Gate pulse duration versus SCR turn-on time An SCR has a specified turn-on time of 4 μs. Approximately how long should the gate pulse be applied to ensure reliable turn-on under practical conditions?

Introduction / Context:
Gate pulses must be sufficiently wide and strong to guarantee that an SCR latches on under real-world conditions (component tolerances, temperature, source impedance). The specified turn-on time t_on is a device characteristic measured under idealized conditions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• SCR turn-on time t_on = 4 μs.
• Standard practice uses a gate pulse wider than t_on (often 3–5 times) to ensure latching.

Concept / Approach:
A margin ensures that the anode current exceeds the latching current during the pulse and that the device does not drop out due to line notches or minor disturbances. Therefore, a pulse around 20 μs (≈5×) is conservative and widely adopted.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Choose pulse width τ_g ≥ k * t_on.For robust design, take k ≈ 5.τ_g ≈ 5 * 4 μs = 20 μs.

Verification / Alternative check:
Many application notes recommend ≥10 μs for small SCRs and even longer for large devices; 20 μs satisfies this guidance.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
2 μs, 5 μs: Too close to or below t_on, marginal under real conditions.
50 μs: Acceptable but unnecessarily long for this specification, potentially increasing drive losses.

Common Pitfalls:
Using pulses just equal to t_on without safety margin can cause misfiring under temperature and supply variations.

Final Answer:
20 μs