TRIAC: What is it? (Definition, Operation & Applications)

What is a Triac?

A Triac is defined as a three terminal AC switch which is different from the other silicon controlled rectifiers in the sense that it can conduct in both the directions that is whether the applied gate signal is positive or negative, it will conduct. Thus, this device can be used for AC systems as a switch.

This is a three terminal, four layer, bi-directional semiconductor device that controls AC power. The triac of maximum rating of 16 kw is available in the market.

Figure shows the symbol of triac, which has two main terminals MT₁ and MT₂ connected in inverse parallel and a gate terminal.

Construction of Triac

Two SCRs are connected in inverse parallel with gate terminal as common. Gate terminals is connected to both the N and P regions due to which gate signal may be applied which is irrespective of the polarity of the signal. Here, we do not have anode and cathode since it works for both the polarities which means that device is bilateral. It consists of three terminals namely, main terminal 1(MT₁), main terminal 2(MT₂), and gate terminal G.

Figure shows the construction of a triac. There are two main terminals namely MT₁ and MT₂ and the remaining terminal is gate terminal.

Operation of Triac

The triac can be turned on by applying the gate voltage higher than break over voltage. However, without making the voltage high, it can be turned on by applying the gate pulse of 35 micro seconds to turn it on. When the voltage applied is less than the break over voltage, we use gate triggering method to turn it on.
There are four different modes of operations, they are-

1. When MT₂ and Gate being Positive with Respect to MT₁
   When this happens, current flows through the path P₁-N₁-P₂-N₂. Here, P₁-N₁ and P₂-N₂ are forward biased but N₁-P₂ is reverse biased. The triac is said to be operated in positively biased region. Positive gate with respect to MT₁ forward biases P₂-N₂ and breakdown occurs.
2. When MT₂ is Positive but Gate is Negative with Respect to MT₁
   The current flows through the path P₁-N₁-P₂-N₂. But P₂-N₃ is forward biased and current carriers injected into P₂ on the triac.
3. When MT₂ and Gate are Negative with Respect to MT₁
   Current flows through the path P₂-N₁-P₁-N₄. Two junctions P₂-N₁ and P₁-N₄ are forward biased but the junction N1-P1 is reverse biased. The triac is said to be in the negatively biased region.
4. When MT₂ is Negative but Gate is Positive with Respect to MT₁
   P₂-N₂ is forward biased at that condition. Current carriers are injected so the triac turns on. This mode of operation has a disadvantage that it should not be used for high (di/dt) circuits. Sensitivity of triggering in mode 2 and 3 is high and if marginal triggering capability is required, negative gate pulses should be used. Triggering in mode 1 is more sensitive than mode 2 and mode 3.

Characteristics of a Triac

The triac characteristics is similar to SCR but it is applicable to both positive and negative triac voltages. The operation can be summarized as follows-

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.

When the device gets turned on, a heavy current flows through it which may damage the device, hence in order to limit the current a current limiting resistor should be connected externally to it. By applying proper gate signal, firing angle of the device may be controlled. The gate triggering circuits should be used for proper gate triggering. We can use diac for triggering the gate pulse. For firing of the device with proper firing angle, a gate pulse may be applied up to a duration of 35 micro seconds.

Advantages of Triac

1. It can be triggered with positive or negative polarity of gate pulses.
2. It requires only a single heat sink of slightly larger size, whereas for SCR, two heat sinks should be required of smaller size.
3. It requires single fuse for protection.
4. A safe breakdown in either direction is possible but for SCR protection should be given with parallel diode.

Disadvantages of Triac

1. They are not much reliable compared to SCR.
2. It has (dv/dt) rating lower than SCR.
3. Lower ratings are available compared to SCR.
4. We need to be careful about the triggering circuit as it can be triggered in either direction.

Uses of Triac

1. They are used in control circuits.
2. It is used in High power lamp switching.
3. It is used in AC power control.