Editing Power semiconductor device (section)

{{short description|Semiconductor device capable of handling large amounts of electricity}}
A '''power semiconductor device''' is a [[semiconductor device]] used as a [[switch]] or [[rectifier]] in [[power electronics]] (for example in a [[switch-mode power supply]]). Such a device is also called a '''power device''' or, when used in an [[integrated circuit]], a '''power IC'''.

A power semiconductor device is usually used in "commutation mode" (i.e., it is either on or off), and therefore has a design optimized for such usage; it should usually not be used in linear operation. Linear power circuits are widespread as voltage regulators, audio amplifiers, and radio frequency amplifiers.

Power semiconductors are found in systems delivering as little as a few tens of milliwatts for a headphone amplifier, up to around a  gigawatt in a [[high voltage direct current]] transmission line.