Week 2 Thyristors
Week 2 Thyristors
Week 2 Thyristors
THYRISTOR
• A thyristor is a four-layer device with alternating P-type and N-type
semiconductors (P-N-P-N).
• In its most basic form, a thyristor has three terminals: anode (positive
terminal), cathode (negative terminal), and gate (control terminal). The
gate controls the flow of current between the anode and cathode.
• The primary function of a thyristor is to control electric power and current
by acting as a switch. For such a small and lightweight component, it
offers adequate protection to circuits with large voltages and currents (up
to 6000 V, 4500 A).
THYRISTOR
• The device acts as a switch and remains off until the forward voltage reaches
a certain value; then it turns on and conducts. Conduction continues until the
current is reduced below a specified value
THYRISTOR
SHOCKLEY DIODE
• The 4-layer diode (also known
as Shockley diode and SUS) is
a type of thyristor, which is a
class of devices constructed of
four semiconductor layers.
SHOCKLEY DIODE
• Holding Current Once the 4-layer
diode is conducting (in the on
state), it will continue to conduct
until the anode current is reduced
below a specified level, called the
holding current, IH
SHOCKLEY
DIODE
SILICON CONTROLLED RECTIFIER (SCR)
• Like the 4-layer diode, the SCR has two possible states of operation. In the
off state, it acts ideally as an open circuit between the anode and the cathode;
actually, rather than an open, there is a very high resistance.
• In the on state, the SCR acts ideally as a short from the anode to the cathode;
actually, there is a small on (forward) resistance.
• The LASCR operates as an SCR except it is triggered by light
SILICON CONTROLLED
RECTIFIER (SCR)
• Four layer device
• 3 junction
• 3 terminal
*If pulse is applied at the gate IG : Q2 is on providing current at base of Q1, thus providing current at collector of Q1, back to base of Q2
*This will be a regenerative process, so device “latches” and stays ON
• When the gate returns to 0 V after the trigger pulse is removed, the SCR
cannot turn off; it stays in the forward-conduction region.
• The anode current must drop below the value of the holding current, in order
for turn-off to occur
LASCR
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Determine the gate trigger current and the anode current when the switch, SW1, is momentarily
closed. Assume VAK = 0.2 V and VGK = 0.7 V
DIAC AND TRIAC
• Both the diac and the triac are types of thyristors that can conduct current in both
directions (bilateral).
• The difference between the two devices is that a diac has two terminals, while a triac has
a third terminal, which is the gate for triggering.
• The diac functions basically like two parallel 4-layer diodes turned in opposite
directions.
• The triac functions basically like two parallel SCRs turned in opposite directions with a
common gate terminal.
DIAC
FB RB RB FB
DIAC
TRIAC
• A triac is like a diac with a gate terminal.
• A triac can be turned on by a pulse of gate current and does not
require the breakover voltage to initiate conduction, as does
the diac.
• Basically, a triac can be thought of simply as two SCRs
connected in parallel and in opposite directions with a common
gate terminal.
• Unlike the SCR, the triac can conduct current in either
direction when it is triggered on, depending on the polarity of
the voltage across its and A terminals.
TRIAC
• Working principle and application
• https://youtu.be/R3C69On9RVI
• https://youtu.be/rIMexAWE6Cc
DIAC AND
TRIAC
SILICON-CONTROLLED SWITCH (SCS)