What is latch up

Question

Explain the term latch up?

Answer 1

Latch-up relates to the failure phenomenon in which the parasitic thyristor like the parasitic silicon controlled rectifier, or the SCR is accidentally created inside the circuit, resulting in a large amount of current to constantly flow through it as soon as it is accidentally involed or turned on. On the basis of the circuits involved, the amount of current flow generated through this mechanism may be large enough in order to result in the permanent destruction of device because of the electrical overstress (EOS).