What's the highest current an SCR can handle versus a Power Mosfet? I
assume SCRs are still way out in front but are Mosfets faster?
W.King
Hi King,
SCR are available in the high kA range, >1000V, Mosfets are available
in the several 100 A range, There is also an IGBT that is also
available in the kA range (of course not in standard semiconductor
cases like TO 220, 247, etc). check
www.eupec.com (part of
infineon).
When it comes to speed, the MOSFET is the fastest followed by the
IGBT. Both MOSFET and IGBT can be turned of during conduction, the SCR
will only turn off when the current drops below a certain value (hold-
current).
When it comes to high voltage application >600V, the IGBT outperforms
the MOSFET (conduction losses in MOSFET are mostly higher because of
high RDSon).
Whether to use and SCR, IGBT or MOSFET depends on your application.
Here also commercial aspects will count.
When you do a search with both MOSFET, IGBT, thyristor and
"comparison", you will probably find documents that will help you to
make the right choice.
Best regards,
Wim
