THYRISTOR Meaning and
Definition
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A thyristor is a four-layer semiconductor device that exhibits specific characteristics of both a transistor and a diode. It is an electronic component that is widely used in power control applications. The thyristor is also commonly known as a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR).
Thyristors are primarily utilized to control the flow of electric current in a circuit. They are highly efficient devices for switching high voltages and high currents. The key characteristic of a thyristor is that once it is turned on, it remains conducting even after the controlling signal is removed, until the current through it falls below a specified level.
The thyristor operates in three basic modes: off-state, on-state, and reverse blocking state. In the off-state, the device is non-conducting and blocks current flow. In the on-state, the device is conducting and allows current to flow. In the reverse blocking state, the thyristor regulates the flow of current in the opposite direction.
The triggering of a thyristor can be achieved through various methods, such as using a gate signal or by exceeding a particular threshold voltage. Once triggered, the thyristor continues to conduct as long as the current through it remains above a certain level.
Thyristors find applications in various electrical systems, including motor speed control, power supplies, lighting control, and inverter circuits. Due to their ability to handle high-power levels, thyristors are crucial components in many industrial and power grid systems.
Common Misspellings for THYRISTOR
- theristor
- hyristor
- thristor
- thyrustor
- rhyristor
- fhyristor
- ghyristor
- yhyristor
- 6hyristor
- 5hyristor
- tgyristor
- tbyristor
- tnyristor
- tjyristor
- tuyristor
- tyyristor
- thtristor
- thgristor
- thhristor
- thuristor
Etymology of THYRISTOR
The term "thyristor" is derived from the combination of two words: "thyratron" and "transistor".
- "Thyratron" comes from the Greek word "thyra", meaning door or gate. It was an electronic tube device invented in the early 20th century, primarily used as a high-power electrical switch.
- "Transistor", on the other hand, is a portmanteau of "transfer" and "resistor", signifying its ability to transfer an electrical signal across a resistor effectively.
The thyristor, introduced in the late 1950s, was named so because it combined the characteristics of both thyratrons and transistors. It utilized a four-layer semiconductor structure and was capable of controlling and switching large electric currents. Thus, the word "thyristor" emerged as a fusion of "thyra" from thyratron and "istor" from transistor.
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