MOS Controlled Thyristor These devices combines the features of a regenerative four layer thyristor and a MOS gate

structure. The equivalent circuit and symbol for this device is shown in figure 4.15. The features of a MCT are: Low forward voltage drop during conduction. Fast turn-on and turn-off times. Low switching losses. Low reverse voltage blocking capability. High gate input impedance. This type is used in low speed switching applications and is also known as a converter thyristor. Modern thyristors use an amplifying gate circuit to turn-on the main thyristor. In figure 4.11 an auxiliary thyristor TA is gated on by an external gate signal. The amplified output of this auxiliary thyristor is used to supply gare signal to the main thyristor TM.