By: Ian D.
Betos
TRIAC stands for TRIode
for Alternating Current. It is a three terminal
switching device similar to SCR (Thyristor) but it
can conduct in both the directional since it
construct by combining two SCR in anti-parallel
state. The symbol and pin out of TRIAC is shown
below.
Since the TRIAC is a bi-directional device the
current can either flow from MT1 to MT2 or from
MT2 to MT1 when the gate terminal is triggered.
For a TRIAC this trigger voltage that is to be
applied to the gate terminal can either be positive
or negative with respect to terminal MT2.
The operation of the TRIAC is based on the
thyristor. It facilitates the switching function in
AC electrical components and systems. They are
widely used in light dimmers because they allow
both halves of the AC cycle to be utilized. As a
result, this makes them more efficient in power
usage. As much as it is possible to use thyristors
to function as TRIAC, it is not cost efficient for
operations that require low power. It is possible to
view a TRIAC in terms of two thyristors.
TRIACs are normally used in applications that do
not require very high power because they exhibit
non-symmetrical switching in their operation.
This is disadvantageous for applications utilizing
high power as it causes electromagnetic
interference.
Lamps Control
Speed Control of fans
Chopper
AC Phase Controls
REVIEW:
A TRIAC acts much like two SCRs connected back-to-
back for bidirectional (AC) operation.
TRIAC controls are more often seen in simple, low-
power circuits than complex, high-power circuits. In
large power control circuits, multiple SCRs tend to be
favored.
When used to control AC power to a load, TRIACs are
often accompanied by DIACs connected in series with
their gate terminals. The DIAC helps the TRIAC fire
more symmetrically (more consistently from one
polarity to another).
Main terminals 1 and 2 on a TRIAC
are not interchangeable.
To successfully trigger a TRIAC, gate current must
come from the main terminal 2 (MT2) side of the circuit!
The Diac is a two-junction bidirectional
semiconductor device designed to break down
when the AC voltage across it exceeds a certain
level passing current in either direction. The word
DIAC consists of two parts, DI and AC. The DI
stands for the diode and AC stands
for Alternating Current. DIAC is the acronym of
the diode for alternating current.
The DIAC symbol used to depict this
electronic component in circuit diagrams can be
remembered as a combination of what may
appear to be two diodes in parallel with each
other but connected in opposite directions.
Owing to the fact that DIACs are bi-direction
devices the terminals cannot be labelled as
anode and cathode as they are for a diode.
Instead they may be labelled as A1 and A2 or
MT1 and MT2, where MT stands for "Main
Terminal."
- DIAC is used in AC Circuit along with the
TRIAC / DIAC is used to trigger TRIAC
DIAC circuits use the fact that a DIAC only
conducts current only after a certain breakdown
voltage has been exceeded. The actual breakdown
voltage will depend upon the specification for the
particular component type.
When the DIAC breakdown voltage occurs, the
resistance of the component decreases abruptly and
this leads to a sharp decrease in the voltage drop
across the DIAC, and a corresponding increase in
current. The DIAC will remain in its conducing state
until the current flow through it drops below a
particular value known as the holding current. When
the current falls below the holding current, the DIAC
switches back to its high resistance, or non-
conducting state.
DIAC is connected back to back using two
zener diodes and the main application of this
DIAC is, it is widely used to help even activating
of a TRIAC when used in AC switches, dimmer
applications and starter circuits for florescent
lamps.
