What is SCR?

The term SCR stands for silicon-controlled rectifier which is one of the most important members of the thyristor family. A silicon-controlled rectifier or semiconductor-controlled rectifier is a four-layer solid-state current-controlling device.

SCR Symbol

The silicon-controlled rectifier is a one-way current control device. Like a simple p-n junction diode, it allows current to flow in one direction only and prevents current from flowing in another direction. A common p-n junction diode is made of two semiconductor layers, P-type and N-type. However, an SCR diode is made of 4 semiconductor layers with alternating P and N-type materials.

SCR Applications

Below are some important applications of Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR)

The silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) is used in AC voltage stabilizers.
The silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) is used as a switch.
It is used in choppers.
The silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) is used in inverters.
The silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) is used for power control.
It is used for DC circuit breakers.
A silicon control rectifier (SCR) is used in a battery charger.
It is used to Adjust the light dimmer.
It is used to control motors speed.
The SCR is used in the pulse circuits.
It is used for AC power control with a solid relay.

SCR Full Form

SCR full form – silicon-controlled rectifier

SCR full form in Electronics

Silicon Controlled Rectifier or Semiconductor Controlled Rectifier

SCR full form in Electrical

Silicon Controlled Rectifier or just Thyristor

Types of Thyristors

Silicon controlled thyristor or SCRs
Gate turn off thyristors or GTOs
Emitter turn off thyristors or ETOs
Reverse conducting thyristors or RCTs
Bidirectional Triode Thyristors or TRIACs
MOS turn off thyristors or MTOs
Bidirectional phase controlled thyristors or BCTs
Fast switching thyristors or SCRs
Light-activated silicon controlled rectifiers or LASCRs
FET controlled thyristors or FET-CTHs
Integrated gate commutated Thyristors or IGCTs

Silicon controlled thyristor or SCRs

Silicon-controlled rectifiers or SCRs are used primarily in power applications. An SCR is a semiconductor device that conducts electric current when activated, and blocks current when deactivated. The on and off states of an SCR are controlled by the presence or absence of a controlled current through its gate, which is a control wire in the semiconductor. The majority of SCRs use a thyristor as a control element, though some use an SCR alone.

Gate turn off thyristors or GTOs

Gate turn-off thyristors or GTOs are used to control the flow of a gate device. They are usually controlled by a digital signal which is sent to the gate turn-on thyristors or GTOs. The thyristors or GTOs act like a switch, turning the flow of current off when the signal is high and on when the signal is low. The signal can be set up to turn on multiple thyristors or GTOs in parallel to control the flow of a larger current.

SCR Applications | What is SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier)