Triac and Diac
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boiram2626Triac and Diac
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boiram2626Fundamentals of TRIAC and DIAC
Introduction
• Diode for Alternating Current (DIAC)
• Triode for Alternating Current (TRIAC)
• These are special semiconductor devices
Lecture 1 2
TRIAC
• It is a three terminal, five layer device which
can control AC current to load
• It is a bidirectional device
• Typical power rating of TRIAC is nearly 16kW
• It is like two SCRs connected anti-parallel
Lecture 1
3
Operation of TRIAC
• The transistor equivalent circuit of TRIAC will be
composed of four transistor. The transistor Q1 and Q2
constitute the equivalent circuit of SCR1 and transistor
Q3 and Q4 constitute the equivalent circuit of SCR2.
• When MT2 is positive with respect to MT1 and
appropriate gate current is allowed in the gate
circuit,SCR1 is turned ON while SCR2 remains OFF. In
term of transistor equivalent circuit Q1 and Q2 are
forward biased while Q3 and Q4 are reverse biased.
Therefore, Transistor Q1 and Q2 conduct current. Since
Q1 and Q2 from a positive feedback, both transistor are
quickly driven to saturation and a large current flow
through the load RL. This is as if switch between MT2
and MT1 were closed.
Lecture 1 4
Operation of TRIAC
• When MT2 is negative with respect to MT1
and appropriate gate current is allowed in the
gate circuit, SCR2 is turned ON and SCR1 is
OFF. In term s of transistor equivalent circuit,
Q3 and Q4 are forward biased while Q1 and
Q2 are reverse biased. Therefore, transistor Q3
and Q4 will conduct. The current in load RL
will quickly attain a large value. The circuit will
behave as if a switch is closed between MT2
and MT1.
Lecture 1 5
Characteristics of TRIAC
Lecture 1 6
Four Quadrant Operation
First Quadrant Operation of Triac
Voltage at terminal MT2 is positive with respect to terminal MT1
and gate voltage is also positive with respect to first terminal.
Second Quadrant Operation of Triac
Voltage at terminal 2 is positive with respect to terminal 1 and
gate voltage is negative with respect to terminal 1.
Third Quadrant Operation of Triac
Voltage of terminal 1 is positive with respect to terminal 2 and
the gate voltage is negative.
Fourth Quadrant Operation of Triac
Voltage of terminal 2 is negative with respect to terminal 1 and
gate voltage is positive.
Lecture 1 7
Application Of TRIAC:-
• It can operate and switch both half cycles of an
AC waveform.
• In DC applications, SCRs are required to be
connected with a parallel diode to protect
against reverse voltage. But the TRAIC may
work without a diode, a safe breakdown is
possible in either directions.
• It can be used as a high power lamp switch
• It can be used to Phase Control.
Lecture 1 8
DIAC
• Two terminal device
• A DIAC is a two terminal, three layer
bidirectional device which can be switched
from its OFF state to ON state for either
polarity of applied voltage.
• There is no control terminal on this device.
• This device works when avalanche breakdown
occurs.
Lecture 1 9
• The DIAC can be constructed in either NPN or PNP.
Show the basic structure of DIAC in PNP form. The two
leads are connected to p- regions of silicon separated
by an n-region.
• The structure of DIAC is very much similar to that of a
transistor, but there are several important differences:-
• i. There are no terminal attached to the base layer.
• ii. The three regions are nearly identical in size.
• iii. The doping concentrations are identical to give
device symmetrical properties.
Lecture 1 10
Characteristics of DIAC
Lecture 1 11
DIAC has two p-type material and three n-type
materials. No gate terminal in it.
The DIAC can be turned on for both polarity of
voltages. When MT2 is more positive with respect to
MT1 then the current does not flow through the
corresponding N-layer but flows from P2-N2-P1-N1.
When MT1 is more positive than MT2 then the current
flows through P1-N2-P2-N3.The construction resembles
the diode connected in series.
Lecture 1 12
When the applied voltage is small in either polarity, a
very small current flows which is known as leakage
current because of the drift of electrons and holes in the
depletion region. Although a small current flows, it is
not sufficient to produce avalanche breakdown, hence
the device remains in the non-conducting state.
When the applied voltage in either polarity exceeds the
breakdown voltage, DIAC current rises and the device
conducts in accordance with its V-I characteristics.
Lecture 1 13
Application Of DIAC:-
• DIAC are used primarily for triggering of
TRIAC.
• Light Dimmer
• Heat Control
Lecture 1 14
Thank You
Lecture 32 15
