Instantaneous electrical characteristics of selenium rectifiers

IN POWER applications of selenium rectifiers the reverse characteristics of the selenium cell are of interest only in so far as they affect the heat generated within the cell and thus the efficiency and the current rating of the cell as dictated by its heat-dissipation capabilities. In more critical applications, however, the detailed reverse characteristics of the cell must be considered; this is particularly true in the case of selenium cells used as self-saturating or feedback rectifiers of magnetic amplifiers. In such applications, not only a more complete knowledge of the reverse resistive properties of the cell is required but also information regarding its capacitive properties.