8/26/2021 What is GTO?

Types, Construction, Working and Applications

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What is GTO? Types, Construction,

Working and Applications
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GTO – Construction, Operation, Advantages,

Disadvantages & Applications
Thyristor is a unidirectional semiconductor switch that conducts high
current in on-state and blocks high voltages in off-state. It has three

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

terminals Gate (G), Cathode (K) and Anode (A). The cathode and anode
terminals are used to conduct the main current while the gate terminal
switches the state of the thyristor. It is a semi-controlled switch that can
be switched on by applying a positive gate current but it lacks the ability
to be turned off using the same gate. The main current must be
interrupted to turn off the thyristor using a commutation circuit. To
overcome this problem GTO is designed.

GTO or Gate Turn-Off thyristor is a type of thyristor that offers full control
over switching i.e. it can be turned ON as well as turned OFF by using the
same gate terminal. GTO has many similarities with a normal thyristor.

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Applications

Table of Contents 

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

1. What is GTO?
2. Structure of GTO
3. Operation Principle of GTO
3.1. Turn-on Mechanism
3.2. Turn-off Mechanism
4. Types of GTO
4.1. Asymmetric GTO
4.2. Symmetric GTO
5. Modes of Operation
5.1. Forward Blocking Mode
5.2. Forward Conduction Mode
5.3. Reverse Blocking Mode
6. V-I Characteristics of GTO
7. Advantages & Disadvantages of GTO
8. Applications of GTO

What is GTO?
GTO (aka Gate Turn Off) is a semiconductor based fully controlled
unidirectional switching device (thyristor) that has 3 terminals Gate,
Cathode, and Anode. It can be switched ON/OFF using the gate
terminal.

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

A positive current pulse at the gate switches ON the GTO while a

negative current pulse at the gate switches it OFF. It is unidirectional,
therefore, it only allows current from anode to cathode.

Just like a normal thyristor, it can be switched into conduction mode using
a positive current pulse at the gate. It has a low on-state voltage drop.
However, the turn-off current required at the gate is relatively high. The
negative current pulse at the gate is almost one-fourth of the anode
current.

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TRIAC – Construction, Working and Applications

Structure of GTO
GTO is 4 layer PNPN device having 3 PN junctions and 3 terminals
Gate (G), Anode (A), and Cathode (C).

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

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The anode is a metallic electrode attached to the P+ heavily doped

region. The doping is kept high to maintain high anode efficiency. Heavy
doping decreases the turn-on time but also increases the turn-off time
with power loss. To avoid this problem, N+ regions are added into the
anode region known as anode shorted structure. It reduces the reverse
voltage blocking with better turn-off timing. Therefore, the anode short is
designed based on the required performance.

On top of the anode region, an N-type base region is added forming PN

junction J1 where doping and width of this region determines the forward
blocking voltage capacity of the device. Low doping level and increased
width of this layer increases the forward blocking voltage of the GTO.
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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

The P-type gate region is added on top of the base N layer forming the
2nd junction j2. This region is neither heavily nor lightly doped due to the
given reasons. Heavy doping of the gate region causes to have better
turn-off time and lightly doping increases the emitter efficiency from the
cathode region. This is why the gate P region is moderately doped.

The cathode is attached to a heavily doped N+ layer. It is heavily doped

to have higher emitter efficiency but at the cost of reduced breakdown
voltage.

Related Post: What is the Difference Between DIAC and TRIAC?

Operation Principle of GTO

The GTO operates like a conventional thyristor except it has turn-off
capabilities.

Turn-on Mechanism
GTO has the same turn-off operation as a conventional thyristor. It can be
turned-on using two methods i.e. increasing forward voltage above break
over voltage, applying positive gate current.

When forward voltage is applied to GTO i.e. anode voltage is positive

than the cathode, the junction j1 and j3 becomes forward biased while the
junction j2 becomes reverse biased. The reversed biased j2 does not
allow the current to flow through the device. If the forward is increased
above the forward break over voltage, an avalanche will occur and the
J2 will become forward biased allowing the current flow. this type of
switching is destructive and should be avoided.

The proper method of turning a GTO is by applying a positive gate current

when forward voltage is applied. Application of positive current at the gate
injects holes into the P gate region which makes j3 forward bias. Thus
allowing the current flow through it.

Turn-off Mechanism
To turn off the GTO, the gate terminal is applied with negative current or
negative voltage with respect to the cathode. The holes entering through
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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

the anode are extracted through the gate terminal. It makes the junction
j3 reverse biased that stops the electron injection from the cathode
region.

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At this time, there is no cathode current but the anode current is still
flowing through the gate terminal which is called “tail current”. it reduces
exponentially. and once it goes to zero, the device completely turn-off and
blocks the voltage at its terminals. The turn-off current required for GTO is
dependent on the anode voltage and current but it is usually one-fourth of
the anode current.

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IGBT & Special Transistors

Types of GTO
There are two types of GTO based on their structure.

Asymmetric GTO
Asymmetric GTOs are the most common type of GTOs also known as
“shorted anode GTO”. They have asymmetric voltage blocking
capabilities i.e. forward blocking voltage is not equal to reverse blocking
voltage. The reverse blocking voltage is very less than forward blocking
voltage. They are usually used with a diode in anti-parallel.

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

Symmetric GTO
The symmetric GTO has symmetric voltage blocking capabilities. The
reverse blocking voltage is as high as forward voltage. It does not have a
“shorted-anode” structure instead anode is made of pure P+ region.

Modes of Operation
The GTO or Gate Turn-Off thyristor just like a thyristor can operate in the
following three modes.

Forward Blocking Mode

When the applied anode-to-cathode voltage is positive but there is no
gate current. The device does not conduct and blocks the forward current
unless the anode voltage increase over the break over voltage or the gate
current is applied. This mode is called forward blocking mode.

Forward Conduction Mode

In this mode, the GTO in is conduction-state and since its unidirectional. It
conducts current from anode to cathode. The GTO just like thyristor can
be triggered into conduction by either applying gate current which is the
proper way or increasing the anode voltage above the break over voltage.

Reverse Blocking Mode

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When the anode voltage is made negative with respect to the cathode, it
blocks the current flow. it is a unidirectional device, it does not allow
current is reverse direction. But if the reverse voltage exceeds the reverse
break over voltage, it will start conduction.  

V-I Characteristics of GTO

The V-I characteristics of GTO resemble conventional thyristor except for
the gate turn-off. GTO operates in the first and 3rd quadrants. The
following graph shows the relation between the anode voltage Va and
anode current IC.

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

In the first quadrant, the anode voltage Va is positive with respect to the
cathode, the device is in forward blocking mode but there is still forward
leaking current. Increasing Va above forward break over voltage VBF or
applying the gate current, the GTO triggers into conduction allowing
anode current Ia through it with decreased ON-state voltage drop Va
across it.

Apply negative current to the gate turn off the GTO. The Ia decreases
while Va starts to appear across the device.

In the third quadrant, Va applied is negative with respect to the cathode.

The device is in reverse blocking mode but there is a current leakage
called reverse leaking current. If the voltage exceeds reverse break over
voltage VBR, the device starts conduction in reverse. It is not destructive
as long as its duration is kept small. Prolonged duration in reverse
conduction mode will damage the device.  

Advantages & Disadvantages of GTO

Advantages

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

GTO or Gate turn-off thyristor has the following advantages

GTO has a turn-off feature thus eliminating the use of a commutation

circuit. in turn, the size, weight of the circuit is substantially reduced.
It has a low turn-off time with efficient switching.
It has better switching characteristics than a conventional thyristor.
It has higher voltage blocking capabilities.
It has high over current capabilities.
It is cost-effective due to the absence of extra commutation circuitry.
It has higher efficiency due to the absence of losses due to forced
commutation in conventional thyristor.
It can handle current surges similar to a conventional thyristor.

