Uses of Silicon Controlled Rectifier in Electronic Circuits – Structure and Applications

As we all know that there are many types of electronic components, from active electronics to passive electronics. Of the many components, there is one component of electronics called SCR.

Yes, maybe some of you are still a bit unfamiliar with the SCR component name. Indeed, this one component is not one component of basic electronics. For those of you who want to know the information about Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR), what are its functions, and how the principle works, just take a good look at the following reviews.

In this article, we would like to discuss Uses of Silicon Controlled Rectifier in Electronic Circuits. (Read Chemicals Used in Electric Car Batteries)

Before discusing it, we would like to discuss the rectifier.

The rectifier is a circuit that converts the alternating current signal (AC) into a direct current signal (DC). One half-wave rectifier is the simplest type of rectifier.

Based on the semiconductor used and the variation of the output voltage, the three-phase rectifier can be classified into:

  1. Uncontrollable surrender.
  2. Controlled rectifier.

Generally a controlled rectifier seniconductor uses a semiconductor material in the form of a thyristor, or using a thyristor and a diode simultaneously.

Based on the semiconducting materials used and the controlled three-phase controlled rectifier system generally can be divided into:

  1. Half wave Rectifiers
  2. Full wave Rectifiers-Full Controller
  3. Full wave Rectifiers-Semi Controller

Matters in handling techniques include rectifier transformers, over voltage disturbances or overcurrent diodes / thyristors, blind power requirements for rectifying loads, harmonics arising from non-sine waves and electronic circuit controls.

Understanding SCR

SCR stands for Silicon Controlled Rectifier which is one type of diode that has a function as a controller. Unlike most diodes that have only two legs, the anode and cathode legs, the SCR has three legs. Besides the anode and cathode, SCR has a foot called the terminal gate or gate.

The terminal serves as a controller. Note that this SCR component is still entered into the family of thyristor components first introduced in 1956. SCR has the ability to control power and high voltage. Therefore, this component usually functioned as a voltage switch or middle to upstream currents. 

Some types of circuit that often use SCR components such as logic circuit, dimmer lamp, oscillator, chopper, motor speed controller, inverter, timer, and many others. The way SCR works is no different from the two bipolar transistors that are connected.

SCR or Tyristor still belong to a semiconductor family with characteristics similar to thiratron tubes. As the controller is gate (G). SCR is often called Therystor. SCR is actually a mixture of P and N. The SCR content consists of PNPN (Positive-Negative-Positive-Negative) and is usually called PNPN Trioda. (Read also Chemicals used in battery industry)

In addition, Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) is one component that is similar to a transistor because it has three legs. But the foot on the SCR is not the same as the legs found on the transistor. The legs contained in the SCR consist of; A = Anode, G = Gate, K = Cathode.

The SCR has a wide range of power and power, such as SCR that has power and power of 100 V / 2A. This means the SCR can only be used no more than 2 Ampere or equal to no more than 200 Watt.

Then, what are the uses of sillicon controlled rectifier in electronic circuits?

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Uses of Silicon Controlled Rectifier in Electronic Circuits

Here Are Uses of Silicon Controlled Rectifier in Electronic Circuits:

  1. As a switch circuit (switch control)

In a series of electronics, it has function a electronic components in breaking and connecting currents and voltage.

  1. To convert alternating current (AC) into one-way (DC) current.
    Besides being a switch, diode also has a primary function as an electric current rectifier. If any current passing through the pole in the wrong direction will be stopped so that it can not pass. Because of this unique characteristic so that the diode can be used to convert alternating current (AC) into one-way (DC) current.
    To rectify AC current into DC fully one gate wave it takes 4 pieces of diode if using non-CT transformer (center tap).
  2. As a series of controllers (remote control)

There are three major groups for this semiconductor which can both function as Switching at a voltage of 120 volts to 240 volts. The three groups are SCR itself, DIAC and TRIAC.

SCR Working Principle

The workings of the SCR are the same as the diodes in general that is to direct the direct current from the Anode terminal to the Cathode, but to connect between the Anode terminal and the Cathode terminal using the Gate controller terminal.

To activate SCR (for anode and cathode terminals to connect) then the Gate terminal must be flown first as a trigger or trigger.

When the Gate Gate is electrified, the SCR will be active, between the Anode and Cathode terminals connected so that the electric current can flow from the Anode terminal to the Cathode. And if the Gate terminal has not been fed by a positive current back (the positive current to the Gate terminal is removed), the SCR will still remain active.

To activate this SCR can be done by reducing the forward current from the Anode terminal to the Cathode until it reaches the point of current holding in the SCR. The current holding point on each SCR varies depending on the SCR specification.

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Holding current on the SCR is the minimum current that must be maintained for the SCR to work or be active. But in essence to mengnon enable SCR can be done by eliminating or zeroing the forward current from the terminal Anode to Cathode.

SCR electronic components are often used in the automotive field, for example is SCR component is used on CDI ignition system AC and CDI DC ignition system in vehicles, especially on motorcycle vehicles. SCR disistem ignition CDI serves as a trigger capasitor to release the current stored in it to generate electrical induction on the ignition coil.

That’s all the  information about understanding, function, and working principle of SCR. Hopefully this information can provide benefits for loyal readers