Section 7: Thyristors and Switches

Section 7: Thyristors and Switches
Section Contents
This section contains the following:
• “Introducing Thyristors and Switches” on page 7-2.
Worksheets in this Section

The worksheets in this section begin on page 1 of Worksheet 7-1: SCRs: Simple Resistive Control of
an SCR.
• “Worksheet 7-1: SCRs: Simple Resistive Control of an SCR”

• “Worksheet 7-2: Investigating DIAC Characteristics”
• “Worksheet 7-3: SCR and DIAC”
• “Worksheet 7-4: Using Phase Shift and a DIAC to Control an SCR”
• “Worksheet 7-5: Application for a Voltage-Controlled Switch (VCS)”.
Circuits for this Section

The following is a list of the file names of circuits used in this section and a brief description
of each.
File (.ms10) Description

DiacCharacteristics DIAC Characteristics.
PhaseShiftControl Phase shift control of SCR conduction.
SCR1 SCR Familiarization (resistive control).
SCRDiac SCR with DIAC.
VoltageControlledSwitch A voltage controlled switch and RC circuit to make
up a relaxation oscillator.
7-2 Practical Teaching Ideas with Multisim
Introducing Thyristors and Switches

The exercises in this section are meant to generate student interest in the topic area of thyristors and
switches. They are intended to demonstrate to the student the characteristics of each device.
Several options exist for presentation, depending on program requirements and facilities:
• As a segment of a distance learning program
• As a classroom demonstration with over head projection
• With PowerPoint
• As a software lab.
It is hoped that these exercises will promote further interest in topic area theory. Basic characteristics
of switching devices such as the SCR, DIAC and the voltage controlled switch (VCS) will be
introduced. A phase shift control section is also included. There are a total of five .ms10 files
associated with this section.
Goal
To introduce the basic characteristics of switching devices such as the SCR and DIAC, simple phase
control of AC power with an SCR and DIAC as well as the VCS which is included in the Multisim
component list.
Prerequisites
Students are expected to have:
• Familiarity with Multisim and measurements, both AC and DC, using the scope and meters. (Or
see comments below)
• An introduction to the (very) basic theory of the SCR and DIAC
• Familiarity with RC time constants and phase shift in RC circuits.
Page 1 of 4
Worksheet 7-1:
SCRs: Simple Resistive Control of an SCR
Name:__________________________ ID Number:___________________ Class:___________
Starting Point
Open file SCR1.ms10.
Notes
• Potentiometer D is the "dimmer" control.
• The lamp flashes on when the SCR conducts.
© 2007 National Instruments Corporation. Permission is granted to duplicate this page for classroom use.
Page 2 of 4 Worksheet 7-1
Questions
1. Assuming that the SCR turns on (conducts) when the gate voltage reaches 1 V, and that the
dimmer control is set at 25% (250 ohms from wiper to ground), calculate the point in the AC
supply waveform that the SCR will turn on. (That is, at how many degrees?)
2. For this situation, calculate the conduction angle of the SCR.
3. Set the dimmer control at 25% and solve the circuit. Confirm, by measurements, the calculated
values from steps 1 and 2.
4. Find the conduction angle:

