Batangas State University

College of Engineering and Fine Arts

Electronics, Instrumentation & Control And
Mechatronics Engineering Department

ECE 428
POWER ELECTRONICS

LABORATORY EXPERIMENT 1

Submitted by:
Aguda, Russelle Mae R.
Pagcaliwagan, John Ryan E.
MEXE 3102

Submitted to:
Engr. Anela Salvador
Instructor

NOVEMBER 26, 2020

 PART I
SILICON-CONTROLLED RECTIFIER

I. OBJECTIVES
 To demonstrate a practical go/no go methods of testing an SCR with
ohmmeter.
 To show the turn-on (fire) and turn-off (reset) methods for an SCR.
 To determine the electrical characteristics of a particular SCR.
 To define the various SCR parameters.

INTRODUCTION
The PN junction from gate to cathode of an SCR can be tested with an ohmmeter
similar to a regular diode. However, testing from anode to gate will not indicate if an
SCR is working properly, because one of the PN junctions is always reverse biased.
The SCR can be tested with an ohmmeter by placing the positive lead on the anode
and the negative lead on the cathode with the gate left open. The meter should read
high or infinite resistance. Placing a clip lead from the anode or positive lead of the
ohmmeter to the gate triggers the SCR and the meter should indicate low resistance.
When the clip lead is removed, the meter continues to indicate low resistance if the
power source is sufficient to produce the required holding current.
To conduct, the SCR must have its anode more positive than its cathode. When
the gate voltage is made more positive than its cathode, the SCR turns on or fires and
current flows from cathode to anode. When the gate voltage is again made equal to or
more negative than the cathode, current continues to flow through the SCR. The SCR
is turned off or reset by reducing the current through it below its holding current.

II. MATERIALS NEEDED

1 Fixed + 12-V power supply

1 Standard or digital voltmeter
1 C106Y1 SCR or equivalent
1 100- resistor at 0.5 W (R1)
1 10-k resistor at 0.5 W (RG)
1 22-k resistor at 0.5 W(RA)
2 DPST switches (S1 and S2)
1 Breadboard for constructing circuit

PART I: TESTING AN SCR WITH AN OHMMETER

1. Set the ohmmeter to the midrange scale.

2. Connect the ohmmeter to the SCR as shown in figure 4.1 and record the
meter reading in table 4.1.
Table 4.1: Ohmmeter Reading

Gate (G) Anode (A) Cathode (K) Reading (H or L)

None Positive Negative L (5 MOhm)
Positive Negative Negative L (5 MOhm)
None Negative Positive H (10 MOhm)

FILL-IN QUESTIONS:
1. An SCR will have high resistance before being triggered.

2. An SCR will have low resistance before after triggered.

3. The gate -to- cathode resistance of an SCR can be checked like a normal diode.
4. An SCR is being tested with an ohmmeter. When the clip lead on the gate is
removed, the meter indicates high resistance. This does not prove that the SCR is
defective, but that the power source of the meter is not sufficient to produce the
necessary holding current through the device.

PART II: OPERATION OF AN SCR

1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 4.2.

2. Set switches S1 and S2 as indicated and then apply power to the circuit.
3. In the first row of the data table 4.2, record the values of VG and VA.
4. Move S1 to position B and record the values of VG and VA in the second
row of the data table.
5. Move S1 to position A and record the values of VG and VA in the fourth
row of the data table.
6. Move S2 to position B and record the values of VG and VA in the fourth
row of the data table.
7. Move S2 to position A and record the values of VG and VA in the fourth
row of the data table.
Table 4.2

S1 S2 VG VA Condition of SCR
Condition Condition (on or off)
A A 12 V 1.2 mV off
B A 3.409 V 119.988 mV on

A A 12V 1.2mV off

A B 12V 1.2mV off
A A 12V 1.2mV off

FILL-IN QUESTIONS:

1. Before firing, the voltage from anode to ground of the SCR is equal to voltage
source.
2. When the gate is made more positive the SCR fires and IAK flows.
3. Once the SCR fires, the gate gains control and the current starts to flow through the
SCR.
4. When the SCR is conducting, the voltage from the anode to ground is equal to
(11.999OHm)-0.01 Ohm
5. The SCR can be turned OFF by reducing the current through it below its holding
current.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:

