Silicon-
Controlled
Rectifiers
What is a Silicon-Controlled Rectifier?
Silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) They belong to the family of
is a three-terminal and four- thyristors. They are
layer unidirectional current- constructed from silicon and
controlling semiconductor are most commonly used for
device. The four layers are converting AC current to DC
PNPN, the three Junctions are current (rectification). These
labelled as J1 , J2 and J3 and the are used in devices that
three terminals are anode, require the control of high
cathode and gate. power and high voltage.
The three operation modes
1. Forward blocking Mode (OFF state) :-
The SCR is forward biased but there is no current
flow.
2. Forward conducting mode (ON state)
:- We increase the forward bias voltage beyond
the breakdown voltage or apply a positive voltage
to the gate terminal. The depletion region
breakdown occurs and current starts to flow.
3. Reverse blocking mode (OFF state) :-
The small leakage current that flows is not enough
to turn on the device.
How does it operate?
Whenever the P layer near the anode is made more positive compared to N layer near the
cathode, Junctions J1 and J3 get forward biased. Whereas, the middle junction J2 gets reverse
biased. A depletion layer and no current flows through the device. Due to the drift of mobile
charge carriers, a small amount of leakage current flows but it not enough for the device to
conduct.
Whenever the N layer near the cathode is more positive compared to P layer near the anode,
junctions J1 and J3 are in reverse biased and middle junction J2 get forward biased. Junctions J1
and J3 do not allow any amount of current to flow through the device.
By increasing the voltage across the anode and cathode, the width of the depletion layer at the
junction J2 is reduced. At some particular voltage, avalanche breakdown occurs. As junctions J1
and J3 are already in the forward biased condition, there exists a free carrier movement from
anode to cathode. As a result, the device starts conducting.
VI Characteristics graph
Some Important terms
Latching Current Holding current
The minimum current which anode The minimum value of current
must attain to continue to remain in below which anode current must
forward conduction mode even fall to come in OFF state.
when gate current is removed.
Reverse recovery time Gate recovery time
The duration required for the SCR to The time required for the gate
switch from forward conducting state current to return to zero after the
to reverse blocking state after the SCR has been turned off and the
anode current becomes zero. gate signal is removed.
Triggering Methods
Forward Voltage Gate triggering dv/dt triggering
Triggering By applying a positive By applying a rapid rate of
By applying a positive voltage gate current. rise of forward voltage
between the anode and (dv/dt) across the device.
cathode terminals.
Light Triggering Temperature Gate assisted
By exposing the light- triggering triggering
sensitive silicon wafer to Utilizes change in temperature An auxiliary SCR or transistor
a rapid pulse of light. to trigger the SCR is used to control the gate
current of the main SCR.
Advantages
• High voltage and current handling capability.
• Simple triggering circuit so it has a fast switching speed.
• Low voltage drop and negligible power scattering
• Ability to control large amounts of power with a small gate
signal.
Disadvantages
• Gate triggering can be sensitive to noise
• Unidirectional conduction
• Potential for voltage spikes
• Lack of inherent turn-off capability
• Limited frequency response
Applications
● AC Power Control: They can be used for AC power
control in power control switches such as fan
dimmers, power regulators, and motor control, etc.
● Controlled Bridge Rectifiers: They are used in AC to
DC converters for the rectification of AC power into
DC power, such as half-wave and full-wave rectifiers
● DC Power Transmission: The Silicon Controlled
Rectifier is used in power electronic devices for
controlling the power of switching loads.
● Crowbar Circuits: They used to protect circuits from
overvoltage conditions by short-circuiting the load,
effectively clamping the voltage.
Thank you
Presented by :-
Spriha Ganguly (503)
Sri Akshaya (502)