How do SCR works and basic circuits

Have ever you see SCR? Some may use it instead of switches and
relays. Because we have seen it works high speed and quiet.

Sound good, doesn’t it?

If we are going to learn how does SCR Works. Let me explain them to
you.

What is SCR?

SCR is a semiconductor and thyristor device that is important for a power

electronic circuit. SCR stands for Silicon Controlled Rectifier.

Sure, these words are not necessary for you. You don’t have to do
exams. We just use it well enough, right?
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SCR Application

How can we use SCR? a lot of applications for example:

● Use to load current, 0.8A to 10000A or more.

● Lighting control

● Speed ​control of motor

● Rectifier circuits to convert alternating current to direct current.

● Or Convert from direct current to alternating current.

● Use instead of a switch or a relay to turn the load on and off.

● Switch circuits that require very high speeds.

● Need a spark-free switch that works.

● Used instead of a very high current diode. The advantage is that

it is controlled by small currents. Like transistor.

● And more.

Which is your want?

Structure and equivalent circuit

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Imagine you take a hammer to smash an SCR. You see, it is a four-layer

structure. And has 3 PN junctions. Some called 4-layer PNPN Diode.
Because it passes current in only one direction.

SCR symbol

Compare Diode and SCR symbol. The SCR is similar to a diode. Just
have more a G leg only.
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Also, it has 3 leads similar to a bipolar transistor. But names are a

difference, include:

● “A” stands for Anode

● “K” stands for Cathode

● “G” stands for Gate

See Structures of SCR again. Now, we compare it with transistors.

We are more familiar with Transistors than SCR.

So…
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We can modify both types of transistor NPN and PNP to the SCR easily.
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Here is connecting two transistors as SCR.

If compare circuit both.

● Gate of SCR is collector(C) of PNP transistor and Base(B) of

NPN transistor.

● Anode of SCR is Emitter(E) of PNP transistor.

● The cathode of SCR is Emitter(E) of NPN transistor

We will learn it works from the example circuit diagram later(below).

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What is more?

Working of SCR
It is difficult to explain how SCR works are easy to understand. But I will
try to reduce Its in-depth details. Leaving only important principles for
basic use only.

In a normal SCR circuit. We always connect a load in series with “A” lead
and positive supply. But a cathode(K) connects to the negative supply.

Here is working of SCR under two heads:

Open gate mode

See in the circuit.

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When no voltage to the gate.

There are 2 cases to learn:

● Forward BiasedUnder PN junction of SCR is a situation as in an

NPN transistor with a base open.So, no current flows through the
load RL and the SCR.But, if we continually increase the voltage
supply. Until a reverse-biased point breaks down.
Make the SCR now conducts heavily. It is “Turn ON” state. But in
normal we do not add high voltage supply like this. We called
Forward Breakover voltage, in forward-biased.
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● Reverse Biased In contrast, we turn the polarity supply voltage.

It is like a reverse bias of a diode. If we increase more voltage up
and up.Until to one point will make SCR conduct heavily current,
and damaged in end.We called the Reverse Breakover voltage.

So, we must use a lower voltage than the Breakover voltage. The
characteristics of each SCR are different. We should study the
information in detail.

Not only that.

You would not use SCR with no gate current, Right?

Enter gate voltage

While we trig the gate with entering a little current. It is positive if

compare with the Cathode. Makes SCR works right ways. We often use
this.
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But do not forget the voltage across A and K must be lower than break
over voltage.

When SCR conducts current through Anode to Cathode. Then, it keeps

working on this current. Even if we remove the gate current it already.

If we reduce the current flows through Anode to Cathode leads to a

holding current. It causes SCR to stop.

See in the graph:

The holding current is the lowest current that makes SCR still works.
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Both IG1 and IG2 indicate the gate current. If we enter this more current
it will work fast.

Size and shape of SCR

Currently, there are many types of SCR depending on the application.
And there are many SCR specifications or qualifications as well.

