What is a Thyristor, SCR?

Thyristors or silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR) as they are sometimes known may appear to be
unusual electronics components in many ways, but they are particularly useful for controlling
power circuits. As such these electronics components are often used for applications such as light
dimmers, and there may be thyristor circuits used in many power supply applications. Thyristors
are simple to use and cheap to buy and often thyristor circuits are easy to build and use. All these
reasons make thyristors ideal components to consider for many applications.

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. Although some later investigation of the
device was undertaken by others a couple of years later, it was not until the early 1960s when
they became available. After the introduction of the thyristor, they soon became popular for
power supply circuits.

What is a thyristor?
The thyristor may be considered a rather an unusual form of electronics component because it
consists of four layers of differently doped silicon rather than the three layers of the conventional
bipolar transistors. Whereas conventional transistors may have a p-n-p or n-p-n structure with the
electrodes named collector, base and emitter, 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.

Structure of a thyristor or silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)

Thyristors are usually manufactured from silicon, although, in theory other types of
semiconductor could be used. The first reason for using silicon for thyistors is that 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.
How does a thyristor work?
The way in which a thyristor operates is different to other devices. Normally no current flows
across the device. However if a supply is connected across the device, and a small amount of
current is injected into the gate, then the device will "fire" and conduct. It will remain in the
conducting state until the supply is removed.

To see how the thyristor operates, it is worth looking at a thyristor equivalent circuit. For the
sake of an explanation, the thyristor circuit can be considered as two back to back transistors.
The first transistor with its emitter connected to the cathode of the thyristor is an n-p-n device,
whereas a second transistor with its emitter connected to the anode of the thyristor, SCR is a p-n-
p variety. The gate is connected to the base of the n-p-n transistor as shown below.

Thyristor equivalent circuit

When a voltage is applied across a thyristor no current flows because neither transistor is
conducting. As a result there is no complete path across the device. If a small current is passed
through the gate electrode, this will turn "on" the transistor TR2. When this occurs it will cause
the collector of TR2 to fall towards the voltage on the emitter, i.e. the cathode of the whole
device. When this occurs it will cause current to flow through the base of TR1 and turn this
transistor "on". Again this will now try to pull the voltage on the collector of TR1 towards its
emitter voltage. This will cause current to flow in the emitter of TR2, causing its "on" state to be
maintained. In this way it only requires a small trigger pulse on the gate to turn the thyristor on.
Once switched on, the thyristor can only be turned off by removing the supply voltage.

It can be seen that current will only flow in one direction through the thyristor. If a reverse
voltage is applied, then no current will flow, even if some gate current is applied. In this way for
thyristor circuits used for AC, operation only occurs over one half of the AC waveform. For the
other half of the cycle the device remains inoperative and no current can flow.

Thyristor symbol
The thyristor symbol is easy to recognise. Like the circuit symbols for most electronic
components, the symbols may vary slightly dependent upon who has generated them, but in
general it is as shown below. The thyristor symbol effectively shows a diode rectifier symbol
with a control gate.

Thyristor symbol used in circuit diagrams

Thyristor circuit
There are many thyristor circuits that are in common use. They can be sued in many applications
from AC control as in the case of motor or light dimmers to other circuits including power
supply crowbar circuits.

The circuit below shows a power supply crowbar circuit. It can be used to protect circuitry
within the main equipment from the effects of the failure of the series regulator in a power
supply. If the series regulator fails short circuit, then high voltages can be paled on the power rail
inside the equipment and this could result in serious damage to the overall equipment.

Thyristor overvoltage crowbar circuit

The SCR over voltage crowbar or protection circuit is connected between the output of the
power supply and ground. The zener diode voltage is chosen to be slightly above that of the
output rail. Typically a 5 volt rail may run with a 6.2 volt zener diode. When the zener diode
voltage is reached, current will flow through the zener and trigger the silicon controlled rectifier
or thyristor. This will then provide a short circuit to ground, thereby protecting the circuitry that
is being supplied form any damage.

Further details of this circuit can be found in the "Analogue Circuits" section of this website.

Summary
Thyristors are widely used in many areas of analogue electronics. Thyristor circuits can be sued
for many power applications as these electronics components are above to switch high currents
very easily. In addition to this these electronics components are very cheap and they are widely
available.

What is a Diac?
A diac is a full-wave or bi-directional semiconductor switch that can be turned on in both
forward and reverse polarities. The name diac comes from the words Diode AC switch. The diac
is an electronics component that is widely used to assist even triggering of a triac when used in
AC switches and as a result they are often found in light dimmers such as those used in domestic
lighting. These electronic components are also widely used in starter circuits for fluorescent
lamps.

