8/26/2021 What is TRIAC?
Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
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TRIAC – Construction, Operation, Advantages,
Disadvantages & Applications
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
Thyristors are widely used semiconductor-based devices for the
regulation of power. However, they can conduct in only one direction just
like a diode which makes them suitable for DC power regulation.
Whereas, TRIAC which belongs to the family of the thyristor can conduct
in both directions as well as offer full control over the power supplied.
Therefore, they are used for AC power regulation.
Related Post: DIAC – Construction, Working and Applications
Table of Contents
1. What is TRIAC?
2. Symbol of TRIAC
3. Construction of TRIAC
4. Operation of TRAIC
4.1. Mode 1 : MT1= +ve, Gate= +ve
4.2. Mode 2 : MT1= +ve, Gate= -ve
4.3. Mode 3 : MT1= -ve, Gate= +ve
4.4. Mode 4 : MT1= -ve, Gate= -ve
5. V-I Characteristic of TRIAC
6. Advantages & Disadvantages of TRIAC
7. Applications of TRIAC
What is TRIAC?
TRIAC is an acronym that stands for “Triode for Alternating Current”.
Triode means a three-terminal device while AC means that it is used
for switching Alternating current. It is a three-terminal bi-directional switch
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
that conducts in both directions. It is made from the combination of two
SCRs in anti-parallel with their gates joined together.
The three terminals are Gate, A1 or MT1 and A2 or MT2. It does not have
an anode and cathode like a thyristor because it can conduct in both
directions and it does not matter if the terminals are swapped.
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TRIAC can be triggered into conduction by either positive or negative
gate current in both directions. While it switches off when the main current
falls below the holding current limit.
Symbol of TRIAC
The symbol of TRIAC represents two thyristors connected in antiparallel
having a common gate. Its equivalent two-thyristor structure is also given
for better understanding.
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
Just like thyristor, it has three terminals but their names are different
except for Gate. It is due to the fact that each terminal is made by
connecting the anode and cathode of SCR together. Therefore, both
terminals are either called Anode or Main Terminal MT.
Construction of TRIAC
TRAIC is a four-layer device that is made from a combination of two
antiparallel SCRs having three terminals Gate, MT1 and MT2.
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Both main terminals (MT1 and MT2) electrodes are connected with both
P and N regions of both SCRs. So that it can conduct current in both
directions. The gate metallic electrode is also connected with both P and
N regions. It allows the TRIAC to be triggered by both positive as well as
negative gate currents.
TRIAC is a bidirectional switch, it can conduct in both directions but it is
not symmetrical. Its asymmetrical structure is the reason TRAIC has
asymmetrical switching.
Related Post: What is the Difference Between DIAC and TRIAC?
Operation of TRAIC
The operation of TRAIC resembles thyristor. When the voltage is applied,
it will not conduct unless the voltage does not exceed the break over
voltage VBO or a gate pulse is applied.
As we know that TRAIC can conduct for both polarities of applied voltage
and it can be triggered by both polarities of gate voltage for either
direction. Therefore, the TRAIC can operate in 4 modes.
The following voltages are taken with respect to the MT2 terminal such as
MT1 voltage with respect to MT2 and Gate voltage with respect to MT2.
Mode 1 : MT1= +ve, Gate= +ve
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
In this mode, the applied voltage at MT1 is positive with respect to MT2.
By applying a positive gate pulse, the TRAIC will trigger into forward
conduction and the current will flow from MT1 to MT2.
Mode 2 : MT1= +ve, Gate= -ve
In this mode, the applied voltage is the same i.e. MT1 is positive with
respect to MT2. But the gate pulse is negative. Since the gate is
connected with the N region of TRIAC, it will trigger it into forward
conduction while the current direction will remain the same.
Mode 3 : MT1= -ve, Gate= +ve
In this mode, the applied voltage polarities are swapped i.e. MT1 is
negative with respect to MT2. But the gate pulse is positive. The gate
pulse will trigger TRAIC into reverse conduction from MT2 to MT1.
Mode 4 : MT1= -ve, Gate= -ve
In this mode, both the applied voltage and the gate voltage are negative.