PART I

Fig.1.1 Anode(+),Cathode(-)

Fig.1.2 Anode(+),Cathode(-),Gate(+)

Fig.1.3 Anode(-),Cathode(+)
PART II

Fig2.1;SW1-A,SW2-A

Fig2.2;SW1-B,SW2-A

Fig2.3;SW1-A,SW2-A
 Fig2.4;SW1-A,SW2-B

Fig2.5;SW1-A,SW2-A

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:

1. The letters SCR stand for silicon-controlled rectifier. Explain the use of the word
rectifier in the name.
-The SCR is a rectifier in that only when the anode is positive with respect to the
cathode will it conduct with a positive gate trigger. The SCR is turned off when the
anode is made negative with respect to the cathode. It's a controlled rectifier made of
silicon. Controlled means it acts as a rectifier, conducts in only one direction, but that
conduction can be turned on/off by a signal at the gate.
2. What two things must happen to cause an SCR to fire?
-There are two ways to turn the SCR. The first method is to keep the gate open
and make the supply voltage equal to the breakdown voltage. The second method is to
operate SCR with voltage less than the break-over voltage and then turn it on by
means of a small voltage applied to the gate.

3. What is the difference between triggering gate current and holding current?
-Latching current is another name for gate trigger current -- it's a measure of the
minimum current you have to apply to the gate of an SCR to be guaranteed it will turn
on (given that there's a minimum voltage between anode and cathode). Holding
current is the specified minimum current that must be flowing from anode to cathode
(with no gate current) and still be guaranteed that the SCR will not turn off.

CONCLUSION:

SCR has 3 terminals the anode, cathode and the gate. For the first part of the
experiment we’ve noticed that when anode is connected to the positive terminal while
cathode is connected to the negative terminal of our oscilloscope the resistance
reading is lower which is 5MOhm compare when anode is connected to negative and
cathode is connected to the positive terminal it gives us 10MOhm. Same results is
applied with the gate being connected to the positive terminal together with the anode
the resistance also reads at 5MOhm.
While doing this experiment we discovered that SCR is turn on if and only if
anode and cathode is connected in series because looking at the result the condition
satisfy the SCR on on state and the off state because the voltage across SCR when it is
off is equal to the voltage source. There characteristics of SCR reveal that it has 3
modes of operation reverse blocking mode, forward blocking mode/off-state and
forward conduction mode/on-state. The SCR is in reverse blocking mode and a small
leakage current flows when a negative voltage is applied to the anode and a positive
voltage to the cathode. The anode is given a positive voltage while the cathode is
given a negative is in forward blocking mode.
The gate is the control terminal of the SCR while anode, cathode, gate voltage
and current are the parameters, but parameters are based on the condition of the
switches.

PART II
CURRENT CONTROL OF AN SCR

I. OBJECTIVE:

 To demonstrate the effect that gate current has to turn on an SCR, and to
determine the minimum holding current to keep the SCR conducting.
 To define parameters associated with SCRs, such as gate trigger current,
holding current, forward ON-state voltage and give the approximate range of
values expected for these parameters.
INTRODUCTION

The experiment shows that sufficient gate current must flow in order to turn on
the SCR and that the minimum holding current can be found with the addition of
large-value potentiometer in anode circuit.

II. MATERIALS NEEDED

1 Fixed + 12-V power supply

1 Standard or digital voltmeter
1 Standard or digital ammeter
1 C106Y1 SCR or equivalent
1 100-ohm resistor at 0.05 W (R1)
1 22-kohm resistor at 0.5W (RB)
1 100-kohm resistor at 0.5W (RA)
1 50-kohm potentiometer (RH)
2 DPST switched (S1 and S2)
1 Breadboard for constructing circuit

III. PROCEDURE

1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 5.1.

