SCR [V-I Characteristics]

A detailed study of the characteristics reveal that the thyristor has three basic modes of operation, namely the reverse blocking mode, forward blocking (off-state) mode and forward conduction (on-state) mode. Which are discussed in details below :

Reverse Blocking Mode of Thyristor

Cathode is made positive with respect to anode. Junctions J1 and J3 are reverse biased whereas the junction J2 is forward biased. The behavior of the thyristor here is similar to that of two diodes are connected in series with reverse voltage applied across them. As a result only a small leakage current of the order of a few μAmps flows.

This is the reverse blocking mode or the off-state, of the thyristor. If the reverse voltage is now increased, then at a particular voltage, known as the critical breakdown voltage VBR, an avalanche occurs at J1 and J3 and the reverse current increases rapidly. 

A large current associated with VBR gives rise to more losses in the SCR, which results in heating. This may lead to thyristor damage as the junction temperature may exceed its permissible temperature rise. It should, therefore, be ensured that maximum working reverse voltage across a thyristor does not exceed VBR. When reverse voltage applied across a thyristor is less than VBR, the device offers very high impedance in the reverse direction. The SCR in the reverse blocking mode may therefore be treated as open circuit.

Forward Blocking Mode

Now considering the anode is positive with respect to the cathode, with gate kept in open condition. The thyristor is now said to be forward biased as shown the figure below.

As we can see the junctions J1 and J3arenow forward biased but junction J2 goes into reverse biased condition. In this particular mode, a small current, called forward leakage current is allowed to flow initially as shown in the diagram for characteristics of thyristor. Now, if we keep on increasing the forward biased anode to cathode voltage.

In this particular mode, the thyristor conducts currents from anode to cathode with a very small drop of potential across it. A thyristor is brought from forward blocking mode to forward conduction mode by turning it on by exceeding the forward break over voltage or by applying a gate pulse between gate and cathode. In this mode, thyristor is in on-state and behaves like a closed switch. Voltage drop across thyristor in the on state is of the order of 1 to 2 V depending beyond a certain point, then the reverse biased junction J2 will have an avalanche breakdown at a voltage called forward break over voltage VB0 of the thyristor. But, if we keep the forward voltage less than VBO, we can see from the characteristics of thyristor, that the device offers a high impedance. Thus even here the thyristor operates as an open switch during the forward blocking mode.

Forward Conduction Mode

When the anode to cathode forward voltage is increased, with gate circuit open, the reverse junction J2 will have an avalanche breakdown at forward break over voltage VBO leading to thyristor turn on.
Once the thyristor is on we can see from the diagram for characteristics of thyristor. 

In this mode of operation, the thyristor conducts maximum current with minimum voltage drop, this is known as the forward conduction forward conduction or the turn on mode of the thyristor.

SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) {Introduction, Symbol & why Silicon is used?}

The idea for the thyristor is not new. The idea for the device was first put forward in 1950 by William Shockley, one of the inventors of the transistor.

What is a thyristor?

The thyristor has a p-n-p-n structure with the outer layers with their electrodes referred to as the anode (n-type) and the cathode (p-type). The control terminal of the SCR is named the gate and it is connected to the p-type layer that adjoins the cathode layer.

Why Silicon in a thyristor?

Silicon is the ideal choice because of its overall properties. It is able to handle the voltage and currents required for high power applications. Additionally it has good thermal properties. The second major reason is that silicon technology is well established and it is widely used for a variety of semiconductor electronics components. As a result it is very cheap and easy for semiconductor manufacturers to use.

Thyristor symbols & basics

The thyristor or silicon controlled rectifier, SCR is a device that has a number of unusual characteristics. It has three terminals: Anode, cathode and gate, reflecting thermionic valve / vacuum tube technology. As might be expected the gate is the control terminal while the main current flows between the anode and cathode.

As can be imagined from its circuit symbol shown below, the device is a "one way device" giving rise to the GE name for it the silicon controlled rectifier. Therefore when the device is used with AC, it will only conduct for a maximum of half the cycle.

In operation, the thyristor or SCR will not conduct initially. It requires a certain level of current to flow in the gate to "fire" it. Once fired, the thyristor will remain in conduction until the voltage across the anode and cathode is removed - this obviously happens at the end of the half cycle over which the thyristor conducts. The next half cycle will be blocked as a result of the rectifier action. It will then require current in the gate circuit to fire the SCR again.

The silicon controlled rectifier, SCR or thyristor symbol used for circuit diagrams or circuit seeks to emphasis its rectifier characteristics while also showing the control gate. As a result the thyristor symbol shows the traditional diode symbol with a control gate entering near the junction.