STATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

Experiment 1
Aim: To Study the static characteristics of SCR
Apparatus: Multism
Theory: SCR works in three modes:
1) Forward blocking mode
2) Forward conducting mode
3) Reverse blocking mode
Forward blocking mode:
When anode is positive w.r.t cathode and the gate circuit is open the SCR is forward biased. A small forward
leakage current flows. If the voltage is increased the break down occurs at a voltage called forward break-over
voltage VBO, SCR offers high input therefore it is treated as open, The SCR is in OFF state.
Forward conducting mode:
In this mode the conduction takes place from anode to cathode with the gate pulse is applied between gate
and cathode, the SCR is turned ON. This is the ON state in which it behaves as a closed switch. The voltage
drop across the device is due to resistive drop in the four layers.
Reverse blocking mode:
When cathode is positive with respect to anode with gate terminal open the device is in reverse blocking
mode. This is the OFF state. If the reverse voltage is increased, the brake down occurs at VBR (brake down
voltage). The reverse current increases causing avalanche The SCR is treated as open switch – OFF state.
Circuit Diagram:
SCR Specification:
Ig = 40mA (gate trigger current)
Ih = 10mA (holding current)
Vgt= 0.7V average (gate trigger voltage)

Procedure:

 Connections are made as shown in the circuit diagram.

 Set V1 and V2 to min.
 Run the simulation first.
 Set V1 to minimum and V2 to max.
 Set the gate current Ig = Ig1, by V1.
 Slowly vary V1 in steps of 0.5V and note down VAK and IAK at each step till SCR conducts. (Note
down maximum VAK, which is forward break over voltage just before SCR conducts).
 Tabulate result:
Ig1 = _________ mA (lab simulation result)

V1 VAK IAK

FINDING HOLDING CURRENT:

 Ensure that the SCR is in the on state of conduction. 

 Switch off the gate supply permanently. 
 Start reducing (VAK) anode voltage in steps of 0.5V; simultaneously check the state of SCR. If SCR
switches off. Note down the anode current (I A) just before it drops to zero (Ig=0), which will be
IH. 
 Tabulate result:
IH = ___________ (lab simulation result)

IG VAK IAK

Pre lab VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. What is a Thyristor? Draw the structure of an SCR?
2. What are the different methods of turning on an SCR?
3. What is Forward break over voltage? Reverse break over voltage?
4. What are modes of working of an SCR?
5. Draw the V-I characteristics of SCR.
6. Differentiate between holding and latching currents.

Post Lab VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Why is Vbo greater than Vbr?
2. Why does high power dissipation occur in reverse blocking mode?
3. Why shouldn’t positive gate signal be applied during reverse blocking Mode?
4. Explain reverse current Irev..
6. Why should the gate signal be removed after turn on?
7. Is a gate signal required when reverse biased?
8. What are applications of SCR?
 GATE FIRING CIRCUITS FOR SCRS
EXPERIMENT 2

AIM:
To study the Resistance - capacitance (RC) Triggering circuit of SCR.

Apparatus: Multism
Theory:
Firing Angle of SCR is defined as the angle between the instant SCR would conduct if it were a diode and the
instant it is triggered. We know that, there are two conditions which must be satisfied for turn on of an SCR.
They are:

 SCR must be forward biased i.e. its anode voltage must be positive with respect to cathode voltage.
 It must be gated i.e. a gate signal must be applied across the Gate and Cathode Terminals.
This means, even though the SCR is forward biased, it is not going to conduct until a gate signal is applied. This
is not the case with a diode. In a diode, as soon as it gets forward biased, it starts conducting. No gate signal is
required to be applied for turning on a diode. In fact, there is no such Gate terminal in diode.

Circuit Diagram:
PROCEDURE:

 Make all connections as per the circuit diagram.

 Set R3 to minimum.
 Run the Simulation.
 Slowly vary the control Resistor R3 by 0.1 ohms , that firing angle can vary from 0-180°.
 Observe various voltage waveforms across load, SCR and other points, by varying the
Load Resistance and Firing RC part.
 Sketch the waveform in each of the following setting of R3 by 10%, 25%, 75%,100%
Describe the how SCR changes is output if we vary R3.

PRE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Draw the characteristics of SCR.
2. Define firing angle.
3. Define conduction angle.

POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. What are the advantages of RC triggering?
 EXPERIMENT 3
UJT TRIGGERING

AIM: To study Firing of SCR using UJT Relaxation Oscillator and also to study UJT Relaxation

THEORY: The UJT has negative resistance characteristic, because of this character the UJT provides trigger pulse. Any
one of the three terminals can be taken for triggering pulse. The UJT can be used as relaxation oscillator i.e. it produces
non-sinusoidal waves. First the capacitor „C‟ starts charging through the resistor R when VBB is switched on. During the
charging of the capacitor, the voltage across it increases exponentially until it reaches to the peak point voltage VP. Up
to now, the UJT is in off state, i.e. no conducting state at which RB1 value is high. When the voltage across the capacitor
reaches to peak point voltage (VP) then, UJT comes into conducting state as the junction is forward biased and RB1 falls
to low value (50_). Then the capacitor C quickly discharges through UJT that means the discharging time is very less as
the capacitor discharges through the low resistance UJT. When the voltage across the capacitor decreases to valley point
voltage (VV) then the UJT shifts to off state and once again the capacitor gets charged through the resistor R and this
process is repeated. This generates saw-tooth wave form.

Circuit Diagram:

Procedure:

 Make all connections as per the circuit diagram.

 Set R3 to minimum.
 Run the Simulation.
 Check the output of the oscillator
 Sketch the waveforms on the paper
 Describe the UJT output.
Pre lab Viva Question:
1. Why we need the UJT relaxation circuit in triggering the SCR?
POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of UJT triggering?
 CHARACTERISTICS OF DIAC

Experiment 4

AIM: To study and plot the characteristics of an DIAC.

APPARATUS: Multisim
Theory: Diac is made up of three layers of N-type and P-type semiconductors, like a transistor, but because of
its doping, it does not behave as a transistor. It is more like two antiparallel diodes (two diodes in reverse
direction and parallel to each other). Thus, it is a bidirectional device and conducts in both directions, suitable
for AC electricity. Nevertheless, it is not like two ordinary diodes, and conduction takes place when the applied
voltage to it reaches a minimum value called breakover voltage (VBR).
Circuit Diagram:

Procedure:

 Make the connections as given in the circuit diagram.

 Keep potentiometer also at minimum position.
 Run Simulation
 Vary V1 insteps of 1V and note down the corresponding Ammeter reading.
 Vary insteps of 5V up to 25Volts. After that vary insteps of 1V.
 At a particular value of voltage the device conducts. This can be noticed by the sudden increase of
Ammeter reading.
 This is the device breakdown voltage, vary VL further and note down the corresponding V/I readings in
the tabular column. Identify VBR1
 Reverse the supply to the DIAC and repeat the above procedure to find the reverse break down
Voltage.
TABULAR COLUMAN:

Forward bias

VL (Volts) IL (mA)

VBR1:_____V

Reverse bias

V (Volts) I (mA)

VRB2:_____V
Pre lab Viva Question:
1. Why we need the UJT relaxation circuit in triggering the SCR?
POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:
1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of UJT triggering?