>>The voltage and current ratings on SCRs are maximums. I.e. in your
>>case, if you put more than 200 volts across the SCR, it will damage
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Mark Zenier mzenier@eskimo.com
> Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)
>Mark Zenier wrote:
>> In article <xn3b3r1ih5.fsf@delorie.com>, DJ Delorie <dj@delorie.com> wrote:
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>> Won't it just self trigger? So any damage will depend on
>> whether the rest of the circuit limited the current.
>No, an SCR needs a trigger current on a separate lead.
>It has an anode, cathode and gate. The trigger is applied
>to the gate:
That's the ideal case. What happens to an SCR if used outside of its
ratings?
As I understand it, if you apply too much voltage to an SCR anode, it
leaks current, and that current acts the same as the trigger current into
the gate, causing the device to flip into conduction. But since that's
behavior outside of the device specs, it's not guaranteed at what voltage,
just that it's higher than the rating.
Mark Zenier mzenier@eskimo.com
Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)
ehsjr - 31 Mar 2007 18:50 GMT
>>Mark Zenier wrote:
>>
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> Mark Zenier mzenier@eskimo.com
> Googleproofaddress(account:mzenier provider:eskimo domain:com)
There is a forward voltage at which the SCR will conduct in the
absence of gate current - and you might get away with it, without
damaging the SCR. But you might not.
It is better to treat the ratings as they are intended:
they are maximums which are not to be exceeded.
That does not invalidate your observation. In fact, they used
to provide a breakover voltage level at which conduction would
occur in the absence of gate current, and a peak forward voltage
rating not to be exceeded. As long as your voltage was between
the two levels, you could get the effect you mentioned, without
damage.
Ed