2. Set both switches as indicated and then apply power to the circuit.
3. Calculate the gate current IRA, flowing through RA and record in table 5.1.
4. Measure VAK and record in the place indicated next to IRA. Is the
SCR on or off?
5. Move S1 to position B.
6. Calculate the gate current IRB flowing through RB and record in the place
indicated.
7. Measure VAK and record in the place indicated next to IRB. Is the SCR on or off?
8. Remove the power supply voltage from the circuit.
9. Modify the circuit by adding the ammeter and 50-k potentiometer (RH) in series
with load resistor RL.
10.Set the wiper RH so that the resistance is completely “shorted out”.
11.Make sure the S1 and S2 are set as indicated and then apply power to the circuit.
12.Momentarily move S1 from position A to position B and back again.
13.Recording the reading of VAK and IA in table 5.2.
14.Slowly adjust RH so that the current IA begins to decrease.
15.Remember the reading of IA when VAK increases to +VAA. Record this value in
table 5.2 indicated for the minimum holding current of the SCR. (Perform steps 10
through 15 a few for a more accurate reading).
Table 5.1

S1 S2 IRA = VAA/RA IRB = VAA/RB VAK Condition

(ON or OFF)
A A 545.45 uA 0A 12V off
B A 0A 120000 uA 12V on

Table 5.2

Potentiometer setting VAK IA

(%)
0 12V 240.007uA
5 11.4V 240.006uA
10 10.8V 240.005uA
20 9.6V 240.003uA
30 8.4V 240.001uA
40 7.2V 240uA
50 6V 239.998uA
60 4.8V 239.997uA
70 3.6V 239.996uA
80 2.4V 239.996uA
90 1.2V 239.995uA
100 1.875uV 239.995uA

FILL-IN QUESTIONS:

1. If the gate resistor is too large, not enough gate current will flow to
conduct/trigger the SCR.

2. When the gate resistor is sufficient enough to latch, the proper value of gate
current will flow to trigger the SCR.

3. Sufficient anode current is required to keep the SCR conducting.

 4. If the load resistance in series with the anode is too large, not enough current
flows from cathode to anode and the SCR will turn off .

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:

5.1

Fig. 5.1.1; SW1-A, SW2-A

This figure shows the amount of voltage through the circuit by VAk which is 12V and
then to get the amount of current flowing though RA we compute the given values that
gives us 545.45uA.

Fig. 5.1.2; SW1-B, SW2-A

This figure shows the amount of voltage through the circuit by VAk which is 12V and
the we perform another calculation to get the current through RB and that gives us
120000u.
 Solution for IRA Solution for IRB

5.2

Fig. 5.2.1; POT setting= 0%

This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 12V
and 240.007uA.
 Fig. 5.2.2; POT setting= 5%
This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get
11.4V and 240.006uA.

Fig. 5.2.3; POT setting= 10%

This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get
10.8V and 240.005uA.
 Fig. 5.2.4; POT setting= 20%
This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 9.6V
and 240.003uA.

Fig. 5.2.5; POT setting= 30%

This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 8.4V
and 240.001uA.
 Fig. 5.2.6; POT setting= 40%
This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 7.2V
and 240uA.

Fig. 5.2.7; POT setting= 50%

This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 6V
and 239.998uA.
 Fig. 5.2.8; POT setting= 60%
This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 4.8V
and 239.997uA.

Fig. 5.2.9; POT setting= 70%

This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 3.6V
and 239.996uA.
 Fig. 5.2.10; POT setting= 80%
This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 2.4V
and 239.996uA.

Fig. 5.2.11; POT setting= 90%

This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get 1.2V
and 239.995uA.
 Fig. 5.2.12; POT setting= 100%
This figure shows the amount of voltage applied and the amount of current flowing
through our potentiometer when our potentiometer setting is at 0%. Then we get
1.875uV and 239.995uA.

Figure 5.1-a (Potentiometer Setting-VAK relationship)

 Figure 5.1-b (Potentiometer Setting-IA relationship)

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:

1. How much gate current is needed to trigger a medium-power

SCR?
- To trigger a medium power SCR, the necessary gate current must be much lower
than the current through the SCR from cathode to anode

2. After an SCR has fired, what effect does the gate signal have on
the SCR?
-The effect of a gate signal on the firing of an SCR is shown in the breakdown of
the center junction achieved at speeds approaching a microsecond by applying an
appropriate signal to the gate lead, while holding the anode voltage constant. After
breakdown, the voltage across the device is so low that the current through it
from cathode to anode is essentially determined by the load it is feeding.

3. What effect does an increase in anode current have on anode-

cathode voltage?
-There will be a Depletion layer.

