AN1007

Thyristors Used As AC Static Switches and Relays

20

Introduction

triacs. The voltage rating of S1 (mechanical switch or reed

switch) must be equivalent to or greater than line voltage applied.

Since the SCR and the triac are bistable devices, one of their
broad areas of application is in the realm of signal and power
switching. This application note describes circuits in which these
thyristors are used to perform simple switching functions of a
general type that might also be performed non-statically by various mechanical and electromechanical switches. In these applications, the thyristors are used to open or close a circuit
completely, as opposed to applications in which they are used to
control the magnitude of average voltage or energy being delivered to a load. These latter types of application are covered in
detail in Application Note AN1003.

LOAD
RL
R1
100
R2
100

V RMS
S1

TRIAC
CONTROL
DEVICE
REED
SWITCH

Static Ac Switches

C1
0.1F

Normally Open Circuit

The circuit of Figure 20.1 provides random (anywhere in halfcycle) fast turn-on (<10s) of AC power loads and is ideal for
applications with a high duty cycle. It eliminates completely the
contact sticking, bounce, and wear associated with conventional
electromechanical relays, contactors, etc. As a substitute for control relays, thyristors can overcome the differential problem; that
is, the spread in current or voltage between pickup and dropout
because thyristors effectively drop out every half-cycle. Also, providing resistor R 1 is chosen correctly, the circuits are operable
over a much wider voltage range than is a comparable relay.
Resistor R1 is provided to limit gate current (IGTM) peaks. Its
resistance plus any contact resistance (RC) of the control
device and load resistance (R L) should be just greater than the
peak supply voltage divided by the peak gate current rating of the
triac. If R1 is made too high, the triacs may not trigger at the
beginning of each cycle, and phase control of the load will
result with consequent loss of load voltage and waveform distortion. For inductive loads, an RC snubber circuit, as shown, is
required. However, a snubber circuit is not required when an
alternistor is used.

R1

2V
I GTM

Figure 20.1

(R L + R C ) WHERE I GTM IS PEAK GATE CURRENT

RATING OF TRIAC

Basic Triac Static Switch

LOAD
MT2

RL
Q1
Q2008L4

S1
A.C. VOLTAGE INPUT
120 VRMS, 60Hz
VIN

+ I GT

- I GT

To better understand a typical static switch circuit, the following

analysis can be made.

Figure 20.2

Figure 20.2 circuit operation occurs when switch S1 is closed, the

triac, thyristor Q1 will initially be in the blocking condition. Current
flow will be through load RL, S1, R 1, and gate to MT1 junction of
the thyristor. When this current reaches the required value of IGT,
the MT2 to MT1 junctions will switch to the conduction state and
the voltage from MT2 to MT1 will be V T. As the current
approaches the zero crossing, the load current will fall below
holding current turning the triac (Q 1) device off until it is refired in
the next half cycle. Figure 20.3 illustrates the voltage waveform
appearing across the MT2 to MT1 terminals of Q1. It should be
noted that the maximum peak value of current which S1 will carry
would be 25 mA since Q1 has a 25 mA maximum IGT rating.
Additionally, there will be no arcing of a current value greater
than 25 mA when opening S1 when controlling an inductive load.
It is important to note that the triac (Q1) is operating in Quadrants
I and III, the more sensitive and most suitable gating modes for

Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777

FOR
INDUCTIVE
LOADS

20-1

Analysis of Static Switch

G
R1
V GT

MT1

Normally Closed Circuit

With a few additional components, the thyristor can provide a
normally closed static switch function. The critical design portion
of this static switch is a clamping device to turn off/eliminate gate
drive and maintain very low power dissipation through the clamping component plus have low by-pass leakage around the power
thyristor device. In selecting the power thyristor for load requirements, gate sensitivity becomes critical to maintain low power
requirements. Either sensitive SCRs or sensitive logic triacs must
be considered which limits the load in current capacity and type.
However, this can be broader if an extra stage of circuitry for gating is permitted.

120 VRMS (170VPK)

VP+
VT+
1VRMS or 1.6 VPK (MAX)

VT-

Figure 20.4 represents an application using a normally closed circuit driving a sensitive SCR for a simple but precise temperature
controller. The same basic principle could be applied to a water
level controller for a motor or solenoid. Of course, SCR and diode
selection would be changed depending on load current requirements.

VP-

Figure 20.3

A mercury-in-glass thermostat is an extremely sensitive measuring instrument, capable of sensing changes in temperature as
small as 0.1C. Its major limitation lies in its very low current handling capability for reliability and long life, contact current should
be held below 1 mA. In the circuit of Figure 20.4, the S2010LS2
SCR serves as both current amplifier for the Hg thermostat and
as the main load switching element.

