SCR
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Silicon-controlled rectifier |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Science & Engineering, Transportation & Travel |
SCR has two meanings. It stands for Silicon-controlled rectifier (electronics & electrical) or Selective catalytic reduction (automotive).
Meanings of SCR at a glance
| # | SCR stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silicon-controlled rectifier | Science & Engineering › Electronics & Electrical |
| 2 | Selective catalytic reduction | Transportation & Travel › Automotive |
1. Silicon-controlled rectifier
Science & Engineering · Electronics & Electrical Abbreviations
Four-layer semiconductor switch, a type of thyristor, that conducts in one direction once triggered by a gate pulse and stays on until current falls below a holding level. SCRs control power in light dimmers, motor speed controllers, battery chargers and high-voltage converters.
Example: The phase-control dimmer fires the SCR later in each half-cycle to reduce lamp brightness.
General Electric introduced the SCR in 1957. Because it latches on, an SCR is turned off naturally in AC circuits when current passes through zero. The TRIAC, a bidirectional relative, is used in most household dimmers and fan speed controls.
2. Selective catalytic reduction
Transportation & Travel · Automotive Abbreviations
Exhaust after-treatment system that injects diesel exhaust fluid into a special catalyst, where ammonia from the urea converts nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. SCR is standard on modern diesel cars, trucks and buses.
Example: The SCR system lets the engine run efficiently while still meeting tough NOx limits.
SCR was used in power plants before being adapted for vehicles in the 2000s. Systems are monitored by sensors, and a fault or empty DEF tank triggers warnings and power limits. In electronics, SCR also means silicon-controlled rectifier, an unrelated meaning.
Related abbreviations
More electronics & electrical abbreviations
- PWM – Pulse-width modulation
- RCD – Residual-current device
- RFI – Radio-frequency interference
- RMS – Root mean square
- SMD – Surface-mount device
- SMPS – Switched-mode power supply
- SMT – Surface-mount technology
- SNR – Signal-to-noise ratio
See all 82 electronics & electrical abbreviations →