TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

COLLE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS, LAB

ASSIGNMENT NO. 2
Thyristor, Its Types and Applications

SUBMITTED BY SCORE:
De Vera, Edev Paula E.
BS ECE-4C

SUBMITTED TO
Engr. Maria Victoria C. Padilla
Instructor

DECEMBER 4, 2017
What is a Thyristor?
A thyristor is a four layer solid-state semiconductor device with P and N type material. Whenever a gate
receives a triggering current then it starts’ conducting until the voltage across the thyistor device is under
forward bias. So it acts as a bistable switch under this condition. To control the large amount of current of the
two leads we have to design a three lead thyristor by combining the small amount of current to that current. This
process is known as control lead. If the potential difference between the two leads is under breakdown voltage,
then a two lead thyristor is used to switch on the device.

Types of Thyristors and Its Application

Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)

Silicon controlled rectifier is normally in OFF state but when a small current enters its gate G it goes to ON
state. If the gate current is removed the SCR remains in ON state and to turn it of the anode to cathode current
must be removed or the anode must be set to a negative voltage in relation to cathode. The current only flows in
one direction from anode to cathode. SCRs are used in switching circuits, phase control circuits, inverting
circuits etc.
Applications are: Basic Latching Circuit, Power Control Circuit, and DC motor Speed Controller.

Triac
Triac is similar to SCR but it conducts in both directions, means that it can switch AC and DC currents. The
triac remain in ON state only when there is current in gate G and switched OFF when this current is removed.
Current is flowing in both directions between MT1 and MT2.
Applications are: AC Light Dimmer, and High Power Lamp Switching.

Four layer diode

Four layer diode has 2 pins and works like a voltage-sensitive switch. When the voltage between the two pins
exceeds the breakdown voltage it turns ON, otherwise it’s OFF. Current flows from anode to cathode.
Applications are: Trigger Switch, and Relaxation Oscillator.

Diac
Diac is similar to four-layer diode but it can conduct in both directions meaning it can contact both AC and DC
currents.
Applications are: Lamp Dimmer Circuit, and heat control circuit.
REFERENCES:

 Overview of Thyristors Circuits, Types and Applications. (2016, April 01). Retrieved December
03, 2017, from https://www.elprocus.com/types-of-thyristors-and-their-applications/.

 Basic Types of Thyristors and Applications. (2015, October 02). Retrieved December 03, 2017,
from http://www.electronics-lab.com/basic-types-of-thyristors-and-applications/.

 What is Shockley Diode? - Construction, Working & Applications. (2017, July 25). Retrieved
December 03, 2017, from https://electronicscoach.com/shockley-diode.html.

 Triac Applications. (2009, September 15). Retrieved December 03, 2017, from
http://www.circuitstoday.com/triac-applications.

 Diac Applications. (2009, September 15). Retrieved December 03, 2017, from
http://www.circuitstoday.com/diac-applications.