Waveform Across Static Switch

A typical example would be in the application of this type circuit

for the control of 5 amp resistive load with 120V RMS input voltage. Choosing a value of 100 Ohms for R1 and assuming a typical value of 1.0 Volt for the gate to MT1 (V GT) voltage, we can
solve for VP by the following:
V P = IGT (R L + R1) + VGT
Note: RC is not included since it is negligible.

1000 WATT HEATER LOAD

V P = .025 (24 + 100) + 1.0 = 4.1 volts

CR1

Additionally the turn-on angle is

1 4.1
= Sin --------------------170VPK

CR2

SCR1

S2010LS2

120V AC
60 CPS

[ = 1.4]

The power lost by the turn-on angle is essentially zero. The

power dissipation in the gate resistor is very minute. A 100 Ohm,
1/4 watt rated resistor may safely be used. The small turn-on
angle also ensures that no appreciable RFI is generated.

CR3

0.1f

The relay circuit of Figures 20.1 and 20.2 has several advantages in that it eliminates contact bounce, noise, additional power
consumption by an energizing coil, and can carry an inrush current of many times its steady state rating.

CR4

D2015L
CR1CR4

R1
510K
TWIST LEADS TO MINIMIZE
PICKUP
Hg IN GLASS THERMOSTAT

The control device (S1) indicated can be either electrical or

mechanical in nature. Light-dependent resistors and light- activated semiconductors, optocoupler, magnetic cores, and magnetic reed switches are all suitable control elements. Regardless
of switch type chosen, it must have a voltage rating equal to or
greater than the peak line voltage applied. In particular, the use
of hermetically sealed reed switches as control elements in combination with triacs offers many advantages. The reed switch can
be actuated by passing DC current through a small winding
around it or by the proximity of a small magnet. In either case,
complete electrical isolation exists between the control signal
input, which may be derived from many sources, and the
switched power output. Long life is assured the triac/reed switch
combination by the minimal volt-ampere switching load placed on
the reed switch by the triac triggering requirements. The thyristor
ratings determine the amount of load power that can be switched.

Figure 20.4

Normally Closed Temperature Controller

With the thermostat open, the SCR will trigger each half cycle
and deliver power to the heater load. When the thermostat
closes, the SCR can no longer trigger and the heater shuts off.
Maximum current through the thermostat in the closed position is
less than 250 A RMS.
Figure 20.5 is an all solid state, optocoupled, normally closed
switch circuit. By using a low voltage SBS triggering device, this
circuit can turn on with only a small delay in each half cycle and
also keep gating power low. When the optocoupled transistor is
turned on, the gate drive is removed with only a few milliamps of
by-pass current around the triac power device. Also by use of the
2N4991 and 0.1 F, less sensitive triacs and alternistors can be
used to control various types of high current loads.

20-2

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Thyristors Used As AC Static Switches and Relays

Technologies or Siemens with optocoupler output triacs which
can handle 1.7A pk (ITSM rating) for a few microseconds at the
peak of the line, a 100 gate resistor would be a better choice.
For loads less than 200 watts, the resistor can be dropped to
22. Remember, if the gate resistor is too large in value, the triac
will not turn on at all or not turn on fully which can cause excessive power dissipation in the gate resistor, causing it to burn out.
Also the voltage and dv/dt rating of the optocoupler's output
device must be equal to or greater than the voltage and dv/dt rating of triac or alternistor it is driving.

LOAD

Q2008L4
TRIAC

51K

120VAC
2N4991
(4) IN4004
0.02F

Figure 20.7 offers a circuit with a dv/dt snubber network included.

This is a typical circuit presented by optocoupler manufacturers.
+

HOT
ZL
PS2502

Figure 20.5

Vcc

Normally Closed Switch Circuit

Rin 1

6 100

MT2

2
4

Optocoupled Driver Circuits

0.1F
C1

MT1

Random Turn-On, Normally-Open

NEUTRAL

There are many applications which use optocouplers to drive thyristors. The combination of a good optocoupler and a triac or
alternistor makes an excellent, inexpensive solid state relay. The
optocoupler manufacturers supply application information which
is not always best for application of the power thyristor. A standard circuit for a resistive load is shown in Figure 20.6.

Figure 20.7

RL
6

120V
60Hz

180

Vcc

MT2

2
4

MT1
NEUTRAL

For low current (mA) and/or highly inductive loads, it may be necessary to have a latching network (3.3K + 0.047F)connected
directly across the power triac. The circuit in Figure 20.8 illustrates the additional latching network.

LOAD COULD BE
IN EITHER LEG

Figure 20.6

Optocoupled Circuit for Resistive Loads (Triac or

Alternistor)

In this circuit, the series gate resistors have been increased to

180 each, since a 240V line is applied. Also, note that the load
is placed on the MT1 side of the power triac to illustrate that load
placement is not important for the circuit to function properly.

