Chapter 13

Topics Covered in Chapter 13
• The Four-Layer Diode

• The Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)
• The SCR Crowbar
• SCR Phase Control
• Bi-directional Thyristor
• IGBTs
• Photo-SCR
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., Permission required for reproduction or display
Thyristors
• The thyristor is often described as
semiconductor device that uses positive
internal feedback to control a switch-like
action.
The Four-Layer Diode
• When the device exceeds the breakover voltage

“VB”, the voltage across the device drops to the
knee voltage “VK” (≈ 0.7 V).
• It conducts while “I” > holding current “IH.”
• A change in the base
current of Q2 is fed back
into the base of Q1 which
in turn magnifies the
change in Q2. This
feedback will drive both
transistors into either
saturation or cut-off.
• The circuit is stable in
both an open and closed
state. The transistors
will remain in their
current state until they
are influenced by an
outside force. This is
why the circuit is
commonly referred to as
a “latch.”
• If the VCC is large enough
to cause the collector
diode in Q1 to breakdown,
the collector current of Q1
will cause the base
current of Q2 to increase.
This positive feedback will
drive both transistors into
saturation.
• The latch will “open”
when VCC is reduced to
zero volts. As VCC
approaches zero volts,
the latch current also
drops, causing the
transistors to come out
of saturation and go into
cut-off.
The Four-layer Diode
The breakover voltage is 10 V.
Determine the diode current. Use the
second approximation for the diode.
VRL
ID 
RL
VCC  VK
ID 
RL
20V  0.7V
ID 
1k 
ID  19.3 mA
The Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)
• The SCR is triggered
when the gate voltage
exceeds the gate trigger
voltage (VGT) and the gate
current exceeds the gate
trigger current (IGT).
• The trigger voltage can be a single
short pulse. It does not need to remain
present.
• The SCR is reset by

reducing the current
flowing through the SCR
to less than the holding
current (IH).
Determine the input voltage required to
trigger the SCR and the supply voltage
that will shut off the SCR.
Given: VGT = 0.75 V, IGT = 7 mA, IH = 6 mA
Vin  VGT VRG
Vin  VGT  (IGT x RG )
Vin  0.75V  (7 mA x 1k )
Vin  7.75V
Determine the input voltage required to
trigger the SCR and the supply voltage
that will shut off the SCR.
Given: VGT = 0.75 V, IGT = 7 mA, IH = 6 mA
VCC  VD  VRL
VCC  VD  (IH x RL )
VCC  0.7V  (6 mA x 1k )
VCC  6.7V
The SCR Crowbar
The SCR crowbar circuit (and many variations)

are used to protect voltage sensitive equipment.
The SCR Crowbar
If the output of the power supply exceeds

VZ + VGT, the SCR shorts the output of the
power supply to ground.
The SCR Crowbar
The load requires +12 VDC. It can not handle
voltages > 13 V. Design an SCR Crowbar
circuit to protect the load.
Given: VGT = 0.75 V, IGT = 7 mA.
The SCR Crowbar
The load requires a +12 VDC. It can not
handle voltages > 13 V. Design an SCR
Crowbar circuit to protect the load.
(VZ + VGT) < VL(max)

(VZ + .75V) < 13 V
VZ ≈12.24 V
A 12 V Zener is selected.
The SCR Crowbar
VGT
R
IGT
0.75V
R
7 mA
R  107   100
The SCR Crowbar
When the P.S.

exceeds 12.75 V,
the SCR will trigger,
protecting the load.
The IC Crowbar
The IC crowbar is an integrated circuit that
contains an SCR crowbar circuit in a single
IC.
The SK series are available for all the

common DC power supply values:
• SK9345 +5 V
• SK9346 +12 V
• SK9347 +15V.
SCR Phase Control
• The SCR only conducts in one direction,
like a standard diode.
• When R1 is 0 Ω, the SCR behaves like a
rectifier diode.
SCR Phase Control
• As R1 increases, so does the time required
to charge C1. This in turn causes the gate
voltage to lag the line voltage by a range of
0◦ to 90◦.
SCR Phase Control
• Firing Angle ( θfire )

• The angle at which the SCR conducts.
• Conduction Angle ( θconduction )

• The angle between the start and end
of the SCR conducting.
SCR Phase Control
1
XC 
2 fC
Impedance and phase angle of the RC phase-shift
circuit. X
ZT  R 2  X C2 Z    arctan C
R
The voltage and phase angle of the capacitor.
Vin 0
IC  VC  IC   X C   90 
XC
ZT   arctan
R
The conduction angle = 180◦ - |θfire |.
False Triggering on an SCR
• An ac voltage applied to the anode of

an SCR can cause false triggering.
• A “RC snubber circuit” can prevent false

triggering.
• The “RC snubber circuit” limits the rate

at which the ac voltage can change.
• Each SCR has a critical rate of voltage

rise listed on the data sheet.
• Large SCRs may also have a critical rate

of current rise listed on their data sheets.
• An inductor in series with the load limits
the rate of change in the current.
Bidirectional Thyristors
The Diac can latch current in either
direction. It can be thought of as two
4-layer diodes in reverse parallel.
Diac
Triac Crowbar
• The Triac crowbar can be used to protect

the load from excessive ac source voltage.
IGBTs
The insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)
evolved from the power MOSFET.
• Low conduction loss.

• Fast switching speed.
• High zin
• Ideal for high-voltage and high-current
applications at moderate frequencies.
Photo-SCR
When light passes through a window and
strikes the depletion layers, the photo-SCR
conducts. It will continue to conduct even if
the light source is removed.
• Maximum sensitivity is achieved by

leaving the gate unconnected.
• A variable resistor between the gate and
ground can control the sensitivity.
Photo-SCR
Maximum Adjustable
Sensitivity Sensitivity

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Chapter 13

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Topics Covered in Chapter 13

• The Four-Layer Diode

• When the device exceeds the breakover voltage

• The SCR is reset by

The SCR crowbar circuit (and many variations)

If the output of the power supply exceeds

(VZ + VGT) < VL(max)

When the P.S.

The SK series are available for all the

• Firing Angle ( θfire )

• Conduction Angle ( θconduction )

• An ac voltage applied to the anode of

• A “RC snubber circuit” can prevent false

• The “RC snubber circuit” limits the rate

• Each SCR has a critical rate of voltage

• Large SCRs may also have a critical rate

• The Triac crowbar can be used to protect

• Low conduction loss.

• Maximum sensitivity is achieved by

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