Disadvantages

The GTO has the following disadvantages:

The gate drive loss and On-state losses are higher than
conventional thyristor.
The gate current required to trigger a GTO is higher than
conventional thyristor.
It has a higher on-state voltage drop.
It cannot handle high reverse voltages.
It has higher latching and holding current magnitude.

Applications of GTO

Due to the superior switching characteristics and turn-off capabilities with

no need for a commutation circuit, GTO is preferred over conventional
thyristor in various applications. Some of these applications of GTO are
given below:

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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications

It is used in high-performance AC as well as DC motor drives.

It is used in VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) with adjustable
frequency.
It is used in DC-to AC or DC-to-DC converters.
It is used in DC choppers.
It is used in inverters.
It is used in HVDC systems.
It is used in induction heating.
It is used for high-power AC/DC power supplies.

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EE-Tools, Instruments, Devices, Components & Measurements Electronics

What is TRIAC? Symbol,

Construction, Working and
Applications
 Electrical Technology 0  5 minutes read

TRIAC – Construction, Operation, Advantages,

Disadvantages & Applications
Thyristors are widely used semiconductor-based devices for the
regulation of power However they can conduct in only one direction just
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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications
regulation of power. However, they can conduct in only one direction just
like a diode which makes them suitable for DC power regulation.
Whereas, TRIAC which belongs to the family of the thyristor can conduct
in both directions as well as offer full control over the power supplied.
Therefore, they are used for AC power regulation.

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Table of Contents 
1. What is TRIAC?
2. Symbol of TRIAC
3. Construction of TRIAC
4. Operation of TRAIC
4.1. Mode 1 : MT1=  +ve, Gate= +ve
4.2. Mode 2 : MT1=  +ve, Gate=  -ve
4.3. Mode 3 : MT1=  -ve, Gate=  +ve
4.4. Mode 4 : MT1=  -ve, Gate=  -ve
5. V-I Characteristic of TRIAC
6. Advantages & Disadvantages of TRIAC
7. Applications of TRIAC

What is TRIAC?
TRIAC is an acronym that stands for “Triode for Alternating Current”.
Triode means a three-terminal device while AC means that it is used
for switching Alternating current. It is a three-terminal bi-directional switch
that conducts in both directions. It is made from the combination of two
SCRs in anti-parallel with their gates joined together.

The three terminals are Gate, A1 or MT1 and A2 or MT2. It does not have
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The three terminals are Gate, A1 or MT1 and A2 or MT2. It does not have
an anode and cathode like a thyristor because it can conduct in both
directions and it does not matter if the terminals are swapped.

TRIAC can be triggered into conduction by either positive or negative

gate current in both directions. While it switches off when the main current
falls below the holding current limit. 

Symbol of TRIAC
The symbol of TRIAC represents two thyristors connected in antiparallel
having a common gate. Its equivalent two-thyristor structure is also given
for better understanding.

Just like thyristor, it has three terminals but their names are different
except for Gate. It is due to the fact that each terminal is made by
connecting the anode and cathode of SCR together Therefore both
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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications
connecting the anode and cathode of SCR together. Therefore, both
terminals are either called Anode or Main Terminal MT.

Construction of TRIAC
TRAIC is a four-layer device that is made from a combination of two
antiparallel SCRs having three terminals Gate, MT1 and MT2.

Both main terminals (MT1 and MT2) electrodes are connected with both
P and N regions of both SCRs. So that it can conduct current in both
directions. The gate metallic electrode is also connected with both P and
N regions. It allows the TRIAC to be triggered by both positive as well as
negative gate currents.

TRIAC is a bidirectional switch, it can conduct in both directions but it is

not symmetrical. Its asymmetrical structure is the reason TRAIC has
asymmetrical switching.
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Related Post: What is the Difference Between DIAC and TRIAC?

