Control Characteristics Devices

Desired characteristics in controllable switches
The characteristics of ideal controllable switch are as below:

1. No power loss when ON
2. No power loss when OFF
3. No power loss during turning ON or OFF
4. Little power required to turn it ON or OFF
5. Adequate voltage and current ratings
6. Low Turn-on and Turn-off times

However, power semiconductor switches are not ideal. The following characteristics in a controllable switches are desirable:

1. Small leakage current in the off state.
2. Small on-state voltage drop.
3. Short turn-on and turn-off times.
4. Large forward- and reverse-voltage-blocking capability. (Reverse-voltage-blocking capability is not required in certain cases).
5. High on-state current rating.
6. Positive temperature coefficient of on-state resistance.
7. Small control power required to switch the device.
8. Capability to withstand rated voltage and rated current simultaneously while switching.
9. Large dv/dt and di/dt ratings.

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