The negative gate pulse triggers the TRAIC into reverse conduction
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Mode 1 and mode 2 represents an operation in the 1st quadrant where
the current and voltage are positive while mode 3 and mode 4 represent
operation in the 3rd quadrant where the voltage and current both are
negative.
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
While the gate pulse can trigger TRAIC in either direction, it is best to use
a positive gate pulse for operation in the 1st quadrant and negative gate
pulse for operation in the 3rd quadrant due to their increased sensitivity.
Mode 2 and 3 require more gate current that mode 1 and 4 to trigger
TRIAC.
V-I Characteristic of TRIAC
The following characteristic curve shows the relationship between the
applied voltage and the current flowing through the TRIAC. It operates in
only the 1st and 3rd quadrants. Its operation is the same as SCR but it can
also operate in the 3rd quadrant.
The current I increase when either voltage V exceeds the break over
voltage VBO or if a gate pulse is applied. As soon as, the device switches
into ON-state, the voltage reduces to ON-state voltage and the current
exceeds. It will remain in ON-state until the current reduces below holding
current IH.
TRAIC is the combination of two SCR in a single package, therefore, it
also has the same electrical characteristics as individual SCR in each
direction such as break down voltage, trigger voltage, holding current.
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
Advantages & Disadvantages of TRIAC
Advantages
The advantages of TRIAC are given below:
It can conduct and regulate both halves of an AC waveform.
It is compact and requires a smaller heat sink as opposed to using
two SCR.
It requires only one fuse for protection.
Positive as well as negative gate pulse can be used to trigger
TRAIC.
It does not require a diode in parallel for reverse protection as in
SCR.
Disadvantages
Its switching is asymmetrical for both halves of AC.
Asymmetrical switching creates harmonics in the system causing
numerous problems.
Its power rating is lower as compared to SCR.
It is less reliable than SCR.
It has a lower switching speed.
Requires caution while triggering as it can be triggered in either
direction.
Its dv/dt rating is lower than SCR.
Applications of TRIAC
TRIAC is used for low to medium AC power regulation. Due to their
asymmetrical switching, a DIAC is used in series to its gate terminal to
provide symmetrical triggering. A combination of both DIAC and TRIAC in
a single package is available which is known as QUADRAC.
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They are used for controlling the speed of motors, fans and light dimmers
as well as heat control applications.
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Tags SCR Thyristor TRIAC
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What is DIAC? Symbol, Construction,
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Electrical Technology 0 4 minutes read
DIAC – Construction, Operation, Advantages,
Disadvantages & Applications
Semiconductor devices such as thyristors play vital role in power
regulation in power electronics but since they conduct in only one
direction, they not suitable for AC circuits. This is where DIAC and TRIAC
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
comes into play. They regulate power supplied to AC loads such as
controlling speed of motors.
Related Post: TRIAC – Construction, Working and Applications
Table of Contents
1. What is DIAC?
2. Symbol of DIAC
3. Construction of DIAC
4. Working of DIAC
5. V-I Characteristics of DIAC
6. Advantages & Disadvantages of DIAC
7. Application of DIAC
What is DIAC?
DIAC is an acronym that stands for “Diode for Alternating Current”. It is
a two-terminal bidirectional switch that conducts in both directions when
the applied voltage exceeds its break over voltage. It cannot amplify or
offer controlled switching.
It belongs to the family of thyristors but It is an uncontrolled switch
because it does not have a control or gate terminal. Its name implies that
it is a diode that can conduct AC in both directions. It is mainly used for
triggering other devices such as TRIAC due to its symmetrical switching
characteristics.
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
Symbol of DIAC
The symbol of DIAC resembles two diodes in antiparallel
. It has two terminals named A1 or MT1 and A2 or MT2. MT stands for
main terminals. Since it can conduct in both directions, there are no
anode and cathode terminal as shown in the figure.
It d th t
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
It does not have gate or controlling terminal. Instead, it turns on and off by
increasing or decreasing the terminal voltage above or below its break
over voltage.
Construction of DIAC
DIAC is a five layer device from the combination of two antiparallel SCR
without the gate terminals. It has only two terminals MT1 and MT2. It has
symmetrical structure from both terminals having equal width of the
regions as well as its doping percentage.
