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| | Field-effect-controlled thyristors : THYRISTORS |
 | | However, if a negative gate voltage is applied (with respect to the anode, which is at nearly the same voltage as the cathode in the latched state), the lower MOSFET will turn on and "short" between the lower (NPN) transistor's base and emitter terminals, thus forcing it into cutoff. |
 | | So, a brief positive pulse to the gate turns the MCT on, a brief negative pulse forces it off, and no applied gate voltage lets it remain in whatever state it is already in. |
 | | Zero gate voltage allows the thyristor to remain in whatever state it was previously in (off, or latched on). |
| www.allaboutcircuits.com /vol_3/chpt_7/10.html (511 words) |
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