How does a Thyristor work?

Do you know that a semiconductor device called a ‘thyristor’ solves the huge issue of power transfer from a generating station to consumers located far away? Traditional AC power transmissions face huge power losses and also suffer from the issue of stability and controllability. For long distance power transmission, HVDC technology is the right choice. In HVDC, bulk amounts of AC power have to be converted to DC with the help of converting stations. After that the DC power is transmitted to the consumers. This important task of conversion is performed by a unique semiconductor switching device called a ‘thyristor’, more specifically by silicon-controlled rectifiers. Let’s explore how a thyristor works.

[dmfraser]

I designed and built a lot of gear in the 70s using SCRs and Triacs in disco lighting control gear. I knew how they behaved very well but never really knew the actual way they operated. I see now how the SCR anyway worked.

[NoosaHeads]

I wish we had benefited from such audio visual aids when I did electrical engineering (late 60s). At the time, we were only told the _outcomes_ and then had to learn the mathematical theory by rote. I don't think a single student graduated with a true understanding about the ionic or molecular issues. At the time, thyristors were described by or lecturers as a mysterious semiconductor that could switch large currents - and that was about it. They didn't even refer to Shockley as the progenitor. Many applications, at the time were using huge thyratrons - some were water cooled. When they burst, the fun really started.

[rayoflight]

An improvement would have been to explain the difference between a Thyristor (SCR or Silicon Controlled Rectifier) and a TRIAC.
A TRIAC is basically two SCRs in antiparallel - so it is possible to control both half waves of AC power at the same time.
Thyristors are utilised in converting AC to DC and viceversa.
It is possible to build thyristors with thousands Volts Vr, and ten thousands Ampere of controllable current. This is not feasible with transistors.
Thyristors are also widely utilised in railroad rolling stock.
Thank you for the video...

[Ryan-wxof]

I"ve seen a lot of videos try to explain transistors, this was the best one I've ever seen.

[mh]

I can't believe how easier I understand my lesson by watching this video. thanks a lot!

[jeane]

Amazing animations, they make these concepts so much easier to comprehend

[christopherlee]

i wish this was out when we were studying engineering, but those times youtube and the likes werent a hit yet, still this makes visualizing very easy to understand theories. i was made to memorize formulaes which didnt even fully understanding the working principles. this should be the standard of teaching

[petergambier]

Thanks for the explanation LE, I never heard of a thyristor before and it was really as clear as mud to me how it works and why but, just like all things electronic it's a massive mystery.

[paraumeshchand]

This type of animated knowledge is required for the future generations
Great and full clarity vedio

[budstep]

Great video! Just one suggestion: I don't understand how the described device turns A.C. to D.C. and vice versa. Thanks for the video!

[RJ-bzep]

Thanks for giving the visual effect of electrons and hole movement to explain SCR concept .

[thestructuresguy]

I am thyristy for knowledge. Great video 👌

[ondermetu]

These type of videos compansates the huge gap of efficiency between theories lectured in the class and the understanding of the delivered lecture by the learner

[TYPEGRV]

did electronics engineering...bt now i actually know the working of SCR... thnks....

[HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

2:29 Funny how they explain "doping" with syringes.

[sidewinderamm]

Wow the animation on this was great. Really helpful for visualizing electron flow through a semi conductor.

[E_Oussama]

Creative Tip to switch the thyristor into off mode .that s why it s No need to set any drivers in it . Nicely explained nice video.

[walterufsc]

As always, another excellent video from this channel. Just one precision: even when a diode or a thyristor is in high resistance mode, they are "working". In other words, "being working" is not synonymous with "being conducting current".

[niladribiswas]

That's the best way for teaching any devices....thank you so much for this brilliant

[ButchNews]

Learned something new today... never thought about this before but now it's tucked away in the memory banks.