Power Semiconductor Devices: For Variable Speed Drives

Historically, power semiconductor devices have been divided into three broad categories: diodes, transistors, and thyristors. Although modern devices can be classified in this way, there is an increasing overlap in device design and function. Also semiconductors, such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), and other materials, as well as novel device designs have increased the suitability and broadened the applications of semiconductor switches in megawatt (MW) power conversion circuits and systems.