Professional Documents
Culture Documents
com/scr-applications
Home
About
Datasheets
Lab Manual
Testing Components
Ads by Google DC Power Supply Circuit Project LED Circuit Electronics Circuit
« Full wave rectifier using SCR
Versatile emergency lamp. »
SCR Applications
jojo
September - 15 - 2009
1 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
The ability of an SCR to control large currents to a load by means of small gate current makes the device very useful in switching
7 and control applications. A few of the possible applications for the SCR are listed in the introduction to SCR blog post.
Share
Here we will consider six applications of SCR like power control, switching, zero-voltage switching, over-voltage protection,
pulse circuits and battery charging regulator.
1. Power Control.
The bistable states (conducting and non-conducting) of the SCR and the property that enables fast transition from one state to the other
are made use of in the control of power in both ac and dc circuits.
2 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
In ac circuits the SCR can be turned-on by the gate at any angle α with respect to applied voltage. This angle α is called the firing angle
and power control is obtained by varying the firing angle. This is known as phase control. A simple half-wave circuit is shown in figure a.
for illustrating the principle of phase control for an inductive load. The load current, load voltage and supply voltage waveforms are shown
in figure b. The SCR will turn-off by natural commutation when the current becomes zero. Angle β is known as the conduction angle. By
varying the firing angle a, the rms value of the load voltage can be varied. The power consumed by the load decreases with the increase in
firing angle a. The reactive power input from the supply increases with the increase in firing angle. The load current wave-form can be
improved by connecting a free-wheeling diode D1, as shown by the dotted line in fig-a. With this diode, SCR will be turned-off as soon as
the input voltage polarity reverses. After that, the load current will free wheel through the diode and a reverse voltage will appear across
the SCR. The main advantage of phase control is that the load current passes through a natural zero point during every half cycle. So, the
device turns-off by itself at the end of every conducting period and no other commutating circuit is required.
Power control in dc circuits is obtained by varying the duration of on-time and off-time of the device and such a mode of operation is
called on-off control or chopper control. Another important application of SCRs is in inverters, used for converting dc into ac. The input
frequency is related to the triggering frequency of SCRs in the inverters. Thus, variable frequency supply can be easily obtained and used
for speed control of ac motors, induction heating, electrolytic cleaning, fluorescent lighting and several other applications. Because of the
large power-handling capacity of the SCRs, the SCR controlled inverter has more or less replaced motor-generator sets and magnetic
frequency multipliers for generating high frequency at large power ratings.
During positive half cycle capacitor C2 gets charged through diode D1, pot R, and diode D4. When the capacitor gets fully charged,
(charge on the capacitor depending upon the value of R) it discharges through Zener diode Z. This gives a pulse to the primary and thereby
secondary of the transformer T2. Thus SCR2, which is forward biased, is turned on and conducts through load RL. During negative half
cycle similar action takes place due to charging of capacitor C1 and SCR1 is triggered. Thus power to a load is controlled by using SCRs.
2. Switching.
Thyristor, being bistable device is widely used for switching of power signals owing to their long life, high operation speed and freedom
3 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Figure shows a circuit in which two SCRs are used for making and breaking an ac circuit. The input voltage is alternating and the trigger
pulses are applied to the gates of SCRs through the control switch S. Resistance R is provided in the gate circuit to limit the gate current
while resistors R1 and R2 are to protect the diodes D1 and D2 respectively.
For starting the circuit, when switch S is closed, SCR1 will fire at the beginning of the positive half-cycle (the gate trigger current is
assumed to be very small) because during positive half cycle SCR1 is forward biased. It will turn-off when the current goes through the
zero value. As soon as SCR1 is turned-off, SCR2 will fire since the voltage polarity is already reversed and it gets the proper gate current.
The circuit can be broken by opening the switch S. Opening of gate circuit poses no problem, as current through this switch is small. As no
further gate signal will be applied to the SCRs when switch S is open, the SCRs will not be triggered and the load current will be zero. The
maximum time delay for breaking the circuit is one half-cycle.
Thus several hundred amperes of load current can be switched on/off simply by handling gate current of few mA by an ordinary
switch. The above circuit is also called the static contactor because it does not have any moving part.
