SCR / Thyristor

• Circuit Symbol and Terminal Identification

ANODE

SCR
2N3668
GATE

CATHODE
 SCR / Thyristor

• Anode and Cathode

terminals as
conventional pn ANODE
junction diode
SCR
2N3668
GATE
• Gate terminal for a
controlling input
signal CATHODE
 SCR/ Thyristor

• An SCR (Thyristor) is a “controlled”

rectifier (diode)
• Control the conduction under forward bias
by applying a current into the Gate
terminal
• Under reverse bias, looks like
conventional pn junction diode
 SCR / Thyristor
Anode
• 4-layer (pnpn) device
• Anode, Cathode as P
for a conventional pn
junction diode
N

Gate
• Cathode Gate P
brought out for
controlling input N

Cathode
 ANODE Equivalent Circuit

ANODE

Q1

N N
BJT_PNP_VIRTUAL

GATE
P Q2
P
GATE
BJT_NPN_VIRTUAL

CATHODE

CATHODE
 Apply Biasing
Variable
50V

With the Gate terminal

OPEN, both transistors are IF
ANODE (A)
OFF. As the applied
voltage increases, there will Q1 IC2=IB1
be a “breakdown” that
BJT_PNP_VIRTUAL
causes both transistors to
conduct (saturate) making GATE (G) IC1 = IB2 Q2

IF > 0 and VAK = 0.

BJT_NPN_VIRTUAL

VBreakdown = VBR(F)
IF
CATHODE (K)
 Volt-Ampere Characteristic

IF

Holding Current IH

VBR(F) VAK

Breakdown Voltage
 Apply a Gate Current
For 0 < VAK < VBR(F), Variable
50V

Turn Q2 ON by applying a IF
current into the Gate ANODE (A)

Q1 IC2 = IB1
This causes Q1 to turn ON, and
BJT_PNP_VIRTUAL
eventually both transistors
SATURATE
IB2 Q2
GATE (G)
VAK = VCEsat + VBEsat
BJT_NPN_VIRTUAL
VG
If the Gate pulse is removed, IF
Q1 and Q2 still stay ON! CATHODE (K)
 How do you turn it OFF?

• Cause the forward current to fall below the

value if the “holding” current, IH

• Reverse bias the device

 SCR Application – Power Control
XSC1

G
T
A B When the voltage across
the capacitor reaches the
“trigger-point” voltage of
the device, the SCR turns
ON, current flows in the
R Load for the remainder of
25kOhm 60%
Key = a the positive half-cycle.
D1
Vs 2N1776
170V
120.21V_rms
60Hz Current flow stops when
0Deg
C the applied voltage goes
Rload
15ohm
0.01uF
negative.
Input / Output Voltages
 Look at the LOAD Current

Conduction time → Conduction Angle = 180 - 

“Firing” time → Firing Angle ()
 Average Load Current

1 V


i =  sin td (t )

p

2 R
L ,AVE

LOAD

V
i = p
(1 + cos  )
2 R
L ,AVE

 = − tan (RC ) −1