THYRISTOR

SHOCKLEY DIODE
SILICON CONTROL RECTIFIER (SCR)
DIODE ALTERNATING CURRENT (DIAC)
TRIODE ALTERNATING CURRENT ()RIAC

INTRODUCTION
Semiconductor devices that constructed of four semiconductor
layer (pnpn).
There are four (4) types of thyristors:
1)
2)
3)
4)

4- Layer Diode/ Shockley Diode

Silicon Control Rectifier, SCR
Diode Alternating Current, DIAC
Triode Alternating Current, TRIAC

Can be used to control the amount of AC power to the load and are used
in lamp dimmer, motor speed controls , ignition system and etc.

THE BASIC 4- LAYER DIODE/ SHOCKLEY DIODE

Shockley diode have two terminals, the anode and the cathode.

Its constructed of four semiconductor layer that form pnpn structure

as shown in figure (a).

CONT.
Its schematic symbol is shown in figure (b).

CONT.
The pnpn structure can be presented by a equivalent circuit consists
of a pnp transistor and npn transistor as shown on figure (a).
The upper pnp layers form Q1 and the lower npn layer form
Q2, with the middle layers shared by both equivalent transistors.
The base emitter junction of Q1= pn junction 1
The base emitter junction of Q2 = pn junction 3

The base collector junction of both Q1 and Q2 = pn junction 2

CONT.
When a positive bias voltage is applied to the anode with respect
to the cathode as shown in figure (b),
The base emitter junction of Q1 and Q2 (pn junction 1
and 3) are forward bias.
The common emitter base collector junction (pn junction 2)
is reverse biased.

SHOCKLEY DIODE OPERATION AND

CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
When Shockley diode in forward biases, it can act like an open
switch.
Thus it is in the OFF state or in forward blocking region.
This time, the device has a very high forward resistance.
As seen from figure, the forward blocking region exists
from = 0 up to a value = () (forward breakover
voltage).

CONT.
As is increased from 0 , the anode current will be increases.
will increased until its reached a point =
( = switching current)

At this point, =

and the internal transistor is saturated.

When this happens, the forward voltage drop suddenly decreases

to a low value and the Shockley diode enters the forward conduction
region as indicated in figure.
Now the device is in ON state and acts like close switch.
When drops back below the holding value. the device turns OFF.
( = holding current)

HOLDING CURRENT,
Once the Shockley diode is conducting (ON state) , it
will continue to conduct until the anode current is
reduced below specified level, called .
When , < the device rapidly switches back to
the OFF state and enters forward blocking region.

SWITCHING CURRENT,
Is the value of at the point where the device switches
from forward blocking region (OFF) to the forward
conduction region (ON)
This value is always less than the holding current.

<

APPLICATION
Shockley diode is rarely used in industry, however the principles
apply to the other family of thyristor.
Its not practically used because of the absence of controlling
terminal.

It has been replace by other types : SCR, DIAC and TRIAC

SILICON CONTROL RECTIFIER, SCR

SCR have three (3) terminals, the anode , the cathode and gate.

Its constructed of four semiconductor layer that form pnpn structure

as shown in figure (a).

CONT.
Its schematic symbol is shown in figure (b).

CONT.
The pnpn structure can be presented by a equivalent circuit
consists of a pnp transistor and npn transistor as shown on
figure.
The upper pnp layers form Q1 and the lower npn layer form

Q2, with the middle layers shared by both equivalent

transistors.

TURNING SCR ON
When the gate current, = 0 as shown in figure (a), the device
in OFF state.
In this state, resistance between anode to cathode is
very high and acts like a open switch.

CONT.
When a positive pulse of current (trigger) is applied to the
gate, both transistor turn ON (anode must be more positive
than the cathode).
2 turn on Q2, providing a path for 1 into the Q2 collector,
thus turning on Q1.
The collector current of Q1 provides additional base current
for Q2 so that Q2 stays in conduction after the trigger pulse is
removed from the gate .

