Editing Silicon controlled rectifier (section)

===Forward conduction mode===
An SCR can be brought from blocking mode to conduction mode in two ways: Either by increasing the voltage between anode and cathode beyond the breakover voltage, or by applying a positive pulse at the gate. Once the SCR starts conducting, no more gate voltage is required to maintain it in the '''ON''' state. The minimum current necessary to maintain the SCR in the '''ON''' state on removal of the gate voltage is called the latching current.

There are two ways to turn it '''off''':
# Reduce the current through it below a minimum value called the holding current, or
# With the gate turned '''off''', short-circuit the anode and cathode momentarily with a push-button switch or transistor across the junction.