4. Explain why an SCR is superior to a series rheostat for controlling

and limiting current through a load.
- Rheostats are used in many different applications, from light dimmers to the
motor controllers in large industrial machines. However, it has largely been replaced
by the triac, a solid-state device also known as a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). A
triac does not waste as much power as a rheostat and is more reliable due to the
absence of mechanical parts. Rheostats commonly fail because their contacts become
dirty or the coil wire corrodes and breaks.

5.Explain the difference between an SCS and an SCR.

-The silicon controlled switch (SCS) is the next step beyond the silicon controlled
rectifier (SCR). It is still a four-layer diode, but this time all four regions are
accessible to the external circuit. The basic construction of the SCS is the same as for
the SCR, with the addition of a second gate lead while Silicon-Controlled Rectifier,
or SCR, is essentially a Shockley diode with an extra terminal added. This extra
terminal is called the gate, and it is used to trigger the device into conduction (latch it)
by the application of a small voltage.

CONCLUSION:

Since SCRS are turned ON when the currents are flowing into the gate. In off
state, the device restricts current flow to prevent leakage current so that the device
turns ON and conducts current. While SCR will remain in ON state when the gate to
cathode current exceeds a certain threshold, even if the gate current is removed and as
long as it exceeds the holding current.
There are five parameters associated with SCRs the gate,gate trigger current,
holding current and forward on ON-state voltage. Gate triggers the current gate, the
current is required to switch the device from OFF state to ON state, it refers to the
current that triggers the SCR. Holding current is the minimum current that must flow
through the device to remain in ON state or continue conducting while holding
current values range from 1 milliamp to 50 milliamps or more for larger units. For
forward ON-state voltage refers to the voltage drop between the anode and cathode
with specified junction temperature and ON-state forward current.

PART III
AC TRIGERRING OF AN SCR

I. OBJECTIVE

 To show how an ac current to a load can be controlled by an SCR, depending

on what portion of the positive alternation of s sine wave the SCR turns on.
 To define firing delay angle and conduction angle.
 To show how conduction angle affect the average load current.
 To control average current delivered to a load.

INTRODUCTION

The first part of this experiment uses only a variable resistance to vary the trigger
time from 0o to 90o. An oscilloscope is used to view the voltage waveforms across
the SCR and RL.
 A capacitor and diode are added to the original circuit to complete the second part
of the experiment. The capacitor extends the trigger time to nearly 180o, and the
diode produces a sharpener current pulse when it conducts, to provide more trigger
control.

II. MATERIAL NEEDED

1 12-Vrms transformer or ac source

1 Oscilloscope (use only one channel)
1 C106Y1 SCR or equivalent
1 1N4001 diode or equivalent
1 100-Ω resistor at 0.5W(R1)
1 1-kΩ resistor at 0.5 W(RA)
1 500- kΩ potentiometer (RG)
1 0.2-ΩF capacitor or 25 25WV dc (CG)
1 Breadboard for constructing circuit

III. PROCEDURE

1. Construct the circuit shown in figure 6.1

2. Place the oscilloscope’s channel 1 across the SCR, VAK.
3. Vary RG back and forth and view the voltage waveform across the SCR.
4. Adjust RG so that the SCR triggers about halfway between 0o and 90o
5. Draw the voltage waveform across the SCR in the space provided, making sure
to align it with the proper degrees for one cycle. (Indicate peak-to-peak voltage).
6. Place the oscilloscope’s channel 2 across RL.
7. Draw the voltage waveform across RL in the space provided, making sure it
with proper degrees for one cycle. (Indicate peak-to-peak voltage).
8. Set the firing delay angle and complete table 6.1. Before measuring the new
setting of RG using ohmmeter, turn off the power supply first.
9. Modify the circuit as shown in Figure 6.1 by adding the capacitor and diode
(Figure 6.2).
10.Place the oscilloscope across the SCR.
11.Vary the RG back and forth and view the voltage waveform across the SCR.
12.Adjust RG so that the SCR triggers past 90o, but not at 180o point.
13.Draw the voltage waveform across the SCR in the space provided, making
sure to align it with the proper degrees for one cycle. (Indicate peak-to-peak
voltage)
14.Place the oscilloscope’s channel 2 across RL.
15.Draw the voltage waveforms across RL in the space provided, making sure to
align it with the proper degrees for one cycle. (Indicate peak-to-peak voltage).
16.Set the firing delay angle and complete table 6.2. Before measuring the new
setting of RG using ohmmeter, turn off the power supply first.
TABLE 6.1 Trigger time ≈ 00 to 900

Firing Delay Angle 0 30 45 60 75 90

RG Setting (kΩ) - 135 330 375 395 405
GRAPHS

Voltage waveform across the SCR and Voltage waveform across the load
resistor.