CONT.
By this regenerative action, Q2 sustains the
saturated conduction of Q1 by providing a
path for 1 .
Q1 sustains the saturated conduction of Q2
by providing a path for 2 .
Thus , the device stay ON (latches) once it is
triggered ON.
In this state, resistance between anode to
cathode is very low and acts like a closed
switch.

SCR CHARACTERISTIC CURVE

Like Shockley diode, SCR can also turn on without gate
triggering = 0 by increasing anode to cathode voltage
to a value exceeding the forward breakover voltage,
() as shown in figure.
Although anode to cathode voltage in excess of
() will not damage the device if current is limited, this
situation should be avoided because normal control of the
SCR is lost.
Its should normally be triggered on only with a pulse at the
gate,

TURNING SCR OFF

When the gate current, = 0 after the trigger pulse is removed,
the SCR cannot turn OFF, its stay in the forward conduction region.
There are two basic method for turning OFF the SCR
1) Anode current interruption
2) Force commutation

NOTE: <

ANODE CURRENT INTERRUPTION

Either a momentary series or parallel switching arrangement as
shown in figure.

FORCE COMMUTATION
Requires momentarily forcing current
through SCR in the direction opposite to
the forward conduction so that the net
forward current is reduced below holding
current.
While the SCR is conducting, the switch is
open and C is charged to the supply
voltage through R as shown in (a).
To turn Off SCR, the switch is closed,
placing the C across SCR and forcing
current through it opposite to the forward
current as shown in (b).

APPLICATION
Control of ac power for lamp dimmer, electric heaters and electric
motors.

WAVEFORM

THE DIODE ALTERNATING CURRENT, DIAC

The DIAC has two (2) terminals, labelled A1 and A2.

The basic construction shown on figure (a)

CONT.
Its schematic symbol is shown in figure (b).

CONT.
The equivalent circuit of a DIAC consists of four
transistors arranged as shown in figure.

CONT.
When the diac is bias as in figure (b), the pnpn
structure from A1 to A2 provide the same operation as
describe for Shockley diode.
Q1 and Q2 are forward biased

Q3 and Q4 are reverse biased

The device operates on the upper right portion of the
characteristic curve in figure 11-25 under this bias
condition,

CONT.
When the diac is bias as in figure (c), the pnpn
structure from A1 to A2 provide the same operation as
describe for Shockley diode.
Q1 and Q2 are reverse biased

Q3 and Q4 are forward biased

Under this bias condition,the device operates on the
lower left portion of the characteristic curve in figure
11-25.

WAVEFORM

THE TRIODE ALTERNATING CURRENT, TRIAC

The TRIAC has three (3) terminals, labelled A1, A2 and gate.

The basic construction shown on figure (a)

CONT.
Its schematic symbol is shown in figure (b).

Basically, triac = two SCR connected in parallel

and in opposite direction with common gate terminals.
Differ with SCR it can conduct current in either direction
When it is triggered ON, depending on the polarity of voltage
across A1 and A2.

TRIAC CONDUCT POSITIVE CYCLE

In figure (a), terminal A1 is biased
positive with respect to A2, so the triac
conducts as shown when triggered by a
positive pulse at the gate terminal.
In equivalent circuit (b), shows the Q1 and
Q2 conduct when positive trigger pulse is
applied.

TRIAC CONDUCT NEGATIVE CYCLE

In figure (c), terminal A2 is biased positive
with respect to A1, so the triac conducts
as shown.
Therefore, Q3 and Q4 conduct as
indicate in figure (d) upon application of a
positive trigger pulse.

APPLICATION
Like SCR, triacs are also used to control
average power to a load by method of phase
control.
The triac can be triggered such that the ac
power is supplied to the load for a controlled
portion of each half cycle.
During each positive half cycle of the ac, the
triac is off for a certain interval, called the
delay angle (in degrees) and then its
triggered on and conducts current through the
load for the remaining portion of the positive
half cycle called the conduction angle.
Similar action occur on the negative half cycle.

WAVEFORM