We can divide into 2 properties. These are:

● Can withstand a current of 0.8-2000 amperes.

● Withstand pressure drop across it. May be about 200V to more

than 1000V etc.

With these qualities, there are different shapes of SCRs.

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Sample SCR popular for me

Sometimes you may wonder. Can your existing SCR be used

interchangeably? Or choose which one to buy Most economical.

Let me give you an example of 6 SCRs that should be used.

● 2N5060: 30V 0.8A, TO-92. Looks like 2N2222 transistor.

● T106D1: 400V 4A SENSITIVE GATE SCR, TO-220

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● C106B1: 200V 4A A, TO-202

● 2N6507 SCR: 400V 25A, TO-220

● C38M: SCR 600V 35A, TO-65

● 2N6509: 800V 250A, TO-220AB

What is more?

How to pick SCR

When using the SCR, consider Its limits. Which the manufacturer will
always specify.

Important things to know:

● 1. VBO (Forward breakover voltage) is the voltage causes SCR

to start conducting without no gate current. Or, The maximum
voltage that SCR can tolerate.

● 2. IFmax (Maximum forward current)is maximum currents can

flow in SCR without damage to the SCR.

● 3. IGTmin (Minimum gate triggering current) is the minimum gate

current that can trigger the SCR.

● 4. IH(Holding current) is the lowest current that flows through

A-K. That can keep on SCR works.
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● 5. VB (Peak reverse voltage) is the return voltage that will fit the
SCR Can break down

For example, T106D SCR is 400V 10A.

Means an SCR of VBO = 400 V and

IF (max) = 4A. But Average current: 2.5A, IH = 20mA , IGT = 200uA.

So we should use SCR, not over its capability. It may cause too heat and
damage in the end.

How SCR is triggered

We can trigger in many ways. I would like to divide by 2 types of power
supply:

1. Using DC Power Supply

We often use it with a DC power supply. It is so easy.

See:

It shows the principles that make SCR conduct current by direct current.

In the figure has 2 circuits.

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1. Trigger current is separate from the power supply.

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2. Get trigger current from a single power supply with divider resistors.

But both circuit has the same principle.

We apply a positive supply to an anode of SCR. And negative to the

cathode.

Then, enter a little current to the gate of SCR. We called a trigger current.
And, this voltage must be a positive only, when compared with a cathode.

If the level of the gate current still lower than the trigger current. SCR will
not work. But when SCR conducts current now. It will keep on works at
all. Even we will reduce or remove the trigger current.
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2. Using AC Power supply

Most we use SCR as the power electronics switches. To turn on-off any
load circuits. But SCR conducts current in one way only. Or DC voltage
as above.

However, we can use SCR in AC power supply.

Imagine you can control a motor, a lamp, and more on AC main using
SCR.

Sound good, doesn’t it?

I will divide into 2 cases.

1. Triggering with DC current.

Look image the circuit. The trigger circuit is DC voltage. It can control
SCR on-off.
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Are you understand? Look:

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Look at the signal image at various points of the SCR circuit. The signal
passing through the load will become a Pulsating DC voltage.

It is a half rectifier circuit and a switches circuit. We can control by the

trigger circuit.

Suppose that we enter the DC trigger voltage (Turn ON). It is in phase

with the AC supply. Makes SCR conduct current to load in a waveform.

I feel uncomfortable, Cannot describe words well. You look graph better.

Sample simple circuits using SCR

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If you still do not understand. You may look at the circuit below. To
increase your imagination

The transistor lat as SCR trigger

This circuit works similarly to an SCR. When the trigger input is high,
Both transistors Q2(PNP transistors) and Q1(PNP transistors) will work.
Therefore, the current flows to the base pin of Q2, which has a voltage of
0.7 volts at resistor R1.
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When we cut the trigger voltage, the transistors can continue to work,
because of the base current. We can reset the circuit by cutting the
power supply circuit. Which this circuit we press the switch S1-reset
button only.