Q3Power Electronics
Question
2 marks
Define the latching current in SCR.
Answer
Latching current IL is the minimum anode current required to keep the SCR in the ON state immediately after the gate pulse is removed during turn-on.
- If IA < IL when the gate pulse ends, the SCR will turn off.
- If IA ≥ IL, the SCR remains latched on even after the gate pulse is removed.
- IL is typically 2 to 3 times the holding current IH.
- For inductive loads where current rises slowly, the gate pulse must be kept on until IA reaches IL.