2. Semiconductor components

In this treatise, the reader is referred to [10] and [11] .

They are the best-known and most widely used components for protecting electrical and electronic equipment against electrical overloads, due to their ease of use and almost perfect characteristics.

The family of silicon semiconductor protection components comprises four main types:

• forward-biased diodes ;

• reverse-biased diodes (Zener diodes and avalanche diodes) ;

• thyristor effect devices ;

• combinations, integrated into the silicon, of two or more types of these components; these are often combinations...