If my interpretation of the datasheet is correct to turn the SCR on a gate current of between 1A and 8A should be applied, and the current between the anode and cathode should be kept above 1A? I'd just like to check as i've never used these before.

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...vYD4CQ&usg=AFQjCNEWUfW4LuOeAEL8I_szEDxN6O50EQ

 

Where did you get 1 to 8A? The datasheet specifies 50 mA max gate current (Table 3, electrical characteristics, row 1).

EDIT: Ah, I see. 8A is the maximum surge current the gate can survive, but that was only tested for 20 microseconds. Under normal operation, you should never bias the SCR gate above the nominal maximum value, which in this case is 50 mA.

 

Where did you get 1 to 8A? The datasheet specifies 50 mA max gate current (Table 3, electrical characteristics, row 1).

EDIT: Ah, I see. 8A is the maximum surge current the gate can survive, but that was only tested for 20 microseconds. Under normal operation, you should never bias the SCR gate above the nominal maximum value, which in this case is 50 mA.

Apologies, I put up a slightly incorrect datasheet before (my specific model is the 800RG not the 1200N) so here is the link to the correct one, it is very similar to the previous.
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&...loDwDQ&usg=AFQjCNHZX4xr9WznbIBodAfthUIbrPcmcQ

This sheet still lists a similar Igt at the top of the sheet in the main features table (80mA), But I was looking at figure 4 and it shows the gate trigger current (and latching +holding currents) to be around 1A at room temperature. I'm confused as to which one should be used.

 

Apologies, I put up a slightly incorrect datasheet before (my specific model is the 800RG not the 1200N) so here is the link to the correct one, it is very similar to the previous.
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CD8QFjAE&url=http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1689730.pdf&ei=G1AeVLelBcKB8gXuloDwDQ&usg=AFQjCNHZX4xr9WznbIBodAfthUIbrPcmcQ

This sheet still lists a similar Igt at the top of the sheet in the main features table (80mA), But I was looking at figure 4 and it shows the gate trigger current (and latching +holding currents) to be around 1A at room temperature. I'm confused as to which one should be used.

That is relative current. It shows the amount of variation in required current based on temperature. 25 degrees Celcius is considered ambient temperature under normal conditions, and most values printed on datasheets are obtained at this temperature (Tables 4: Electrical Characteristics (Tj= 25°C, unless otherwise specified)). This graph allows you to derate your gate current with respect to the junction temperature of your SCR. That is why the line for Igt crosses 1 at 25C.

So we know this SCR has a max nominal gate current of 80 mA. At a higher temperature, this allowable max current will go down as the junction temperature increases. As an example, let's say that your application called for running the SCR with a junction temperature of 60 C. Looking at the graph, this would derate your gate current by ~0.7, so your max nominal gate current would be 0.7 * 80 mA = 56 mA.

Clear as mud?

 

That is relative current. It shows the amount of variation in required current based on temperature. 25 degrees Celcius is considered ambient temperature under normal conditions, and most values printed on datasheets are obtained at this temperature (Tables 4: Electrical Characteristics (Tj= 25°C, unless otherwise specified)). This graph allows you to derate your gate current with respect to the junction temperature of your SCR. That is why the line for Igt crosses 1 at 25C.

So we know this SCR has a max nominal gate current of 80 mA. At a higher temperature, this allowable max current will go down as the junction temperature increases. As an example, let's say that your application called for running the SCR with a junction temperature of 60 C. Looking at the graph, this would derate your gate current by ~0.7, so your max nominal gate current would be 0.7 * 80 mA = 56 mA.

Clear as mud?

Yeah that chart makes sense now. The electrical characteristics table is still confusing me though.

From that table it says that the max/min for the gate current is 80mA to 8mA respectively (I assume inside this range means the SCR is turned on). However it says that the maximum latching current is 200mA and max holding current is 150mA. This confuses me because the max latching current is well above the 80mA maximum given (maybe the 200mA is for a short time only?) . Also I thought the holding current was the minimum current that needed to flow between the anode and cathode to keep the SCR turned on, therefore the maximum would be 50A?

Also I'm not quite sure what Vd and Rl refer to in the top of that table either.

 

The Holding Current is the minimum anode-cathode current required to keep the SCR conducting current. Below that current the SCR may turn-off. It has nothing to do with the gate current.

The Latching Current is the minimum anode-cathode current required to insure that the SCR will turn on when triggered by the gate current. Once it is turned on then the Holding Current value is valid.

The call those values maximum, but that seems confusing.

 

The Holding Current is the minimum anode-cathode current required to keep the SCR conducting current. Below that current the SCR may turn-off. It has nothing to do with the gate current.

The Latching Current is the minimum anode-cathode current required to insure that the SCR will turn on when triggered by the gate current. Once it is turned on then the Holding Current value is valid.

The call those values maximum, but that seems confusing.

Yeah that's what I thought, the maximum label was confusing. The only thing I don't get now is why the max value for Igt (I assume this is current through the gate?) is only 80mA?

 

Yeah that's what I thought, the maximum label was confusing. The only thing I don't get now is why the max value for Igt (I assume this is current through the gate?) is only 80mA?

I would assume the small gate junction area can't tolerate a steady current any greater than that without damage. It's similar to the maximum base current rating of a BJT.

 

I would assume the small gate junction area can't tolerate a steady current any greater than that without damage. It's similar to the maximum base current rating of a BJT.

I would assume the small gate junction area can't tolerate a steady current any greater than that without damage. It's similar to the maximum base current rating of a BJT.

Yeah that makes sense. 1 last question, what is the Rl in the test conditions refering to?

 

Yeah that makes sense. 1 last question, what is the Rl in the test conditions refering to?

Load resistance to set current flowing through the SCR.