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NOTE
Experiment No. 1
SCR Characteristics
✎ Objectives
1. To obtain V-l characteristics and to find on-state forward resistance of given
SCR
2. To determine holding, latching current and break over voltage of given SCR.

☑ Materials

SI. Name of the apparatus/

Range/Rating Quantity
No. equipment/ components
1 SCR 4 A, 600 V (2N5060 or any 1 pc
Equivalent)
2 Variable D.C Supply 0-35 V 2 pcs
3 MC type Voltmeter / Multimeter 0-300 V 1 pcs
4 MC type Ammeter/ Multimeter 0-5 A 2 pcs
5 Wattage Resistors 100kΩ (5W), 4.7kΩ (5 W) 1pc (each)
6 Potentiometer 10kΩ(0.5W), 100kΩ(0.5W) 1pc (each)
7 Breadboard 1pc
8 Connecting wires

☑ Characteristics

An SCR is a four-layer three-terminal semiconductor switching device of PNPN

structure with three PN-Junctions. The three terminals are anode, cathode and gate.
The thyristor symbol and the sectional view of PN junctions are shown below SCRs are
manufactured by diffusion.

(a)
(b)
Cross
SCR
Section
Symbol
View of
When the anode SCR voltage is made positive with
respect to the cathode, the junction J1 and J3 are forward biased. The junction J2 is reverse
biased and only the small leakage current flows from positive to negative. The thyristor is then
said to be in forward blocking or off-state condition and the leakage current is known as off-state
current ID. If the anode-to-cathode voltage VAK is increased to a sufficiently large value, the
reverse-biased junction J2 will break. This is known as avalanche breakdown and the
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corresponding voltage is called forward breakdown voltage VBO. Since the other junctions, J1
and J3 are already forward-biased There will be free movement of carriers across all three
junctions, resulting, in large forward anode current. The device will be in a conducting state or on
the state. The voltage drop would be due to the ohmic drop in the four layers and it is small,
typically 1V. In the on the state, the anode current is limited by external impedance or resistance.
The anode current must be more than a value Known as latching current l L, in order to maintain
the required amount of carrier flow across the junction. Otherwise, the device will revert to the
blocking condition as the anode to cathode the voltage is reduced.

(c)
V-I Characteristics of SCR
☑ Circuit Diagram

☑ Procedure

1. Connections are made as shown in Figure 2.

2. Set R1 and R2 to the mid position and V1 and V2 minimum.
3. Set the gate current Ig, such that forward break over voltage is between 15 to 20 V by
varying R 2 and V2.
4. Slowly vary V1 in steps of 2V and note down VAK and IA at each step still SCR conducts.
(Note: Minimum VAK, which forward break over voltage just before SCR conducts). Finding
Latching Current:
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1 Ensure that the SCR is in the state of conduction.

2 Start reducing anode voltage (VAK) in steps of 2V; simultaneously check the state of SCR
by switching off gate supply V2. If SCR switches off just by removing gate terminal and
switches on by connecting gate supply, then the corresponding anode current IA is the
latching current (IL) for the SCR.

Finding Holding Current:

1. Ensure that the SCR is in the state of conduction.

2. Switch off the gate supply permanently.
3. Start reducing (VAK) anode voltage in steps of 2V; simultaneously check the state of
SCR. If SCR switches off. Note down the anode current (IA) just before it drops to zero,
which will be IH.
4. Reverse the anode voltage polarity.
5. Vary VAK in steps of 5V to 25V and note down VAK and IA values at each step.
6. Plot forward and reverse characteristics using the above-tabulated values. Find the SCR
forward resistance using the graph.
7. Repeat the above procedure for the forward and reverse characteristics of SCR for a gate
current Ig = Ig2.

Tabular Column

Gate Current Ig = 6mA.

Vak (V) Iak (A)

15v 7mA
20v 8mA
22v 10mA
25v 12mA

☑ Self-Test

1. Explain the working operation of the VI characteristics of the SCR.

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The Anode to Cathode Terminal Voltage and the Gate to Cathode Terminal Voltage both affect how much current
flows through the SCR.

2. Define Holding Current, Latching Current, and Breakdown Voltage.

The holding current is the smallest amount of current that should flow through a circuit to maintain the "on" state
for various devices such as electronic, electrical, and electromagnetic devices. The latching current is the
smallest amount of anode current needed to maintain the thyristor in the ON state instantly. The breakdown
voltage is the lowest voltage needed to make an insulator conduct some electricity. It is also detached when a
thyristor is turned on.

3. List the different modes of operation of SCR.

Depending on the biasing given to it, an SCR can operate in the forward blocking mode (off state), forward
conduction mode (on state), and reverse blocking mode (off state)

4. Why is an SCR operated only in Forward Biased Condition?

SCR can be changed from blocking to conducting mode with just a little voltage applied to the anode and
cathode, as well as a positive voltage applied to the gate terminal. In this mode of operation, current passes via
the SCR, which is forward biased. It is called Forward Conducting Mode as a result.

5. Once the SCR is triggered, the gate loses control. Why?

This is because when the gate signal is applied, the thyristor undergoes regenerative action.

6. What is the effect of gate voltage, once SCR starts conducting?

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The SCR conducts as a result of the gate current. This approach applies a constant gate signal (DC Voltage) at
the gate, resulting in internal power dissipation (or more power loss).

7. List three applications of SCR.

SCRs regulate power conversions, battery charging, and motor speed.

☑ Conclusion
In conclusion, the SCR is appropriate for use in medium- to high-voltage devices due to its capacity to switch
huge currents on and off.

☑ Thyristor application circuits

Question 1:
The circuit shown here indicates which pushbutton switch has been actuated first. After
actuating any one of the three pushbutton switches (and energizing its respective lamp), none
of the other lamps can be made to energize:
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Ans.

Explain how this circuit works. Why can’t any of the other lamps turn on once any one of them has
been energized? Also, explain how the circuit could be modified so as to provide a "reset" to turn
all lamps off again.

Question 2:
The following circuit exhibits very interesting behavior.

When the power is first turned on, neither lamp will energize. If either pushbutton switch is then
momentarily actuated, the lamp controlled by that SCR will energize. If, after one of the lamps has
been energized, the other pushbutton switch is then actuated, its lamp will energize the other lamp
will de-energize.

Stated simply, each pushbutton switch not only serves to energize its respective lamp, but it also
serves to de-energize the other lamp as well. Explain how this is possible. It should be no mystery
to you why each switch turns on its respective lamp, but how is the other switch able to exert
control over the other SCR, to turn it off?
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Hint: the secret is in the capacitor, connected between the two SCRs' anode 1 terminals
Ans.

The circuit exhibits parallel capacitor, forced commutation circuit. When one SCR fires, the
capacitor is effectively connected in parallel with the other SCR, causing it to drop out due to low
current.

Additional Attachments/Evidence for Simulation Results