ABSTRACT

This report presents an investigation into the operation and characteristics of the Silicon
Controlled Rectifier (SCR), a widely used semiconductor device in power electronics. The
experiment aimed to understand the SCR's basic principles, including its triggering mechanism,
turn-on and turn-off behaviors, and its voltage-current (V-I) characteristics. By constructing a
simple SCR circuit, the device’s response to gate triggering was observed, and its ability to
control current flow in both DC and AC circuits was examined. Key parameters such as break-
over voltage, holding current, and the effect of gate voltage on triggering were measured and
analyzed. The results demonstrated the SCR's ability to act as an efficient, controlled switch with
applications in power regulation, motor speed control, and light dimming. The SCR’s capability
to remain in the conducting state once triggered, until the current falls below the holding current,
was confirmed. Overall, the experiment provided valuable insights into the SCR’s functionality
and its role in modern power electronics.

INTRODUCTION

Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) Overview

A Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is a four-layer semiconductor device that is primarily

used for switching and controlling power in electrical circuits. It is a type of thyristor, a family
of devices known for their ability to handle high voltage and high current in both AC and DC
circuits. The SCR is widely used in applications such as AC power control, motor speed
regulation, light dimming, and overcurrent protection.

The basic structure of an SCR consists of four alternating layers of semiconductor material
(PNPN), forming three junctions. These three junctions are labeled J1, J2, and J3. The three
terminals of an SCR are:

1. Anode (A): Connected to the positive terminal of the power supply or load.
2. Cathode (K): Connected to the negative terminal of the load.
3. Gate (G): Used to trigger the SCR into conduction (turn it on).

The working principle of the SCR is based on its ability to control the flow of current when a
triggering voltage is applied to the gate.

Key Characteristics of SCR:

 Forward Blocking: When the anode is positive with respect to the cathode, but the gate
is not triggered, the SCR remains in the off state, blocking current flow.
 Triggering: When a small voltage is applied to the gate, the SCR is turned on and begins
to conduct current from anode to cathode, even without further gate input.
 Latch State: Once the SCR is conducting, it remains in this conducting state until the
current through it falls below a threshold known as the holding current.
 Reverse Blocking: If the anode is made negative with respect to the cathode, the SCR
remains in the off state, and it does not conduct current in this condition.
The SCR is often used for switching applications due to its ability to withstand high power, its
fast response time, and its latching behavior, which reduces the need for continuous gate
triggering once it has been switched on.

Applications of SCR

SCRs are essential in various applications involving the control of electrical power. Some key
applications include:

1. AC Power Control: SCRs are used in devices like phase-control dimmers for
controlling the brightness of lights or adjusting the speed of motors by adjusting the
phase angle of the AC waveform.
2. Motor Speed Control: SCRs can regulate the speed of motors by controlling the amount
of voltage supplied, effectively reducing energy consumption and heat generation.
3. Voltage Regulation and Rectifiers: SCRs are employed in power supplies for
rectification and voltage regulation, such as in uninterrupted power supplies (UPS).
4. Overcurrent Protection: SCRs are used in circuits designed to protect against
overcurrent conditions by interrupting the flow of electricity when needed.

Hypothesis

In this experiment, the hypothesis can be based on the expected behavior of the Silicon
Controlled Rectifier (SCR) when subjected to different conditions of triggering, voltage, and
current

Hypothesis for the SCR Experiment:

1. Triggering and Conducting State:

o If a small positive voltage (gate trigger) is applied to the gate of the SCR, the
SCR will conduct current between the anode and cathode, even if no further gate
signal is applied. Once triggered, the SCR will remain in the conducting state,
allowing current to flow, until the current through the device falls below the
holding current threshold.
2. Breakover Voltage:
o If the forward voltage across the SCR is gradually increased without a gate
pulse, the SCR will conduct once the forward voltage exceeds the breakover
voltage (the threshold voltage), and it will turn on without the need for further
triggering.
3. Holding Current:
o If the current through the SCR is reduced below the holding current, the
SCR will turn off and stop conducting. Therefore, the SCR will only remain in the
conducting state as long as the current remains above the holding current
threshold.
4. V-I Characteristics:
 o When the SCR is triggered, the current will rise steeply with a minimal voltage
drop, indicating the SCR is in its on-state. As the current increases, the voltage
drop will stabilize at a constant low value typical of SCRs in the conducting state.
5. Effect of Gate Triggering:
o If different gate trigger voltages are applied, the SCR will start conducting at
lower anode voltages for higher gate trigger voltages. The SCR will be more
easily triggered and may start conducting earlier with a higher gate voltage.

THEORY OF SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIER (SCR)

Introduction to SCR

A Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is a type of semiconductor device used primarily for
controlling power in electrical circuits. It belongs to the family of thyristors, which are devices
that can switch between conductive and non-conductive states. The SCR is especially popular in
applications requiring high-voltage and high-current control, such as in AC power control,
motor speed regulation, lighting control, and overcurrent protection.

The SCR is a four-layer (PNPN) device, consisting of three PN junctions and three terminals:
the anode, the cathode, and the gate. The SCR operates as a latching switch, which remains on
once triggered and continues to conduct until the current through it is reduced below a certain
threshold.

Construction of an SCR

An SCR is made up of four alternating layers of P and N material (PNPN). The three PN
junctions are labeled J1, J2, and J3. The device has three terminals:

1. Anode (A): The positive terminal, connected to the high-voltage side of the circuit.
2. Cathode (K): The negative terminal, connected to the low-voltage side of the circuit.
3. Gate (G): The control terminal used to trigger the device into conduction.