a) Determine experimentally the dimmer settings at which the SCR conducts fully (conduction
angle > 170 degrees) and just stops conducting.
Worksheet 7-1 Page 3 of 4
b) Confirm with calculations that these points agree with theory.
5. Record the values of Vgt, Igt and Ih for the ideal SCR.
6. Change the power rating of the lamp to 10 watts, set the dimmer to 25% and solve the circuit.
7. Explain why the SCR comes out of conduction before the supply voltage reaches zero as it did
previously.
8. Change the SCR from the ideal model to a 2N1599. Solve the circuit and explain why this SCR
conducts to the end of the positive half cycle. (Check the model values).
9. Choose a different SCR and repeat steps 1 - 3. Report briefly on the results of this investigation.
Page 1 of 2
Worksheet 7-2:
Investigating DIAC Characteristics
Starting Point
Open file DiacCharacteristics.ms10.
Notes
• Potentiometer D varies the voltage applied to the DIAC
• The 100 ohm resistor limits DIAC current to a safe level.
Questions
1. Assuming the DIAC turns on (conducts) when the applied voltage reaches 10 V, and that the
input control is set at 50% (500 ohms from wiper to ground), calculate the point in the AC supply
waveform at which the DIAC will turn on. (How many degrees?)
2. Set the input control at 50% and solve the circuit. Confirm, by measuring, the calculated value
from step 2.
3. Vary the input. Record the input voltage at which the DIAC stops conducting. Explain.
4. Record the values of Vs, Vtm and Ih for the ideal DIAC (obtained from the Edit Model window).
Page 1 of 4
Worksheet 7-3:
SCR and DIAC
Starting Point
Open file SCRDiac.ms10.
Notes
• Potentiometer A is the "dimmer" control
• The lamp flashes on when the SCR conducts.
Questions
1. Assume that the SCR turns on (conducts) when the gate voltage reaches 1 V, the dimmer control
is set at 50% (2.5 k from wiper to ground), and the DIAC breakdown voltage is 10 V. Calculate
the point in the AC supply waveform that the SCR will turn on (that is, at how many degrees?).
values from step 2 and 3.
4. Find the conduction angle:

b) Confirm with calculations that these points agree with theory.
5. Record the values of Vgt, Igt and Ih for the ideal SCR (obtained from the Edit Model dialog).
6. Change the power rating of the lamp to 10 watts, set the dimmer to 50% and solve the circuit.
Explain why the SCR comes out of conduction before the supply voltage reaches zero as it did
previously.
Page 1 of 4
Worksheet 7-4:
Using Phase Shift and a DIAC to Control an SCR
Starting Point
Open file PhaseShiftControl.ms10.
Notes
• This activity shows the students how phase shift and a DIAC allow wider conduction control of
an SCR.
• Potentiometer D is the "dimmer" control.
• Note that the lamp flashes on when the SCR conducts.
Questions
1. Assume that the SCR turns on (conducts) when the gate voltage reaches 1 V, the dimmer control
is set at 50% (10 k) and the DIAC breakdown voltage is 10 V. Calculate the point in the AC
supply waveform that the SCR will turn on. (How many degrees?)
values from step 2 and 3. (Include measurement of phase shift of the voltage at point A in the
circuit.)
4. Dimmer settings:
b) Confirm, with calculations that these points agree with theory.
5. Report briefly on the results of this investigation, including an explanation of the much greater
control this circuit has on conduction angle than either of the simpler control circuits. (See files
SCR1.ms10 and SCRDiac.ms10).
Page 1 of 2
Worksheet 7-5:
Application for a Voltage-Controlled Switch (VCS)
Starting Point
Open file VoltageControlledSwitch.ms10.
Notes
• This circuit may be used to demonstrate or investigate RC time constants.
• This circuit is a relaxation oscillator which simulates the operation of a 555 timer as an astable
oscillator. The VCS is set to close when the voltage is 10 V (or 2/3 Vcc as the upper threshold in
a 555 timer) and open when the voltage is at 5 V (or 1/3 Vcc as is the lower threshold in a 555).
Questions
1. Solve the circuit and measure times for charge and discharge of the capacitor.
2. Compare charge and discharge times with theoretical values using RC time constant theory.
3. For additional investigations, set the threshold voltages of the VCS by double-clicking the VCS.

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Section 7: Thyristors and Switches

Worksheets in this Section

• “Worksheet 7-1: SCRs: Simple Resistive Control of an SCR”

Circuits for this Section

File (.ms10) Description

Introducing Thyristors and Switches

Name:__________________________ ID Number:___________________ Class:___________

2. For this situation, calculate the conduction angle of the SCR.

4. Find the conduction angle:

b) Confirm with calculations that these points agree with theory.

Name:__________________________ ID Number:___________________ Class:___________

Name:__________________________ ID Number:___________________ Class:___________

2. For this situation, calculate the conduction angle of the SCR.

4. Find the conduction angle:

b) Confirm with calculations that these points agree with theory.

Name:__________________________ ID Number:___________________ Class:___________

2. For this situation, calculate the conduction angle of the SCR.

b) Confirm, with calculations that these points agree with theory.

Name:__________________________ ID Number:___________________ Class:___________

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