Module 9

Thyristors and SCRs

Introduction

Thyristors are three-terminal devices.

A small current in one of the terminals allows a high circular current between
the other two terminals. Current controlled in this way is either on or off. In this way
thyristors do not amplify signals.

In fact, they behave like solid state switches, allowing multiple applications,
especially in industrial control circuits.

There are two families of thyristors: the SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) and
the Triacs

The SCR switches on direct current and the Triac switches AC.

Objectives

- Get in touch with SCR, Triacs, and Diacs.

- Some basic applications.

SCR - Silicon Controlled Rectifier

If the anode of an SCR is made more positive than the cathode the two most
distal PN junctions will be directly polarized.

However, the reverse PN junction of the medium will be inversely polarized

and there may not be an electric current flow.

A small current in the gate will suffice to polarize the PN junction of the middle
of the SCR. This will allow a large flow of current through the SCR. Under these
conditions the SCR will remain on, even if the power supply is turned off!

The one described above can be seen in figure 263, (c).

 Figure 263 - SCR = Silicon Controlled Rectifier SCR physical construction.

(a) SCR graphical symbology.

(b) Circuit showing SCR operation.

(c) Example of SCR enclosures. The latter, the right, is all metal, for high
electric currents and is usually mounted on a heat sink.

Use of the SCR

A circuit using an SCR is shown in figure 264.

In this figure, an SCR is shown to control a small incandescent lamp. Other

devices can be connected in place of the lamp, for control effect.
 Figure 264 – Circuit with an SCR.

The Triac

The Triac is the equivalent and two SCRs connected in parallel. This
means that the Triacs can switch both DC and AC.

When a Triac is connected to AC, as in figure 80, it remains in the "on"

state when the gate receives an electric current. Removing this electric
current, the Triac goes to the "off" state. See figure 265.

(a) Physical structure of Triac.

(b) Electrical structure.

(c) Graphic symbol.

(d) Circuit to measure the currents, as shown.

(e) Triac physical format, from low power to high power.

 Figure 265 - Triac.

In figure 265, the figure to the left shows the structure of the component.
Next, as indicated by the red arrow, comes the structure showing graphic symbols.
Soon after, going to the right, the graphic symbol of the component is drawn. And,
finally, a real photo of the component in question.

Triac operation

Figure 266 shows the basic operation of a Triac, lighting a lamp, when
powered by the voltage of a 220 VAC or 127 VAC residential power grid.

Figure 266 - Triac operation.

 In this figure 266, you also find some new symbols:

P1 = Plug to connect the transform to a power outlet.

F1 = Fuse for protection of the circuit, connected to the primary winding of the
transformer.

Lp1 = Common incandescent lamp.

Sw1 = button (or switch), open contact switch. NA = Normally Open. When
pressed, it turns on the circuit.

Two-terminal thyristors
Within the thyristor family, there are still two components that are
important to our work.

1. The four-layer diode which is a thyristor without a gate and

2. The Diac is a three-layer device, similar to the transistor, but without

the base terminal.

The four-layer diode and Diac are shown in figure 267

Figure 267 - Diadem of four layers and Diac.

 In figure 267, the left drawing shows the structure of the component. Next,
as indicated by the red arrow, comes the structure showing graphic symbols. Soon
after, going to the right, the graphic symbol of the component is drawn. And, finally,
a real photo of the component in question.

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