Electronic Fundamental

(Mechanical)
TRIAC
(Triode for Alternating Current)
 DEFINITION
• TRIAC is a generic trademark for a three terminal electronic
component that conducts current flow in both directions
when triggered. TRIACs are a subset of thyristors and it also
can be known as bidirectional triode thyristor or bilateral
triode thyristor. TRIACs are related to silicon controlled
rectifiers (SCRs). TRIACs differ from SCRs in that they allow
current flow in both directions, whereas an SCR can only
conduct current in a single direction. TRIAC can be triggered
into conduction by both positive and negative voltages • (TRIAC symbol for circuit diagrams)
applied to its Anode. With both positive and negative trigger
pulses applied to its Gate terminal making it a two-quadrant
switching Gate controlled device, until the main current • On the TRIAC symbol there are three terminals. These are
drops below a certain level called the holding current. the Gate and two other terminals are often referred to as an
"Anode" or "Main Terminal". As the TRIAC has two of
these they are labelled either Anode 1 and Anode 2 or Main
Terminal, MT1 and MT2.
CONSTRUCTION
• We now know that a “triac” is a 4-layer, PNPN in the positive direction and a
NPNP in the negative direction, three-terminal bidirectional device that
blocks current in its “OFF” state acting like an open-circuit switch, but unlike
a conventional thyristor, the triac can conduct current in either direction when
triggered by a single gate pulse. Then a triac has four possible triggering
modes of operation as follows.
•
• Ι + Mode = MT2 current positive (+ve), Gate current positive (+ve)
• Ι – Mode = MT2 current positive (+ve), Gate current negative (-ve)
• ΙΙΙ + Mode = MT2 current negative (-ve), Gate current positive (+ve)
• ΙΙΙ – Mode = MT2 current negative (-ve), Gate current negative (-ve)
OPERATION
• Though the triac can be turned on without any
gate current provided the supply voltage becomes
equal to the breakover voltage of the triac but the
normal way to turn on the triac is by applying a
proper gate current. As in case of SCR, here too,
the larger the gate current, the smaller the supply
voltage at which the triac is turned on. Triac can
conduct current irrespective of the voltage
polarity of terminals MT1 and MT2 with respect
to each other and that of gate and terminal MT2.
• Consequently four different possibilities of
operation of triac exists. They are:
1. Terminal MT2 and gate are positive with respect to
terminal MT1
- When terminal MT2 is positive with respect to terminal
MT1 current flows through path P1-N1-P2-N2. The two
junctions P1-N1 and P2-N2 are forward biased whereas
junction N1 P2 is blocked. The triac is now said to be
positively biased.
- A positive gate with respect to terminal MT1 forward
biases the junction P2-N2 and the breakdown occurs as in a
normal SCR.
2. Terminal MT2 is positive but gate is negative with respect
to terminal MT1
- Though the flow path of current remains the same as in
mode 1 but now junction P2-N3 is forward biased and
current carriers injected into P2 turn on the triac.
3. Terminal MT2 and gate are negative with respect to
terminal MT1
- When terminal MT2 is negative with respect to
terminal MT1, the current flow path is P2-N1-P1-N4.
The two junctions P2-N1 and P1 – N4 are forward
biased whereas junction N1-P1 is blocked. The triac is
now said to be negatively biased.
- A negative gate with respect to terminal MT1 injects
current carriers by forward biasing junction P2-N3 and
thus initiates the conduction.
4. Terminal MT2 is negative but gate is positive with respect
to terminal MT1
- Though the flow path of current remains the same as in
mode 3 but now junction P2-N2 is forward biased, current
carriers are injected and therefore, the triac is turned on.
 APPLICATION
- TRIACs are used in a number of applications. However - The TRIAC is easy to use and provides cost advantages over the use of
they tend not to be used in high power switching two thyristors for many low power applications. Where higher powers
applications. One of the reasons for this is the non- are needed, two thyristors placed in "anti-parallel" are almost always
symmetrical switching characteristics. For high power used.
applications this creates a number of difficulties,
especially with electromagnetic interference.

- However TRIACs are still used for many electrical

- The TRIAC is an electronic component that is widely used in many circuit
switching applications:
applications, ranging from light dimmers through to various forms of AC
control. It is generally only used for lower power applications, thyristors
 Domestic light dimmers
generally being used for the high power switching circuits.
 Electric fan speed controls
 Small motor controls
 Control of small AC powered domestic appliances
 \

ADVANTAGES OF TRIAC
• It can be triggered with positive or negative polarity of gate pulses.
• It requires only a single heat sink of slightly larger size, whereas for SCR, two
heat sinks should be required of smaller size.
• It requires single fuse for protection.
• Triac is a bidirectional device, it conduct in both direction.
 DISADVANTAGES OF TRIAC
• They are not much reliable compared to SCR.
• Lower ratings are available compared to SCR.
• It has a very high switching delay
• This is not suitable for DC applications.
• We need to be careful about the triggering circuit as it can be triggered in
either direction.
 CONCLUSION
• Trials are ideal devices for use in many AC small power applications. Triac
circuits for use as dimmers are widespread and they are simple and easy to
implement. When using triacs, diacs are often included in the circuit as
mentioned above to help reduce the level of harmonics produced