Electronics - Diodes and Applications - Discussion

A varistor is an electronic component with a "diode-like" nonlinear current-voltage characteristic. The name is a portmanteau of variable resistor. Varistors are often used to protect circuits against excessive transient voltages by incorporating them into the circuit in such a way that, when triggered, they will shunt the current created by the high voltage away from sensitive components. A varistor is also known as Voltage Dependent Resistor or VDR. A varistor's function is to conduct significantly increased current when voltage is excessive.

Varistor is the voltage dependent resister i.e. it depends on the value of voltage.

A semiconductor diode with resistance dependent on the applied voltage.

If referred as a semiconductor diode or a voltage dependent resistor, does it sound correct? I doubt.

The forward and reverse biased states of a diode can be compared to a variable resistor. A forward biased diode will drop only .3 or .7 V.

That corresponds to an internal resistance in the anode that drops from several Kilo-ohms at the point where conduction begins to several ohms where a diode is conducting heavily.

In the reverse bias state, resistance will be in the Mega-ohms until breakdown voltage is reached.

Varistor is an electronic component with an electrical resistance that varies with the applied voltage. It is also known as a Voltage Dependent Resistor (VDR).

Var = variable, istor = resistor.

What is the use of semiconductor devices?

What is varistor? Someone explain.

If some can explain the advantages of IGBT ovr ovt.