Although the term is not often seen, they may also be called symmetrical trigger diodes - a term
resulting from the symmetry of their characteristic curve.

Diac symbol
The diac symbol used to depict this electronic component in circuit diagrams can be remembered
as a combination of what may appear to be two diodes in parallel with each other but connected
in opposite directions.
 Circuit symbol for the diac

Owing to the fact that diacs are bi-direction devices the terminals cannot be labelled as anode
and cathode as they are for a diode. Instead they may be labelled as A1 and A2 or MT1 ("Main
Terminal") and MT2.

Diac operation
Diac circuits use the fact that a diac only conducts current only after a certain breakdown voltage
has been exceeded. The actual breakdown voltage will depend upon the specification for the
particular component type.

When the diac breakdown voltage occurs, the resistance of the component decreases abruptly
and this leads to a sharp decrease in the voltage drop across the diac, and a corresponding
increase in current. The diac will remain in its conducing state until the current flow through it
drops below a particular value known as the holding current. When the current falls below the
holding current, the diac switches back to its high resistance, or non-conducting state.

Diacs are widely used in AC applications and it is found that the device is "reset" to its non-
conducting state, each time the voltage on the cycle falls so that the current falls below the
holding current. As the behaviour of the device is approximately equal in both directions, it can
provide a method of providing equal switching for both halves of an AC cycle, e.g for triacs.

Most diacs have a breakdown voltage of around 30 volts, although the exact specifications will
depend upon the particular type of device.. Interestingly their behaviour is somewhat similar to
that of a neon lamp, although they offer a far more precise switch on voltage and thereby provide
a far better degree of switching equalisation.

Diac applications
One of the major uses of diacs within triac circuits. The diac is placed in series with the gate of a
triac to provide a more symmetrical switching characteristic. It is found that triacs do not fire
symmetrically as a result of slight differences between the two halves of the device. This results
in harmonics being generated, and the less symmetrical the device fires, the greater the level of
harmonics produced. It is generally undesirable to have high levels of harmonics in a power
system.

To help in overcoming this problem, a diac is often placed in series with the gate. This device
helps make the switching more even for both halves of the cycle. This results from the fact that
the diac switching characteristic is far more even than that of the triac. Since the diac prevents
any gate current flowing until the trigger voltage has reached a certain voltage in either direction,
this makes the firing point of the triac more even in both directions. In view of their usefulness,
diacs may often be built into the gate terminal of a triac.

Summary
Diacs are a widely used electronic component. The chief application of diacs is for use in
conjunction with triacs to equalise their switching characteristics. By equalising the switching
characteristics of these triacs, the level of harmonics generated when switching AC signals can
be reduced. Despite this, for large applications, two thyristors are generally used. Nevertheless
the diac / triac combination is very useful for lower power applications including light dimmers,
etc.

What is a Triac?
Triacs are widely used in AC power control applications. They are able to switch high voltages
and high levels of current, and over both parts of an AC waveform. This makes triac circuits
ideal for use in a variety of applications where power switching is needed. One particular use of
triac circuits is in light dimmers for domestic lighting, and they are also used in many other
power control situations including motor control.

The triac is a development of the thyristor. While the thyristor can only control current over one
half of the cycle, the triac controls it over two halves of an AC waveform. As such the triac can
be considered as a pair of parallel but opposite thyristors with the two gates connected together
and the anode of one device connected to the cathode of the other, etc..

Triac symbol
The basic triac symbol used on circuit diagram indicates its bi-directional properties. The triac
symbol can be seen to be a couple of thyristor symbols in opposite senses merged together.
 Triac symbol for use in circuit diagrams

Like a thyristor, a triac has three terminals. However the names of these are a little more difficult
to assign, because the main current carrying terminals are connected to what is effectively a
cathode of one thyristor, and the anode of another within the overall device. There is a gate
which acts as a trigger to turn the device on. In addition to this the other terminals are both called
Anodes, or Main Terminals These are usually designated Anode 1 and Anode 2 or Main
Terminal 1 and Main Terminal 2 (MT1 and MT2). When using triacs it is both MT1 and MT2
have very similar properties.

How does a triac work?

Before looking at how a triac works, it helps to have an understanding of haow a thyristor works.
In this way the basic concepts can be grasped for the simpler device and then applied to a triac
which is more complicated. The operation of the thyristor is covered in the article in this section
and accessible through the "Related Articles" box on the left of the page and below the main
menu.

For the operation of the triac, it can be imagined from the circuit symbol that the triac consists of
two thyristors in parallel but around different ways. The operation of the triac can be looked on
in this fashion, although the actual operation at the semiconductor level is rather more
complicated.

