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Experiment : 04

210701005, 210701072, 210701047

ROLL NO
GROUP : ______________________________________

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PURPOSE
The purpose of this lab is to study the VI characteristics of SCR,

READING MATERIAL
1. Power amplifier basics explained wonderfully

2. http://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/power/thyristor.html

3. V-I Characteristics of SCR | Modes of Operation of SCR - Electrical Volt

4. Section 11.2 of Floyd (textbook)

5. Tutorial on SCR Operation

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
• SCR

• Bread Board, connecting wires, resistors.

• Regulated power supply

THEORY
SCR is a silicon control rectifier that belongs to the thyristor
family. The SCR is a unidirectional semiconductor device that
allows current to flow in one direction only. The SCR is four layers
three-terminal device. The three terminals of the SCR are anode,
cathode, and gate. The SCR can be turned on by applying the
trigger pulse to the gate terminal. We can well understand the
SCR working by studying the vi characteristics of SCR.

VOLTAGE-AMPERE(V-I) CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

There are three modes of operation of SCR.

1. Forward Blocking Mode

2. Forward Conduction Mode

3. Reverse Blocking Mode

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Let us discuss the VI characteristics of SCR in different modes of operation.
Forward Blocking Mode of SCR
In the forward blocking mode, SCR remains in forwarding bias, but SCR does not conduct. When
the anode voltage is positive with respect to the cathode and
gate current is zero, the device remains in the off state.

In the forward blocking mode,

• J1 and J3 junction is in forward bias

• J2 junction is in reverse bias

• Very low leakage current flows through the device.

• SCR offers very high resistance.

• SCR remains in off State

However, we can turn on SCR by applying a high voltage between anode and cathode even if the
gate current is zero. The voltage at which the SCR turns on when the gate current is zero is the
forward break-over voltage.

Forward Conduction Mode of SCR

In forward conduction mode, we can make the SCR turn on at the lesser anode to cathode voltage
on the application of small gate voltage momentarily. The voltage cause gate current to flow. Thus,
the gate current pulse is sufficient to switch on the SCR at the lesser anode to cathode voltage.
The SCR remains on after the removal of the gate current pulse. The circuit diagram for getting the
forward conduction characteristics of the SCR is as given below.

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The SCR is in reverse bias when the positive voltage between gate and cathode. Now on the
application of gate current through switch S1, the J2 junction of SCR starts conducting and SCR is
in forwarding bias. Thus all three junctions (J1, J2, and J3) of SCR are now in forwarding bias.
Therefore, SCR starts conducting. The SCR offers very low resistance in forwarding conduction
mode.

Once the SCR starts conducting, the SCR remains in its on state even after removing of gate current
pulse.

Now, if the gate current is further increased, the device can be turned on even at the much lesser
forward anode to cathode voltage. The forward conduction, the forward blocking, and the reverse
blocking region are as depicted below.

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The device will remain in the on- state even after removing the gate pulse. The device will remain
in its on-state if the anode current is more than the latching current. When the anode current
reduces below the holding current the device turns off. The holding current is associated with the
turn-off mechanism of SCR. The latching current is always more than the holding current.

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Reverse Blocking Mode of SCR
When we connect the SCR in reverse bias- when the anode is negative with respect to the
cathode, the device remains in an off state because junction J1 and J3 are in reverse bias while
junction J2 is forward bias. The SCR acts as two diodes connected in the series with a reverse bias
applied across it. The device offers very high resistance.

The SCR can be turned on if the voltage across anode to cathode is above the reverse
breakdown voltage of the device.

The maximum reverse voltage at which the SCR starts conducting heavily is known as the reverse
break-over voltage.

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Important Terms in the V-I Characteristics of SCR
We use the following terms frequently while studying the V-I characteristics of the SCR.

1. Forward Break over Voltage

2. Latching current
3. Holding current
4. Forward anode current rating
5. Peak reverse voltage
6. Circuit fusing rating

1. Forward Break over Voltage

The minimum forward voltage at which SCR starts conducting in the absence of the gate current.
This minimum voltage is the forward break-over voltage of SCR. For example, the SCR of
forwarding break over voltage rating 500 volts remains in its off state when the voltage is below
500 volts, and it starts conducting when the voltage is equal to or above 500 volts.

2. Latching Current
The latching current is the minimum anode current at SCR that remains in on state after removing
of gate current. if the value of anode current is less than the latching current value. the SCR will
not continue to conduct.

3. Holding Current
It is the maximum anode current at which SCR turns off from it’s on the state. If the holding current
is 10 mA, the SCR will turn off if the anode current is less than 10 mA.

3. Peak Reverse Voltage

The peak reverse voltage is the maximum reverse voltage across SCR (Cathode -positive and anode
– negative) that can be safely applied without conducting the SCR.

This is a very important parameter. when SCR is used for controlled rectifies, the reverse voltage
applies during the negative half cycle and SCR must remain in its off state. The peak reverse voltage
of SCR should be always more than the peak negative voltage of AC voltage.

4. Forward Current Rating

The maximum anode current can flow through the SCR and it does not cause damage to SCR. The
SCR is available in different anode current ratings. A 50 ampere forward current rating SCR can
carry the current safely.

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If the current exceeds above SCR anode current rating, the device may fail. The semiconductor
devices are vulnerable to temperature. Therefore, the devices must be selected according to the
required current rating and surrounding ambient temperature.
5. Circuit Fusing Rating
The circuit fusing rating indicates the maximum forward surge current capability of SCR. The circuit
fusing rating depends on the current and time. The fusing rating of SCR is I2t. The heating of
SCR must be below the rated fusing rating for reliable SCR operation.

EXPERIMENT PROCEDURE
To Study operation of SCR:

1. Identify the PINs of SCR. Include this in your report.

2. Build the given circuit on breadboard.

3. Apply 5 volts at V1. Set V2=0

4. Increase V1 to 8V. And note the readings of V1 and A1

5. What does the reading of Voltmeter show; include this in your report.

6. Now increase V2 until gate is triggered and note latching current from A2. Include this in
your report.

7. Now once the Gate is triggered then increase V1 in steps and note A1 and V1 readings and
tabulate and draw a graph of VI. Include this in your report.

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For IG1 = 4mA

VS(V) Voltage Drop VG(V) I(mA)
(V)

1 0.607 5 0.040

2 0.630 5 0.104

3 0.647 5 0.238

4 0.662 5 0.343

5 0.673 5 0.442

7 0.690 5 0.642

9 0.704 5 0.838

12 0.736 5 1.135

20 0.755 5 1.935

23 0.761 5 2.237

25 0.764 5 2.4376

27 0.767 5 2.64

30 0.772 5 2.949

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Source Voltage Vs Current

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
1 2 3 4 5 7 9 12 20 23 25 27 30
Source Voltage (V)

For IG2 = 12mA

VS(V) Voltage Drop VG(V) I(mA)
(V)

1 0.676 12 0.036

3 0.681 12 0.241

5 0.685 12 0.434

7 0.690 12 0.633

9 0.695 12 0.838

12 0.701 12 1.136

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15 0.707 12 1.434

18 0.714 12 1.743

21 0.719 12 2.038

24 0.725 12 2.345

27 0.731 12 2.649

30 0.737 12 2.947

Source Voltage Vs Current

3.5

2.5

1.5

0.5

0
1 3 5 7 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30
Source Voltage (V)

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SIMULATION ON LT SPICE:

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