DC circuit breaker
4 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
As shown in figure, Capacitor C provides the required commutation of the main SCR since the current does not have a natural zero value
in a dc circuit. When the SCR1 is in conducting state, the load voltage will be equal to the supply voltage and the capacitor C will be
charged through resistor R. The circuit is broken by turning-off SCR1. This is done by firing SCR2, called the auxiliary SCR. Capacitor C
discharges through SCR2 and SCR1. This discharge current is in opposite direction to that flowing through SCR1 and when the two
become equal SCR2 turns-off. Now capacitor C gets charged through the load and when the capacitor C gets fully charged, the SCR2
tums-off. Thus the circuit acts as a dc circuit breaker. The resistor R is taken of such a value that current through R is lower than that of
holding current.
5 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
4. Over-Voltage Protection.
6 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
5. Pulse Circuits.
SCR-Pulse Circuit
SCRs are used for producing high voltage/current pulses of desired waveform and duration. The capacitor C is charged during the positive
half cycle of the input supply and the SCR is triggered during the negative half-cycle. The capacitor will discharge through the output
circuit, and when the SCR forward current becomes zero, it will turn-off. The output circuit is designed to have discharge current of less
than a milli-second duration. The capacitor will again get charged in the following positive half-cycle and the SCR will be triggered again
in the negative half-cycle. Thus the frequency of the output pulse will be equal to the frequency of the input supply. For limiting the
charging current resistor R is used. High voltage/current pulses can be used in spot welding, electronic ignition in automobiles, generation
of large magnetic fields of short duration, and in testing of insulation.
7 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
The basic components of the circuits are shown in figure. Diodes D1 and D2 are to establish a full-wave rectified signal across SCR1 and
the 12 V battery to be charged. When the battery is in discharged condition, SCR 2 is in the off-state as will be clear after
discussion. When the full-wave rectified input is large enough to give the required turn-on gate current (controlled by resistor R1), SCR1
will turn on and the charging of the battery will commence. At the commencement of charging of battery, voltage VR determined by the
simple voltage-divider circuit is too small to cause 11.0 V zener conduction. In the off-state Zener diode is effectively an open-circuit
maintaining SCR2 in the off-state because of zero gate current. The capacitor C is included in the circuit to prevent any voltage transients
in the circuit from accidentally turning on of the SCR2. As charging continues, the battery voltage increases to a point when VR is large
enough to both turn on the 11.0 V Zener diode and fire SCR2. Once SCR2 has fired, the short circuit representation for SCR2 will result in
a voltage-divider circuit determined by R1 and R2 that will maintain V2 at a level too small to turn SCR1 on. When this occurs, the battery
is fully charged and the open-circuit state of SCR1 will cut off the charging current. Thus the regulator charges the battery whenever the
voltage drops and prevents overcharging when fully charged. There are many more applications of SCRs such as in soft start circuits, logic
and digital circuits, but it is not possible to discuss all these here.
8 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
9 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
ShareThis
Translate
Delivered by FeedBurner
Gadgets powered by Google
10 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Posted in Tutorials
Tags: SCR, Thyristors
2. Bade3 says:
January 1, 2010 at 5:33 pm
good circuits , can i get some real circuit for 100 watt ac power controller ?
thanks all
thank u!!
4. chandra says:
January 23, 2010 at 12:29 am
5. Danny says:
April 16, 2010 at 10:08 pm
11 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
I wonder if you could perhaps help with values to the full wave speed control using 2 SCR’s and caps, diodes and pot to adjust the
point on the wave of starting to conduct for both half cycles.
I need it to switch currents on 250V AC with currents up to 6A. I am using SCR’s rated at 8A. My circuit veroboard just blew up
after 30years. It was a trade test project way back in the 1970′s
Good day..
May I know the exact specification on every component if this circuit?
Thanks a lot.
Good day..
May I know the exact specification on every component if this circuit? (BATERY CHARGING REGULATOR CIRCUIT)
Thanks a lot.
8. seetharaman says:
June 16, 2010 at 2:51 am
Hi Edgardo this is only an indication of different type of SCR application. a typical cicuit can be seen on
http://www.circuitstoday.com/battery-charger-circuit-using-scrthe project
12 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
The 3 phase electric power is common way of alternating current transmission and it is a type of polyphase system and is the normal
way used by electric power distribution grids to distribute power. That looks like exactly the 3 phase alternator I’ve been looking
for.
