SCR / Thyristor

Circuit Symbol and Terminal Identification

ANODE

GATE

SCR
2N3668

CATHODE

SCR / Thyristor
Anode and Cathode
terminals as
conventional pn
junction diode
Gate terminal for a
controlling input
signal

ANODE

GATE

SCR
2N3668

CATHODE

SCR/ Thyristor
An SCR (Thyristor) is a controlled
rectifier (diode)
Control the conduction under forward bias
by applying a current into the Gate
terminal
Under reverse bias, looks like
conventional pn junction diode

SCR / Thyristor
Anode

4-layer (pnpn) device

Anode, Cathode as
for a conventional pn
junction diode
Cathode Gate
brought out for
controlling input

N
Gate
P

Cathode

ANODE

Equivalent Circuit
ANODE

P
Q1

BJT_PNP_VIRTUAL

GATE
P

Q2

P
GATE
BJT_NPN_VIRTUAL

N
CATHODE

CATHODE

Apply Biasing
Variable
50V

With the Gate terminal

OPEN, both transistors are
OFF. As the applied
voltage increases, there will
be a breakdown that
causes both transistors to
conduct (saturate) making GATE (G)
IF > 0 and VAK = 0.

IF

ANODE (A)

Q1

IC2=IB1

BJT_PNP_VIRTUAL

IC1 = IB2

Q2

BJT_NPN_VIRTUAL

VBreakdown = VBR(F)

IF
CATHODE (K)

Volt-Ampere Characteristic

IF

Holding Current IH

VBR(F)

VAK

Breakdown Voltage

Apply a Gate Current

For 0 < VAK < VBR(F),

Variable
50V

Turn Q2 ON by applying a
current into the Gate

IF
ANODE (A)

IC2 = IB1

Q1

This causes Q1 to turn ON, and

eventually both transistors
SATURATE
VAK = VCEsat + VBEsat

BJT_PNP_VIRTUAL

GATE (G)

IB2

Q2

BJT_NPN_VIRTUAL

If the Gate pulse is removed,

Q1 and Q2 still stay ON!

VG
CATHODE (K)

IF

How do you turn it OFF?

Cause the forward current to fall below the
value if the holding current, IH
Reverse bias the device

SCR Application Power Control

XSC1
G
A

R
25kOhm
Key = a
Vs
170V
120.21V_rms
60Hz
0Deg

60%

When the voltage across

the capacitor reaches the
trigger-point voltage of
the device, the SCR turns
ON, current flows in the
Load for the remainder of
the positive half-cycle.

D1
2N1776

Rload
15ohm

C
0.01uF

Current flow stops when

the applied voltage goes
negative.

Input / Output Voltages

Look at the LOAD Current

Conduction time Conduction Angle = 180 -

Firing time Firing Angle ()

Average Load Current

1 V

sin td (t )

2 R
V

(1 cos )
2 R

L ,A V E

LOA D

L ,A V E

t an (R C )
1