SCR and Thyristors – Exam Style Questions
Disclaimer: these questions are generated using a chat bot. They
are not guaranteed to be out in test or exams
✅ SECTION A: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (MCQs)
1. Which of the following is not a terminal of an SCR?
a) Anode
b) Gate
c) Base
d) Cathode
Answer: c) Base
2. The SCR is equivalent to a combination of which two
transistors?
a) Two npn transistors
b) Two pnp transistors
c) One pnp and one npn transistor
d) One n-type and one p-type diode
Answer: c) One pnp and one npn transistor
3. Which of the following is the correct condition for the SCR to
turn ON?
a) IG = 0
b) IG > IH
c) IG = IH
d) IG < IH
Answer: b) IG > IH
4. The region J₂ in an SCR forms the junction between:
a) Anode and Gate
b) Collector and Base of both transistors
c) Gate and Cathode
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Collector and Base of both transistors
5. What is the significance of (α₁ + α₂) = 1 in SCR operation?
a) Device goes into OFF state
b) Device enters forward blocking
c) Device turns ON
d) Reverse conduction begins
Answer: c) Device turns ON
6. Which method of commutation uses the natural properties of
AC?
a) Forced
b) Self
c) Natural
d) Complementary
Answer: c) Natural
7. What happens if the SCR holding current is not maintained?
a) It remains ON
b) It turns OFF
c) It goes into reverse conduction
d) It triggers again
Answer: b) It turns OFF
8. The maximum safe gate current for an SCR is denoted as:
a) Iₐ
b) Iₕ
c) Igm
d) Vgm
Answer: c) Igm
9. Which of the following is not a voltage rating of an SCR?
a) Peak surge reverse voltage
b) RMS on-state current
c) On-state voltage drop
d) Gate trigger voltage
Answer: b) RMS on-state current
10. During forced commutation, which circuit component is
commonly used?
a) Diode
b) Capacitor
c) Zener
d) Inductor only
Answer: b) Capacitor
✅ SECTION B: FILL IN THE BLANKS
11. The reverse recovery current in an SCR is due to the presence
of __________ in the four layers.
Answer: charge carriers
12. In the two-transistor model of the SCR, the sum of the
collector currents is equal to the __________ current.
Answer: Anode
13. The SCR cannot be turned off using the __________ terminal.
Answer: gate
14. The point at which the SCR switches from the off-state to the
on-state is called the __________ point.
Answer: breakover
15. The __________ commutation method is used only in AC
circuits.
Answer: natural
16. The gate recovery time is denoted as __________.
Answer: tₚ
17. An SCR acts as a __________ switch.
Answer: bistable
18. The time interval between the instant anode current becomes
zero and the device blocks forward voltage is called __________.
Answer: turn-off time (tₒff)
19. The V-I characteristic of an SCR gate resembles that of a
__________.
Answer: pn diode
20. The duty cycle δ is given by the formula __________.
Answer: δ = T/T₁ or fT
✅ SECTION C: TRUE OR FALSE
21. The gate terminal of an SCR can be used to turn it off.
Answer: False
22. SCRs remain in the ON state after the gate signal is removed,
provided holding current is maintained.
Answer: True
23. Forced commutation is applied to choppers and inverters.
Answer: True
24. In a DC circuit, an SCR can naturally turn off without a
commutation circuit.
Answer: False
25. Reverse recovery time must elapse for the SCR to regain
forward blocking capability.
Answer: True
26. During OFF state, the current in SCR is very high.
Answer: False
27. A typical SCR has three junctions and four semiconductor
layers.
Answer: True
28. The holding current is the maximum current required to keep
the SCR in ON state.
Answer: False (It’s the minimum current.)
29. Anode current increases as (α₁ + α₂) approaches 1.
Answer: True
30. The turn-on of an SCR is controlled by a pulse at the cathode
terminal.
Answer: False (It’s controlled at the gate terminal.)
✅ SECTION D: ESSAY / SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS
31. Explain the two-transistor model of the SCR.
Answer:
The SCR can be modeled as two interconnected transistors: a pnp
transistor Q₁ and an npn transistor Q₂. The n-type base of Q₁
connects to the collector of Q₂, and the p-type collector of Q₁
forms the base of Q₂. The total anode current Iₐ is the sum of the
collector currents of both transistors. When gate current is
applied, regeneration occurs and the device latches into
conduction.
32. Describe the difference between natural and forced
commutation.
Answer:
Natural commutation occurs in AC circuits using the natural
reversal of current to turn off the SCR. Forced commutation is
required in DC circuits and uses external components (capacitors,
inductors) to create a reverse bias across the SCR for turn-off.
33. State and explain the condition required for an SCR to turn
ON.
Answer:
The SCR turns ON when the sum of α₁ and α₂ (common-base
current gains of Q₁ and Q₂) approaches 1. At this point, the anode
current increases rapidly due to regenerative feedback between
the two transistors.
34. List the voltage ratings of an SCR.
Answer:
Peak working forward blocking voltage
Peak surge forward blocking voltage
Peak reverse blocking voltage
Peak repetitive reverse voltage
On-state voltage drop
Gate trigger voltage
Voltage safety factor
Forward dv/dt rating
35. What is the significance of holding current in SCR operation?
Answer:
The holding current is the minimum current required to keep the
SCR conducting. If the anode current drops below this value, the
SCR turns OFF even if the gate signal remains.
36. Explain the concept of gate recovery time (tₚ).
Answer:
Gate recovery time is the time needed for recombination of
excess charge carriers in the junction J₂ after the anode current
drops to zero. Only after this time can the SCR block forward
voltage again.
37. Describe the process of turn-off in line-commutated circuits.
Answer:
In line-commutated circuits, the SCR turns off naturally when the
AC voltage reverses. The reverse recovery current decays, trapped
charges recombine, and the junctions regain blocking capability.
38. What is meant by the term “latching current”?
Answer:
Latching current is the minimum anode current required to
maintain conduction in an SCR immediately after it is turned ON
and the gate pulse is removed.
39. List and briefly explain any three types of forced
commutation.
Answer:
Class A: Uses resonant load
Class B: Self-commutation using capacitor discharge
Class C: Auxiliary commutation with an auxiliary SCR and capacitor
40. Why can't an SCR be turned off by the gate terminal?
Answer:
The SCR is a latching device. Once turned ON, it remains
conducting due to internal regeneration, and removing gate
current has no effect. It can only be turned off by reducing the
anode current below the holding level.