The Silicon Controlled Rectifier

Introduction
The Silicon Controlled Rectifier, or SCR, is one of several semiconductor devices which are capable of acting as fast switches for large currents. The general name for these devices is THYRISTOR. Fig. 1 shows the SCR symbol and some of the physical forms in which it is found.

Fig. 1 Types of SCR and Graphical Symbol The SCR resembles a rectifier diode but if the anode is held positive relative to the cathode no current flows until a positive current is injected into the gate. The diode then switches on and will now switch off until the anode-cathode voltage is removed. Hence the name CONTROLLED RECTIFIER. Fig. 2 shows the SCR as three-junction device.

Fig. 2 The Two-transistor Analogy of an SCR This can be regarded as two inter-connected two-junction transistors, one PNP and the other NPN.

If A is made positive relative to K, and G is left unconnected, no current will flow because each transistor gets its base-emitter current from the others collector emitter current. So, until one of the transistors is given some base current, nothing can happen.

If now a current is injected into the base of transistor 2, the resulting collector current flows in the base current of 2 and so on. Very rapidly the two transistors force each other to conduct to saturation; the current being limited only by resistance in the external circuit.

If the anode-cathode voltage is now reduced; the current also reduces until it goes below some critical value, and the transistors switch off again. Just as rapidly.

If a reverse voltage is applied to the SCR (anode negative to cathode) it behaves very much like an ordinary diode. No current passes until at, some high voltage, it breaks down completely.

Firstly we shall measure two important quantities of a forward-biased SCR. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE SCR Measurements Construct the circuit of fig. 4

Fig. 4 Test Circuit for Trigger Current Set the variable dc volts to 12V. Turn the potentiometer to zero (anti-clockwise) and switch on the supplies. Slowly rotate the potentiometer, observing the gate current meter continuously, until the lamp suddenly lights. Record the gate current at which this occurs. Switch off the supplies and return the potentiometer to zero.

Copy the results as shown in fig 5, reproduced at the end of this assignment for your results. Repeat the measurement several times to ensure that you have the correct value. What you have found is the TRIGGER CURRENT (IGT). Enter it to your table.

Question
1 Look back at fig 2. Do you expect the saturation voltage to be greater or less than 0.6V? Explain.

Yes, Because the two transistors one NPN and the other PNP force each other to conduct saturation and also our saturation is greater than 0.6 V.

Finally connect the milliammeter (on range 100mA) in series with the lamp as in fig 6.

Fig 6 Test Circuit for Holding Current Trigger the SCR on. The meter reads the lamp current for a 12 V supply voltage. Temporary disconnect the gate connection. Slowly reduce the supply voltage until the SCR current suddenly falls to zero. Note the value of the current at which this occurs. Repeat this procedure several times to ensure that you have the correct value. What you have found is the HOLDING CURRENT (IH). Enter this also into your table. NOTE: To switch an SCR ON the GATE CURRENT must be at least IGT. To switch an SCR OFF the ANODE CURRENT must be at most IH.

Question
2 What do you think will happen in the circuit of fig 4 if you trigger the SCR on, and then reduce the gate current to zero again? Confirm your answer by experiment. It will not turn on since the gate current is equal to zero.

Use of an Alternating Anode Supply We have found that the anode current must be reduced to below I H to switch the SCR off. This is the only way of switching off. You cannot do it by reducing the gate current. If the anode supply is an alternating voltage it will go negative every half-cycle, reducing the anode current to zero. Alter your circuit to fig 7, remember to use ac meters.

Fig 7 Test Circuit with an AC Supply

Questions
3 What do you observe now when you repeatedly increase and decrease the gate current? Explain. Increasing the gate current will turn on the lamp vice versa.

Why does the lamp burn less brightly than it did with the 12 V dc supply? Because the breakover voltage of the SCR requires high voltage

TRIGGER CURRENT (IGT) SATURATION VOLTAGE (VAK(SAT)) HOLDING CURRENT (IH) Fig 5 Table

mA V mA

1. 21mA 0.791 V 17mA

CONCLUSION We have concluded that when the SCR is reverse bias it will not conduct current. The SCR is reversed bias when the Cathode is more positive than the anode. Once the SCR is turned on removing the positive voltage cannot turn it off because the current flowing through the SCR causes it to remain on and it is called a holding current. The only way to turn it off is reducing the holding current which can be done by disconnecting the forward bias voltage to voltage with the switch. We also concluded that the SCR will turn on if the Cathode is negative the anode is positive and positive voltage is applied to the gate. We can also measure the resistance of SCR when it is forward bias otherwise it is infinity. The Holding current is the minimum value of anode current that holds the SCR in conduction. When the gate to the Cathode voltage exceeds a certain threshold, The device turns on and conducts current. This device will remain on as long as the current through the device is above the holding current. Once the current is below the Holding Current it will turn off.

Km. 54, National Highway, Makiling, Calamba City, Laguna COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS

EXPERIMENT NO. 1
The Silicon Controlled Rectifier

GRADE

Submitted by: Kristoffer, Punzalan V. ECE 4-2 Submitted to: Engr. Enrique Pioquinto Instructor December 3, 2012