Leave a Reply
Name (required)
Website
Search
13 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Custom Search
Delivered by FeedBurner
Category
555 Timer IC (11)
amplifiers (8)
Audio Circuits (80)
Automotive Circuits (25)
Battery Related (20)
Bells & Tone generator circuits (20)
Cable TV (1)
Camera (5)
Clipping and Clamping Circuits (7)
Clocks & Timers (2)
Components (31)
Conversion Circuits (4)
Counter Circuits (2)
Counters (3)
Digital Electronics (7)
Electronic Books (1)
14 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
15 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Most Discussed
150 Watt amplifier circuit (370)
100 Watt sub woofer amplifier. (211)
Suggest a Topic to Publish & Win a 8GB Pen Drive (202)
Automatic LED Emergency Light-Modified Version (171)
16 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
17 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Pages
18 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
About
Datasheets
Lab Manuals
Electronic Circuits Lab
Microcontroller lab
Microprocessor Lab
Privacy Policy
Project Contests
Testing Components
Recent Posts
Stereo sound level indicator
Augmented Reality (AR) Technology
3 channel audio splitter
Apply for Technical Assistant/Project Design Engineer at IIT Bombay
Low pass filter for subwoofer
Remote Operated Spy Robot Circuit
Apply for Application Engineer post at KLA Tencor Corporation
KIOCL is hiring Graduate Engineer Trainees
Remote Control Circuit Through RF Without Microcontroller
PYROS 2K11 – National Level Technical Festival
Basics of Microcontrollers
Happy New Year to Everyone
Introduction to PIC
Apply for Research Assistant & Technical Assistant Post in NIT Tiruchirapally
Announcing Winner of Suggest a Topic to Publish Contest
Random Posts
19 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Working of Scanner
20 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Op-Amp Comparator
21 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
22 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Follow Us in Facebook
23 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Circuitstoday.com on Facebook
Like
Circuitstoday.com on Facebook
Recent Comments
akash gopi on 100 Watt inverter circuit
jojo on Remote Control Circuit Through RF Without Microcontroller
Seetharaman on Lead acid battery charger circuit
G P Koruthu on Remote Control Circuit Through RF Without Microcontroller
VALENTINAS on Lead acid battery charger circuit
kamal on One transistor code lock
kamal on One transistor code lock
amin on Happy New Year to Everyone
Seetharaman on Automatic LED Emergency Light
rashid on Announcing Winner of Suggest a Topic to Publish Contest
Blogroll
Electrical circuits
Seminar Topics
24 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM
SCR Applications http://www.circuitstoday.com/scr-applications
Recent Posts
Stereo sound level indicator
Augmented Reality (AR) Technology
3 channel audio splitter
Apply for Technical Assistant/Project Design Engineer at IIT Bombay
Low pass filter for subwoofer
Remote Operated Spy Robot Circuit
Apply for Application Engineer post at KLA Tencor Corporation
KIOCL is hiring Graduate Engineer Trainees
Remote Control Circuit Through RF Without Microcontroller
PYROS 2K11 – National Level Technical Festival
Popular Tags
1.3V power supply 2N2222 2N3055 15A power supply 555 IC 555 timer 8085 lab manual AM demodulator amplifier circuit amplifiers AM radio Am receiver circuit
audio circuit battery charger Camera CCD circuit design circuit diagram Clippers CMOS Active Pixel Sensor Components current
amplifier circuit device protection Diac Digital Electronics diode Electron-Beam Lithography electronic circuit Electronic Circuits Electronic
Instruments electronics circuits lab emergency light crcuit fabrication technique Filter Circuits Fire alarm circuit FM stations FM transmitter Gadget Reviews high
hobby circuits hobby projects Home Circuits IC Integrated Circuits Inverters Lab Manuals LED
current power supply. 12v 15A power supply
lighting circuit Light to Frequency converter circuit Liquid Crystal Display Mains Operated LED microphone preamplifier microprocessor lab manual NE555 NE555
timer Oscillators Phase Locked Loops PIC Plasma Display PLL pn junction Power Amplifiers Power Supplies power supply power supply using L200 radio circuit
Relay replacement for 1.3V mercury cell Resistors SCR Signal Generators simple am radio simple lamp flasher soft start power supply soft start powersupply using L200 stereo loine driver
circuit subwoofer filter tachometer circuit Tech News Thyristors timer circuit Timer IC Triac Tutorial Tutorials Videos video telepresence VLSI Voltage
Multipliers Voltage Regulator Voltage Regulators
25 of 25 1/5/2011 7:43 PM