Operation of TRAIC
The operation of TRAIC resembles thyristor. When the voltage is applied,
it will not conduct unless the voltage does not exceed the break over
voltage VBO or a gate pulse is applied.

As we know that TRAIC can conduct for both polarities of applied voltage
and it can be triggered by both polarities of gate voltage for either
direction. Therefore, the TRAIC can operate in 4 modes.

The following voltages are taken with respect to the MT2 terminal such as
MT1 voltage with respect to MT2 and Gate voltage with respect to MT2.

Mode 1 : MT1=  +ve, Gate= +ve

In this mode, the applied voltage at MT1 is positive with respect to MT2.
By applying a positive gate pulse, the TRAIC will trigger into forward
conduction and the current will flow from MT1 to MT2.

Mode 2 : MT1=  +ve, Gate=  -ve

In this mode, the applied voltage is the same i.e. MT1 is positive with
respect to MT2. But the gate pulse is negative. Since the gate is
connected with the N region of TRIAC, it will trigger it into forward
conduction while the current direction will remain the same.

Mode 3 : MT1=  -ve, Gate=  +ve

In this mode, the applied voltage polarities are swapped i.e. MT1 is
negative with respect to MT2. But the gate pulse is positive. The gate
pulse will trigger TRAIC into reverse conduction from MT2 to MT1.

Mode 4 : MT1=  -ve, Gate=  -ve

In this mode, both the applied voltage and the gate voltage are negative.
The negative gate pulse triggers the TRAIC into reverse conduction

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Mode 1 and mode 2 represents an operation in the 1st quadrant where

the current and voltage are positive while mode 3 and mode 4 represent
operation in the 3rd quadrant where the voltage and current both are
negative.

While the gate pulse can trigger TRAIC in either direction, it is best to use
a positive gate pulse for operation in the 1st quadrant and negative gate
pulse for operation in the 3rd quadrant due to their increased sensitivity.
Mode 2 and 3 require more gate current that mode 1 and 4 to trigger
TRIAC.

V-I Characteristic of TRIAC

The following characteristic curve shows the relationship between the
applied voltage and the current flowing through the TRIAC. It operates in
only the 1st and 3rd quadrants. Its operation is the same as SCR but it can
also operate in the 3rd quadrant.

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The current I increase when either voltage V exceeds the break over
voltage VBO or if a gate pulse is applied. As soon as, the device switches
into ON-state, the voltage reduces to ON-state voltage and the current
exceeds. It will remain in ON-state until the current reduces below holding
current IH­.

TRAIC is the combination of two SCR in a single package, therefore, it

also has the same electrical characteristics as individual SCR in each
direction such as break down voltage, trigger voltage, holding current.

Advantages & Disadvantages of TRIAC

Advantages

The advantages of TRIAC are given below:

It can conduct and regulate both halves of an AC waveform.

It is compact and requires a smaller heat sink as opposed to using
two SCR.
It requires only one fuse for protection.
Positive as well as negative gate pulse can be used to trigger
TRAIC.
It does not require a diode in parallel for reverse protection as in
SCR.

Disadvantages

Its switching is asymmetrical for both halves of AC.

Asymmetrical switching creates harmonics in the system causing
numerous problems.
Its power rating is lower as compared to SCR.
It is less reliable than SCR.
It has a lower switching speed.
Requires caution while triggering as it can be triggered in either
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8/26/2021 What is GTO? Types, Construction, Working and Applications
Requires caution while triggering as it can be triggered in either
direction.
Its dv/dt rating is lower than SCR.

Applications of TRIAC
TRIAC is used for low to medium AC power regulation. Due to their
asymmetrical switching, a DIAC is used in series to its gate terminal to
provide symmetrical triggering. A combination of both DIAC and TRIAC in
a single package is available which is known as QUADRAC.

They are used for controlling the speed of motors, fans and light dimmers
as well as heat control applications.

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