The internal structure of an SCR can be understood by its junctions:

 J1 (P-N junction) between the anode and the first P-layer.

 J2 (N-P junction) between the first N-layer and the second P-layer.
 J3 (P-N junction) between the second P-layer and the cathode.

Working Principle of SCR

The operation of an SCR can be described in three key states: off state (blocking), on state
(conducting), and triggered state.
1. Off State (Blocking State)

When the SCR is not triggered (no gate voltage applied) and there is no forward bias between the
anode and cathode, the SCR remains in the off state. In this state, no current flows through the
SCR, as it behaves like an open switch. In reverse bias (when the anode is negative with respect
to the cathode), the SCR will also block the current, similar to how a diode behaves in reverse
bias.

 Junctions Behavior:
o In the off state, Junction J2 (the middle junction) is reverse-biased, preventing
current flow between the anode and cathode.

2. Triggered State (Gate Triggering)

To turn the SCR on, a small positive voltage (known as the gate trigger or gate current) is
applied to the gate terminal. When a positive voltage is applied to the gate, Junction J2 (the
middle junction) becomes forward-biased, and a small current flows from the anode to the
cathode through the SCR. This current causes the device to latch on and start conducting. Once
this happens, the SCR will remain in the conducting state, even if the gate voltage is removed.

 Gate Triggering Effect:

o The small current from the gate triggers the breakdown of Junction J2. This
allows current to flow from the anode to the cathode, thus "turning on" the SCR.

3. On State (Conduction State)

Once the SCR is triggered, it enters the on state and acts as a closed switch, allowing a large
current to flow from the anode to the cathode. In this state, the SCR has a very low voltage drop
(typically between 1 to 2 volts), and it can conduct large amounts of current with minimal
resistance. Once the SCR is conducting, it remains on as long as the current through it is greater
than the holding current.

 Junctions Behavior:
o In the conducting state, Junctions J1 and J3 are forward biased, while J2 remains
in a conducting state, allowing current to pass freely from the anode to the
cathode.

4. Turn-Off (Reversal of Current Below Holding Current)

The SCR will only turn off when the current flowing through it is reduced below the holding
current—the minimum current required to keep the device in its conducting state. When the
current drops below this threshold, the SCR automatically turns off, and the device returns to its
off state.

 Junctions Behavior:
o Once the current through the SCR falls below the holding current, J2 becomes
reverse-biased, turning off the device and blocking any further current flow.
Key Parameters of SCR

1. Breakover Voltage:
o This is the minimum voltage required to turn the SCR on when no gate current is
applied. It is the voltage at which the SCR will begin to conduct by itself. Once
the voltage exceeds this threshold, the device starts conducting, even without a
trigger pulse at the gate.
2. Gate Triggering:
o The SCR can be turned on by applying a small voltage or current to the gate
terminal. This voltage is much smaller compared to the voltage across the anode
and cathode. The gate current causes the breakdown of Junction J2, initiating
conduction between the anode and cathode.
3. Holding Current:
o This is the minimum current required to keep the SCR in the conducting state. If
the current through the device falls below this threshold, the SCR will turn off and
return to the off state. The holding current depends on the physical properties of
the SCR and the current characteristics.
4. Forward Voltage Drop:
o Once the SCR is conducting, it exhibits a small voltage drop across its terminals
(typically 1-2V), which is due to the internal resistance of the device.

V-I Characteristics of SCR

The voltage-current (V-I) characteristic curve of an SCR is crucial for understanding its
operation. It typically shows the following:

1. Off State (Blocking Region): When the SCR is in its off state, the current is zero, and
the voltage can be high (depending on the supply voltage). The SCR blocks the current
flow.
2. Triggering Region: If the voltage reaches the breakover voltage or a gate pulse is
applied, the SCR will switch from the off state to the on state, and current begins to flow.
3. On State (Conduction Region): Once the SCR is on, the voltage across the SCR is low,
and the current through the device increases rapidly. The device operates as a closed
switch, with a very small voltage drop (typically 1-2V).
4. Turn-Off: The SCR will turn off when the current through it is reduced below the
holding current, and the device returns to its off state.

Applications of SCR

SCRs are widely used in various power control and switching applications:
 1. Phase-Controlled Rectifiers: SCRs are commonly used in rectifiers for controlling the
amount of power delivered to the load by adjusting the phase of the AC signal.
2. Motor Speed Control: SCRs are used to regulate the speed of motors by controlling the
amount of voltage supplied to the motor.
3. Overcurrent Protection: SCRs are used in circuits to protect against overcurrent by
switching off the power when the current exceeds a certain threshold.
4. Light Dimming: In light dimmer circuits, SCRs are used to control the brightness by
adjusting the phase of the AC waveform.
5. Power Supplies: SCRs are used for voltage regulation in power supplies to ensure stable
output voltage.
6. AC Circuit Control: SCRs are used to control the flow of AC power in various
appliances such as heaters, air conditioners, and welding machines.

Conclusion

The Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is an essential component in modern power electronics,
offering efficient, reliable, and cost-effective control of electrical power in both AC and DC
circuits. Its ability to switch between on and off states based on small gate signals, combined
with its capacity to handle large currents and voltages, makes it ideal for applications like power
control, motor speed regulation, and overcurrent protection. By understanding the operation,
characteristics, and applications of the SCR, engineers can design efficient power control
systems that meet the demands of modern electrical circuits.