Equivalent circuit of a triac

When the voltage on the MT1 is positive with regard to MT2 and a positive gate voltage is
applied, one of the thyristors conducts. When the voltage is reversed and a negative voltage is
applied to the gate, the other thyristor conducts. This is provided that there is sufficient voltage
across the device to enable a minimum holding current to flow.

Using triacs
there are a number of points to note when using triacs. Although these devices operate very well,
to get the best performance out of them it is necessary to understand a few hints on tips on using
triacs.

It is found that because of their internal construction and the slight differences between the two
halves, triacs do not fire symmetrically. This results in harmonics being generated: the less
symmetrical the triac fires, the greater the level of harmonics that are produced. It is not normally
desirable to have high levels of harmonics in a power system and as a result triacs are not
favoured for high power systems. Instead for these systems two thyristors may be used as it is
easier to control their firing.

To help in overcoming the problem non-symmetrical firing ad the resulting harmonics, a device
known as a diac (diode AC switch) is often placed in series with the gate of the triac. The
inclusion of this device helps make the switching more even for both halves of the cycle. This
results from the fact that the diac switching characteristic is far more even than that of the triac.
Since the diac prevents any gate current flowing until the trigger voltage has reached a certain
voltage in either direction, this makes the firing point of the triac more even in both directions.

Overview of using triacs

Triacs are ideal devices for use in many AC small power applications. Triac circuits for use as
dimmers are widespread and they are simple and easy to implement. When using triacs, diacs are
often included in the circuit as mentioned above to help reduce the level of harmonics produced.

DIAC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For other uses, see DIAC (disambiguation).
Typical DIAC voltage and current relationships. VBO is the breakover voltage.

DIAC

Three-layer DIAC

The DIAC, or "diode for alternating current", is a diode that conducts current only after its
breakover voltage, VBO, has been reached momentarily.

When this occurs, the diode enters the region of negative dynamic resistance, leading to a
decrease in the voltage drop across the diode and, usually, a sharp increase in current through the
diode. The diode remains "in conduction" until the current through it drops below a value
characteristic for the device, called the holding current, IH. Below this value, the diode switches
back to its high-resistance (non-conducting) state. This behavior is bidirectional, meaning
typically the same for both directions of current.

Most DIACs have a three-layer structure with breakover voltage around 30 V. In this way, their
behavior is somewhat similar to (but much more precisely controlled and taking place at lower
voltages than) a neon lamp.

DIACs have no gate electrode, unlike some other thyristors that they are commonly used to
trigger, such as TRIACs. Some TRIACs, like Quadrac, contain a built-in DIAC in series with the
TRIAC's "gate" terminal for this purpose.

DIACs are also called symmetrical trigger diodes due to the symmetry of their characteristic
curve. Because DIACs are bidirectional devices, their terminals are not labeled as anode and
cathode but as A1 and A2 or MT1 ("Main Terminal") and MT2.

SIDAC

SIDAC

Idealized breakover diode voltage and current relationships. Once the voltage exceeds the turn-
on threshold, the device turns on and the voltage rapidly falls while the current increases.

The SIDAC is a less common electrically similar device, the difference in naming being
determined by the manufacturer. In general, SIDACs have higher breakover voltages and current
handling.

The SIDAC, or Silicon Diode for Alternating Current, is another member of the thyristor family.
Also referred to as a SYDAC (Silicon thYristor for Alternating Current), bi-directional thyristor
breakover diode, or more simply a bi-directional thyristor diode, it is technically specified as a
bilateral voltage triggered switch. Its operation is similar to that of the DIAC, but SIDAC is
always a five-layer device with low-voltage drop in latched conducting state, more like a voltage
triggered TRIAC without a gate. In general, SIDACs have higher breakover voltages and current
handling capacities than DIACs, so they can be directly used for switching and not just for
triggering of another switching device.

The operation of the SIDAC is functionally similar to that of a spark gap. The SIDAC remains
nonconducting until the applied voltage meets or exceeds its rated breakover voltage. Once
entering this conductive state going through the negative dynamic resistance region, the SIDAC
continues to conduct, regardless of voltage, until the applied current falls below its rated holding
current. At this point, the SIDAC returns to its initial nonconductive state to begin the cycle once
again.

Somewhat uncommon in most electronics, the SIDAC is relegated to the status of a special
purpose device. However, where part-counts are to be kept low, simple relaxation oscillators are
needed, and when the voltages are too low for practical operation of a spark gap, the SIDAC is
an indispensable component.

Similar devices, though usually not functionally interchangeable with SIDACs, are the Thyristor
Surge Protection Devices (TSPD), Trisil, SIDACtor, or the now-obsolete Surgector. These are
designed to tolerate large surge currents for the suppression of overvoltage transients. In many
applications this function is now served by metal oxide varistors (MOVs), particularly for
trapping voltage transients on the power mains.