THYRISTOR

 Thyristor :
 Condition For ON/OFF :
 Two Transistor Model For SCR :
 Type :
 Protection & Cooling :
 A thyristor is a four
layer semiconductor device, consisting of
alternating P type and N type materials
(PNPN). A thyristor usually has three
electrodes: an anode, a cathode, and a gate
(control electrode).

 Thyristor to turn-“ON” we need to inject a
small trigger pulse of current (not a continuous
current) into the Gate, (G) terminal when the
thyristor is in its forward direction, that is the
Anode, (A) is positive with respect to the
Cathode, (K), for regenerative
 Generally, this trigger pulse need only be of a few
micro-seconds in duration but the longer the Gate
pulse is applied the faster the internal avalanche
breakdown occurs and the faster the turn-“ON”
time of the thyristor, but the maximum Gate
current must not be exceeded. Once triggered and
fully conducting, the voltage drop across the
thyristor, Anode to Cathode, is reasonably
constant at about 1.0V for all values of Anode
current up to its rated value.

 Basic operating principle of SCR, can easily be
understood by the two transistor model of
SCR, as it is a combination of p and n layers.
 As per figure you can see two transistors
equivalent circuit of SCR. From the figure,
you can see the base of the transistor T1 is work
as the collector of the transistor T2 and collector
of the transistor T1 work as the base of the
transistor T2.
Two Transistor Analogy of SCR
 Working of the SCR can be easily explained
by two transistor model of SCR. As per figure
you can see with supply voltage V and load
resistance R is applied to SCR. Here first
Assume the supply voltage V is less than break
over voltage as is usually the case. When the
gate is open (i.e. switch S open), there is base
current Ib=0. For the base of the T2 is
connected with the collector of The T1.
Therefore, no current flows in the collector of
T2 and hence that of T1. So for this condition,
SCR is in OFF condition.
Whenever switch S is closed, a small gate current will
flow through the base of T2 which means its collector
current will increase. The collector of the transistor T2
is connected with transistor T1. So, the collector
current of T2 is the base current of T1. Therefore, the
collector current of T1 increases. But collector current
of T1 is the base current of T2. This action is
accumulative since an increase of current in one
transistor causes an increase of current in the other
transistor. As a result of this action, both transistors
are driven to saturation, and heavy current flows
through the load RL. Under such conditions, the SCR
close
 Following Are The Types Of
Thyristor
 SCRs

 GTOs

 ETOs

 RCTs
 TRIACs
 MTOs

 BCTs

 LASCRs

 FET-CTHs

 IGCTs
 There are different types of thyristor
protection schemes available for satisfactory
operation of the device like :

 Over voltage protection.

 Over current protection.
 High dv/dt protection.
 High di/dt protection.
 Thermal protection.