Fig.6.1.1; Firing Delay Angle 30

Fig.6.1.2; Firing Delay Angle 45

Fig.6.1.3; Firing Delay Angle 60

Fig.6.1.4; Firing Delay Angle 75

 Fig.6.1.5; Firing Delay Angle 90

TABLE 6.2 Trigger time ≈ 00 to 1800

Firing 10 30 45 60 75 90 100 120 140 150 160 170 180

Delay
Angle
RG - 0 3 5.6 8 9 8.7 1.45 1.65 0 - - -
Settin
g (kΩ)
GRAPHS

Voltage waveform across the SCR and Voltage waveform across the load
resistor.

Fig.6.2.1; Firing Delay Angle 30

Fig.6.2.2; Firing Delay Angle 45

Fig.6.2.3; Firing Delay Angle 60

Fig.6.2.4; Firing Delay Angle 75

Fig.6.2.5; Firing Delay Angle 90

Fig.6.2.6; Firing Delay Angle 100

Fig.6.2.7; Firing Delay Angle 120

Fig.6.2.8; Firing Delay Angle 140

 Fig.6.2.9; Firing Delay Angle 150

FILL-IN QUESTIONS:

1. Using only a potentiometer, the ac trigger tine of an SCR can be varied from
about 0 to 90 degrees.
2. Using a potentiometer and capacitor, the ac trigger time of an SCR can be varied
from about 0 to 180 degrees.
3. When the SCR conducts, the voltage across RL is about equal to the voltage
source.
4. When the SCR conducts, the voltage across its A-K terminals is about 0.7 V.
5. The voltage across RL when the SCR conducts is the result of load current times
load resistance.
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS:

6.1

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @30

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @45

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @60

 Solution for Firing Delay Angle @75

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @90

6.2

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @30

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @45

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @60

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @75

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @90

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @100

 Solution for Firing Delay Angle @120

Solution for Firing Delay Angle @140

QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS:

1. Which condition would cause the larger load current, a firirng delay angle of 35° or
a firing delay angle of 60°?
-A firing delay of angle 35 degrees would cause a larger load current ,it is
because the larger the value of α, the smaller is the load current .As the firing angle
increase the load current decrease.

2. If the conduction angle of an SCR is 90° and it is desired to double the average load
current, calculate the new conduction angle for a 60Hz ac supply.
-In order to double the average load current ,the conduction angle should be
decreased. Decreasing it will double the power on the load that also means the current
is double.

3. For figure 6.1, assume the supply is 12 Vrms, IGT = 10 mA, and RA = 1 kΩ. The
firing angle is desired to be 90°. To what value should R2 be adjusted?
4. In figure 6.1, if the resistance of the load is 100Ω and the supply is 12 Vrms, how
much power burned in the SCR when the firing delay angle is 0°? When the SCR is
turned ON the voltage across is 1.0 V.
-If the firing angle α = 0°, then full positive half-cycle will appear across the load RL
and almost all the power on the source is dissipated to the load and the SCR. When
the voltage across the scr is equal to 1v the power burn by the SCR is only 8.3333
and the remaining power is dissipated on the load.

5.In figure 6.1, the supply is 115 Vrms, 60 Hz. The SCR has a triggering gate current
of 35mA; RA = 1 kΩ; what value of RG will cause a firing delay angle of 90°?
CONCLUSION:

In electronics phase control changes the phase angle at which the

alternating-current line voltage. As per AC power phase control is a method use
during the first portion of each half cycle of an AC sine wave prevent the current flow.
At some specific phase angle, this switch is closed to allow the full line voltage to be
applied to the load for the remainder of that half-cycle.
For this experiment we vary the potentiometer to control some portion of the
wave and regulating the power flow through our load. For firing delay angle it refers
to the number of degrees of an AC cycle that elapses before the SCR is turned ON.
While conduction angle refers to the number of degrees of an AC cycle during which
the SCR is turned ON.
While doing this experiment we therefor conclude that if the angle increases the
average load current decreases while when the average load current increases the
power also increase.