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SCR Operation and Waveform Analysis

The document provides a detailed explanation of the operation of a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR), including its conduction angles, how it turns on and off, and the voltage across it under various conditions. It also discusses applications of SCRs, such as in light dimmers and motor speed controllers, and describes the method of natural commutation for turning off the SCR. Additionally, calculations for gate and anode currents are presented, along with the effects of varying anode voltage.

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inshirahfutaih
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5 views3 pages

SCR Operation and Waveform Analysis

The document provides a detailed explanation of the operation of a Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR), including its conduction angles, how it turns on and off, and the voltage across it under various conditions. It also discusses applications of SCRs, such as in light dimmers and motor speed controllers, and describes the method of natural commutation for turning off the SCR. Additionally, calculations for gate and anode currents are presented, along with the effects of varying anode voltage.

Uploaded by

inshirahfutaih
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Solve questions:

Q1: Show the voltage waveform across the SCR for conduction
angles of 180°, 90°, and 45°.

At 180°, the SCR conducts for the entire positive half-cycle of the AC
waveform, so the voltage across it drops to nearly zero during that time.
At 90°, conduction begins halfway through the positive half-cycle, so
the voltage across the SCR is high at first and then drops when it turns
on. At 45°, conduction starts earlier in the cycle, so the voltage drops
sooner. The waveform shows a clipped sinusoid starting at the firing
angle.

Q2: Explain how the SCR turns on and off in the circuit.

The SCR turns on when the gate receives a triggering pulse while the
anode is positive relative to the cathode. It turns off automatically at the
end of the positive half-cycle when the AC voltage drops to zero,
stopping the anode current.

Q3: What is the voltage across the SCR if it is never triggered?


If the SCR is never triggered, it remains in the off state. The full supply
voltage (e.g., 120V) appears across its terminals.

Q4: What is the voltage across the SCR when there is load current?

When the SCR is conducting, the voltage across it is very low—


typically around 0.8V—due to its forward voltage drop.

Q5: If the potentiometer is set at its midpoint, during what part of


the input cycle will the SCR conduct?

At midpoint, the firing angle is approximately 90°, so the SCR will


conduct during the second half of the positive half-cycle.

Q6: How would you modify the circuit so the SCR conducts during
the negative half-cycle?

You could add a second SCR connected in reverse polarity or use a


diode bridge to invert the triggering signal, allowing conduction during
the negative half-cycle.

Q7: Give two examples of SCR applications. Draw and explain each
circuit.

1. Light Dimmer Circuit: An SCR controls the brightness of a lamp


by adjusting the firing angle.
2. Motor Speed Controller: An SCR regulates the voltage supplied
to a motor, controlling its speed. In both cases, the SCR acts as a
switch that controls power delivery based on the gate signal.

Q8: How does the SCR turn off in your experiment, and what is the
method called?

In the experiment, the SCR turns off automatically when the AC voltage
reaches zero. This method is called natural commutation.
Q9: Determine the gate current and anode current when SW1 is
momentarily closed. Given: VAK = 0.8V, VGK = 0.7V, IH = 20mA.

Gate current: IG=3V−0.7V / 560Ω ≈ 4.1 mA

Anode current: IA=24V−0.8V / 1000Ω ≈ 23.2 mA

Q10: Explain how the SCR turns on and off in the circuit of Q9.

The SCR turns on when SW1 is pressed, applying a gate pulse. It turns
off when SW2 is opened or when the anode current drops below the
holding
current (IH).

Q11: Will the SCR turn on if VA is reduced to 12V? Calculate and


explain.

Anode current: IA=12V−0.8V / 1000Ω ≈ 11.2mA

Since 11.2mA < IH (20mA), the SCR will not turn on.

Q12: What is the purpose of SW2?

SW2 disconnects the anode current, forcing the SCR to turn off by
reducing the current below the holding level.

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