VS-ST083S12MFK0LP

Thyristors - SCRs

In electronics, a silicon control rectifier (SCR) is a four-layered semiconductor device that is a member of the thyristor family that controls electrical power as an on-off switch. It is essentially a solid-state switch, which, when triggered, becomes electrically conductive, allowing current to flow through it in either direction. The device can be triggered by current, voltage, light (opto-triac), or temperature (thermistor) . The VS-ST083S12MFK0LP SCR is an excellent choice for reliable, durable switching of higher currents (up to 12A) through different circuits.

Application field

The VS-ST083S12MFK0LP SCR is suitable for various applications such as switching, triggering, electrical motor control, lamp control, light control and lighting control, among others. It is a popular choice due to its robust construction, low on-state voltage drop, low thermal resistance and fast recovery characteristics. This device offers a soft commutation of high-current devices, like motors or transformers, and can also be used to provide phase control in thyristor devices.

Working principle

The VS-ST083S12MFK0LP SCR consists of four layers of semiconductor, which are P-type, N-type, P-type and N-type. The working principle can be explained by the following steps:

1. The gate terminal must be positively biased for the device to commence operation. This triggers the gate-controlled junction and allows current to start flowing through the device from the anode to the cathode.
2. When the positive current begins to flow through the device, the gate-controlled junction remains in a semi-conductive state, and is referred to as the ‘forward conducting’ state.
3. The voltage across the device remains constant as the current increases, and the device is no longer flow-controlled. The on-state voltage drop of this device is approximately 0.10V, which makes it suitable for switching high-current, voltage-sensitive loads.
4. When the anode current reaches a certain threshold, the device enters into a second conducting state, referred to as the ‘reverse conducting’ state. The device will continue to be in this state until the voltage across the device falls below the forward voltage level.
5. When the reverse current ceases to flow, the device returns to its non-conducting state.

The VS-ST083S12MFK0LP SCR is a versatile switch, capable of controlling very high currents and voltages. The main disadvantages of the device are its slow turn-off time, as well as its limited voltage/current ratings.