Basic Operation And Characteristics Of TRIAC | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Triac is a device similar to a diode, comprising of two thyristors, and it requires an external commutation circuit to stop conducting once triggered.

Key Insights

• 👷 Triacs are constructed using two thyristors in a specific configuration, with a common gate terminal.
• ✋ An external commutation circuit is necessary to stop a triac from conducting once it is triggered.
• 🏍️ The VI characteristics of a triac show its on and off states during positive and negative half cycles, depending on the gate current.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is a triac and how is it constructed?

A triac is a device constructed using two thyristors in a specific configuration. It has a common gate terminal and two anodes.

Q: How does a triac work in an electrical circuit?

When an external gate pulse triggers the triac, it conducts during the positive and negative half cycles of the AC voltage source. However, it requires an external commutation circuit to stop conducting.

Q: What are the VI characteristics of a triac?

The VI characteristics of a triac show the relationship between the voltage and current during its operation. It exhibits on and off states during the positive and negative half cycles, depending on the applied gate current.

Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of a triac?

The advantage of a triac is its suitability for use in DC drives, high-power applications, and commutation circuits. However, its disadvantage is that it requires an external circuit to stop conducting.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• A triac is constructed using two thyristors arranged in a specific configuration, with a common gate terminal and two anodes.

• When an external voltage source is connected, the triac conducts in multiple directions upon triggering the gate signal.

• To stop the triac from conducting, an external commutation circuit is required.