The TRIAC is a three terminal semiconductor device for controlling current.

It is effectively a
development of the SCR or thyristor, but unlike the thyristor which is only able to conduct in one
direction, the TRIAC is a bidirectional device.
As such the TRIAC is an ideal device to use for AC switching applications because it can control the
current flow over both halves of an alternating cycle. A thyristor is only able to control them over one
half of a cycle. During the remaining half no conduction occurs and accordingly only half the waveform
can be utilised.

TRIAC symbol
The TRIAC circuit symbol recognises the way in which the TRIAC operates. Seen from the outside it
may be viewed as two back to back thyristors. This is what the TRIAC symbol indicates.

TRIAC symbol for circuit diagrams
On the TRIAC symbol there are three terminal on a TRIAC. These are the Gate and two other
terminals. These other TRIAC 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.

TRIAC basics
The TRIAC is a component that is effectively based on the thyristor. It provides AC switching for
electrical systems. Like the thyristor, the TRIACs are used in many electrical switching applications.
They find particular use for circuits in light dimmers, etc., where they enable both halves of the AC
cycle to be used. This makes them more efficient in terms of the usage of the power available. While it
is possible to use two thyristors back to back, this is not always cost effective for low cost and
relatively low power applications.
It is possible to view the operation of a TRIAC in terms of two thyristors placed back to back.

TRIAC equivalent as two thyristors
One of the drawbacks of the TRIAC is that it does not switch symmetrically. It will often have an
offset, switching at different gate voltages for each half of the cycle. This creates additional harmonics
which is not good for EMC performance and also provides an imbalance in the system
In order to improve the switching of a TRIAC current waveform and ensure it is more symmetrical is
to use a device external to the TRIAC to time the triggering pulse. A DIAC placed in series with the
gate is the normal method of achieving this.

DIAC and TRIAC connected together

TRIAC advantages and disadvantages
When requiring to switch both halves of an AC waveform there are two options that are normally
considered. One is to use a TRIAC, and the other is to use two thyristors connected back to back - one
thyristor is used to switch one half of the cycle and the second connected in the reverse direction
operates on the other half cycle.
As there are two options the advantages and disadvantages of using a TRIAC must be weighed up.
Advantages
Can switch both halves of an AC waveform
Single component can be used for full AC switching
Disadvantages
A TRIAC does not fire symmetrically on both sides of the waveform
Switching gives rise to high level of harmonics due to non-symmetrical switching
More susceptible to EMI problems as a result of the non-symmetrical switching
Care must be taken to ensure the TRIAC turns off fully when used with inductive
loads

Despite what may seem like a number of disadvantages, it is still the best option for many
circumstances. However when using a TRIAC, it is necessary to be aware of its limitations so that
these can be satisfactorily addressed and overcome should they affect the operation of the overall
circuit in any significant way.


TRIAC applications
TRIACs are used in a number of applications. However they tend not to be used in high power
switching applications - one of the reasons for this is the non-symmetrical switching characteristics.
For high power applications this creates a number of difficulties, especially with electromagnetic
interference.
However TRIACs are still used for many electrical switching applications:
Domestic light dimmers
Electric fan speed controls
Small motor controls
Control of small AC powered domestic appliances
The TRIAC is easy to use and provides cost advantages over the use of two thyristors for many low
power applications. Where higher powers are needed, two thyristors placed in "anti-parallel" are
almost always used.
The TRIAC is an electronic component that is widely used in many circuit applications, ranging from
light dimmers through to various forms of AC control. It is generally only used for lower power
applications, thyristors generally being used for the high power switching circuits. . . . . . . . .


he TRIAC structure is very different to that of the ordinary thyristor.
Having the ability to switch signals on both halves of a cycle requires the TRIAC structure to be
considerably more complicated than other similar devices.
Nevertheless the TRIAC fabrication is well established and TRIACs are widely and cheaply available.


TRIAC structure
The structure of a TRIAC may be considered to be a DIAC with an additional gate contact provided to
enable control of the device.
Like other power devices, the TRIAC is normally made of silicon. Using a silicon fabrication process
further enables the devices to be produced very cheaply. The market would not tolerate the devices if
they were made using more expensive technologies.
As can be seen, the TRIAC structure consists of a number of different areas - typically four n-type
areas as shown and two p-type areas.

The structure of a TRIAC
The gate contact is made to the p-base region, although there is an additional n-type diffusion layer
placed under much of the gate.
Additionally connections for both anodes or main terminals, i.e. MT1 and MT2 cross p and n regions as
shown. . . . . . . . . .


TRIAC theory can be taken at several levels, and this can be used to show the TRIAC operation, and
how it can be used in electronics circuits.
The TRIAC operation can be viewed on a number of levels, showing how the TRAIC operation in
various circuits can be designed to overcome some of the issues.


TRIAC operation
It can be imagined from the circuit symbol that the TRIAC consists of two thyristors back to back but
with a common gate terminal, and the cathode of one thyristor connected to the anode of the other,
and vice versa. This configuration is more correctly termed antiparallel
On a basic level, the operation of the TRIAC can be looked on in the format of the antiparallel
thyristors, although the actual operation at the semiconductor level is rather complicated.
When the voltage on the MT1 is positive with regard to MT2 and a positive gate voltage is applied, one
of the SCRs conducts. When the voltage is reversed and a negative voltage is applied to the gate, the
other SCR conducts. This is provided that there is sufficient voltage across the device to enable a
minimum holding current to flow.

Equivalent circuit of a TRIAC
In terms of the structure of the device, and its more detailed operation, the main terminals MT1 and
MT2 are both connected to p and n regions within the device. The current path depends upon the
polarity of the voltage across the main terminals.
As there is considerable scope for confusion, the device polarity is normally described with reference
to MT1.
In terms of its operation, the ON characteristics for a TRIAC in any direction are similar to that of a
thyristor. However as a result of the physical structure of the TRIAC, the latching current, holding
current, and gate trigger current vary according to the different halves of the cycle and which
"thyristor" within the TRIAC is being used.


TRIAC switching issues
TRIACs do not fire symmetrically as a result of slight differences between the two halves of the device.
This results in harmonics being generated and the less symmetrical the TRIAC fires, the greater the
level of harmonics produced. It is generally undesirable to have high levels of harmonics in a power
system and as a result TRIACs are not favoured for high power systems. Instead two thyristors may
be used as it is easier to control their firing.

DIAC and TRIAC connected together
To help in overcoming this problem, a device known as a DIAC (DIode AC switch) is often placed in
series with the gate. This device helps make the switching more even for both halves of the cycle. This
results from the fact that the DIAC switching characteristic is far more even than that of the TRIAC.
Since the DIAC prevents any gate current flowing until the trigger voltage has reached a certain
voltage in either direction, this makes the firing point of the TRIAC more even in both directions.