DIAC can be constructed in 3-layer and 5-layer symmetrical structure.
The 3-layer structure is mostly used which is made by either sandwiching
N or P between its alternating layers forming PNP or NPN structure The
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
N or P between its alternating layers forming PNP or NPN structure. The
break over voltage of such DIAC lies around 30 volts.
The 5-layer DAIC construction resembles the combination of two SCR
without the gate terminal. It has a symmetrical structure made of 2 P-layer
and 3 N-layers. The terminal’s regions are made of both P and N layer.
The doping and width of all layers are equal. The symmetrical structure
provides symmetrical switching capabilities in both forward as well as
reverse polarity.
Related Post: What is the Difference Between DIAC and TRIAC?
Working of DIAC
The DIAC can conduct current in both directions unless the applied
voltage falls below the break over voltage.
Suppose the applied voltage at MT1 is positive with respect to MT2, the
junctions at the ends become forwards biased and the middle junction
becomes reverse biased. At this moment, the applied Voltage V < VBO, so
the middle junction remains reverse biased and does not allow current
flow. The device remains in off-state.
In order to trigger the DIAC into conduction, the applied voltage V must
exceed break over voltage VBO. When it happens, avalanche break down
occurs at the reverse bias junction and the current starts to flow through
it. The DIAC is triggered into conduction and the voltage across it reduces
to ON-state voltage drop.
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
Similarly, if the voltage polarities are swapped, the same process will
repeat except the current will flow in reverse direction. There is no
difference in operation whatsoever if the polarities are swapped. It has
symmetrical switching characteristics for both voltage polarities i.e. its
forward break over voltage is equal to reverse break over voltage.
The DIAC conducts current unless the current falls below the holding
current limit. As soon as it falls below the said limit, the device switches
into off-state.
V-I Characteristics of DIAC
The following characteristic curve shows the relation between the main
voltage and main current of a DIAC. As you can see, the DIAC only
operate in 1st and 3rd quadrant. It is a symmetrical device; therefore, the
graph is symmetrical in both quadrants forming the shape of letter “Z”.
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
In 1st quadrant, the voltage and current are positive. As you can see,
when the voltage is below the break over voltage VBO, the DIAC blocks
the current except for the leakage current. The device remains in OFF-
state. Once the voltage increases, the DIAC triggers into ON-state and
the current rises. The voltage across the device starts to reduce to steady
ON-state voltage.
The device operates similarly in the 3rd quadrant. The only difference
between the 1st and 3rd quadrant is that the voltage and current are
reverse. That is it.
Advantages & Disadvantages of DIAC
Advantages
Here are the advantages of DIAC:
The DIAC offer symmetrical switching characteristics.
Symmetrical switching helps in reducing the harmonics in a system.
It has low on-state voltage drop.
The voltage drop increases with the voltage
It can be easily switches by increasing or decreasing the applied
voltage.
It offers smooth power control when used for triggering other
thyristor and TRIAC
Disadvantages
It is a low power device
It only conducts when voltage increases above 30 volts.
It cannot block high voltages.
Application of DIAC
Th i li ti
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8/26/2021 What is TRIAC? Symbol, Construction, Working and Applications
The main application of DIAC is to trigger TRIAC. TRIAC has
asymmetrical triggering due to difference in both halves of its structure.
Due to this asymmetry, it does not trigger at the same voltage for forward
and reverse current. The asymmetrical switching generates harmonics in
the system. Greater the asymmetry, greater the harmonics. Harmonics
causes numerous problems in a system and must be reduced.
The DIAC is connected in series to the gate of the TRAIC. Since the
DIAC has equal forward and reverse break over voltage, it switches on
when the voltage exceeds VBO in either direction. It triggers the TRIAC for
both half of the AC cycle at equal voltage level offering symmetrical
triggering.
It is a low power device and it is not suitable to regulate power on its own
but with the combination of TRAIC, it can regulate high power circuit such
as in motor speed control, heat control, dimmer etc.
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What is BJT? Construction, Working, Types and Applications
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Tags DIAC SCR Thyristor
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