thyristor is also known as a semiconductor-controlled rectifier (SCR) or silicon controlled rectifier (SCR).
Thyristors are primarily designed to amplify and rectify the electrical currents that flow in high-powered electronic devices. A thyristor's four layers consist of a series of N and P-type material that connect with the anode, cathode and a logic gate. When a current is applied at the gate, the thyristor allows an amplified current to flow form anode to cathode.
Although thrysitors can only transmit currents in one direction, they have three different operating modes: reverse blocking, forward blocking and forward conducting.
Synonyms
Silicon-Controlled Rectifier (SCR)
Share this Term
Tech moves fast! Stay ahead of the curve with Techopedia!
Join nearly 200,000 subscribers who receive actionable tech insights from Techopedia.
Latest Articles
By: Kuntal Chakraborty | IT Engineer
By: Alon Levin | Vice President of Product Management
By: Iliya Garakh | Founder and CTO
By: Kevin Miller | Chief Technology Officer
