DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL

EDUCATION,A.P.

Name : B.RAJARAO.
Designation : Lecturer.
Branch : Electronics &
communication Engg.
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic,
Visakhapatnam.
Year/Semester : III Semester.
Subject : Electronics –I.
Subject Code : EE-305.
Topic : Special devices(4/6) .
Duration : 50Mts.
Sub Topic : VI characteristics of SCR.
Teaching Aids : Diagrams.
EE-305.42 1
 Objective
s
• Upon completion of this period the student will be able
to know

• Forward break over voltage of SCR.

• Forward characteristics of SCR.

• Reverse characteristics of SCR.

EE-305.42 2
 SCR

DEVICE

EE-305.42 3
 SCR
• .

SYMBOL

EE-305.42 4
 SCR

TERMINALS
IDENTIFICATION

EE-305.42 5
FORWARD CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• FORWARD BIASING

EE-305.42 6
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• Let us consider IG=0.

• This curve shows the

variation of current
with applied voltage
when gate is opened.

EE-305.42 7
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• For smaller values for

anode to cathode
voltage a small
leakage current in the
order of microamperes
(µA).

• This current is known

as forward leakage
current.

EE-305.42 8
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR
.

• As long as the VAK is

less than VBO the SCR
remains in off state
and there is no
significant
improvement in
anode current.

EE-305.42 9
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• .

• Whenever, the anode

to cathode voltage
exceeds VBO the SCR
conducts heavily and
behaves like a closed
switch.

EE-305.42 10
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR
.

• At this stage the

voltage across the
SCR falls to very small
value . but anode
current starts to raise
rapidly.

EE-305.42 11
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• Now let us assume

that a small
current applied for
the gate (IG=IG1).

• In this case the

SCR switches on
for lower forward
voltage than break
over voltage. EE-305.42 12
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• Similarly the value

of IG is increased the
conduction of SCR
starts still earlier
with the applied
voltage.

• To switch the SCR

off , the forward
current (IF) must be
reduced below a
minimum level EE-305.42 13
known as holding
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR
.

• The holding current

is the minimum
level of forward
current that
maintains on
condition of SCR .

EE-305.42 14
REVERSE CHARACTERISTICS
OF SCR

EE-305.42 15
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• When anode is
negative with
respect to cathode,
SCR is said to be
reverse biased.

EE-305.42 16
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• In this case, junctions

J1 and J3 are reverse
biased while junction
J2 is forward biased.

• Therefore small
leakage current
(around 100µA) flows,
which is known as
reverse blocking
current.

EE-305.42 17
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• If the reverse bias is

increased gradually
,at one instant the
reverse biased
junctions J1 and J3
breakdown(due to
either zener effect or
avalanche effect)
causing a large
reverse current to
flow.

EE-305.42 18
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• If this reverse
current is not limited
by a suitable
resistor, the device
would be destroyed.

• The reverse voltage

at which SCR
conducts heavily is
called “the reverse
breakdown voltage “
.

EE-305.42 19
 VI CHARACTERISTICS OF SCR

• It is to be noted that
the reverse voltage
for an SCR should
always be less than
the reverse
breakdown
voltage to avoid the
destruction of the
device .

EE-305.42 20
 Summar
y

• In reverse bias SCR behaves like a PN junction

diode.

• In forward bias condition J1 and J3 junctions are

forward biased,J2 junction reverse biased.

• The thickness of J2 depletion layer during

forward bias conditions will be more than the
thickness of J1& J3 when the device is in reverse
biased

EE-305.42 21
 QUIZ

• In forward bias condition of an SCR

(a) Two out of three junctions are forward

biased

(b) One out of three junctions are forward

biased

(c) All three junctions are reverse biased

(d) None
EE-305.42 22
 Frequently asked questions

2. Explain the VI characteristics of SCR ?

4. Draw the vi characteristics SCR ?

3. Define the terms holding current and

latching current ?

EE-305.42 23