Advantages and disadvantages of silicon controlled rectifier (SCR)

There are some advantages of silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) which are given below,

• The silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) can handle large voltage , current and power.
• It can be protected with the help of fuse.
• It is easy to turn ON.
• The Triggering circuit for silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is simple.
• It is simple to control.
• It cost is low.
• It is able to control AC power.

There are some disadvantages of silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) which are given below,

• The silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is unidirectional devices, so it can control power only in DC power during positive half cycle of AC supply. Thus only DC power is controlled with the help of SCR.
• In AC circuit, it needs to be turned on each cycle.
• It cannot be used at higher frequencies.
• The gate current cannot be negative.

Silicon controlled rectifier