A common mistake in this circuit is to make the series gate resistor too large in value. A value of 180 is shown in a typical application circuit by optocoupler manufacturers. The 180 is based
on limiting the current to 1 Amp peak at the peak of a 120V line
input. This is good for protection of the optocoupler output triac,
as well as the gate of the power triac on a 120V line; however, it
must be lowered if a 24V line is being controlled, or if the RL
(resistive load) is 200 watts or less. This resistor limits current for
worst case turn-on at the peak line voltage, but it also sets turnon point (conduction angle) in the sine wave, since triac gate current is determined by this resistor and produced from the sine
wave voltage as explained in Figure 20.2 of this application note.
The load resistance is also important, since it can also limit the
amount of available triac gate current. In most 120V applications
with loads greater than 200 watts, and optocouplers from Quality
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Optocoupler Circuit for Inductive Loads (Triac or

Alternistor)

This clever T circuit hinges around one capacitor to increase

dv/dt capability to either the optocoupler output triac or the power
triac. The sum of the two resistors then forms the triac gate resistor. Note: both resistors should then be standardized and lowered
to 100. Again, this sum resistance needs to be low, allowing as
much gate current as possible without exceeding the instantaneous current rating of the opto output triac or triac gate junction.
By having 100 for current limit in either direction from the
capacitor, the optocoupler output triac and power triac can be
protected against di/dt produced by the capacitor. Of course, it is
most important that the capacitor be connected between proper
terminals of triac. For example, if the capacitor and series resistor are accidentally connected between the gate and MT2, the
triac will turn on from current produced by the capacitor, hence,
loss of control.

HOT

Rin 1

120V
60Hz

100

Rin 1

180

180

Vcc
2

MT2

0.1F
4

3.3K
OHMS

MT1

240V
VAC

0.047F
LOAD

Figure 20.8

20-3

Optocoupler Circuit for Lower Current Inductive Loads

(Triac or Alternistor)

The RMS current through the load and main terminals of the triac
should be approximately 70% of the maximum rating of the
device. However, a 40 Amp triac should not be chosen to control
a 1 Amp load due to low latching and holding current requirements. Remember that the case temperature of the triac must be
maintained at or below the current vs. temperature curve specified on its data sheet. As with all semiconductors the lower the
case temperature the better the reliability. Opto-driven gates normally do not use a sensitive gate triac. The opto-driver can supply up to 1 Amp gate pulses and less sensitive gate triacs have
better dv/dt capability. If the load is resistive, okay to use a standard triac. However, if the load is a heavy inductive type, then an
alternistor triac is recommended or back to back SCRs as shown
in Figure 20.9. A series RC snubber network may or may not be
necessary when using an alternistor triac. Normally a snubber
network is not needed when using an alternistor because of it's
high dv/dt and dv/dt(c) capabilities. However, latching network as
described in Figure 20.8 may be needed for low current load variations.

It should be also noted, that with standard U.S. residential 240V

home wiring, both sides of the line are hot with respect to ground
(no neutral). Hence, for some 240V line applications, it will be
necessary to have a triac switch circuit in both sides of the 240V
line input.
If an application requires back-to-back SCRs instead of a triac or
alternistor, the circuit shown in Figure 20.9 may be used.

Vcc
Rin

NSSCR

A
NSSCR
K

0.1F

100

120
VAC

100

LOAD

Figure 20.9

Optocoupled Circuit for Heavy Duty Inductive Loads

Zero Crossing Turn-On, Normally

Open Relay Circuits

Again, all the aforementioned application comments and recommendations apply. Notice the snubber network can only be
applied across the SCRs as shown. The optocoupler should be
chosen for best noise immunity. Also the voltage rating of the
optocoupler output triac must be equal to or greater than the voltage rating of SCRs.

When a power circuit is mechanically switched on and off

mechanically, high frequency components are generated that can
cause interference problems such as RFI. When power is initially
applied, a step function of voltage is applied to the circuit which
causes a shock excitation. Random switch opening chops current
off, again generating high frequencies. In addition, abrupt current
interruption in an inductive circuit can lead to high induced voltage transients.

Summary of Random Turn-On Relays

The latching characteristics of thyristors are ideal for eliminating

interference problems due to current interruption since these
devices can only turn off when the on-state current approaches
zero, regardless of load power factor.

LOAD COULD BE HERE

INSTEAD OF LOWER LOCATION

Rin

NPUT

180 for 120VAC

360 for 240VAC

TRIAC or
ALTERNISTOR

HOT
MT2

100

MT1

On the other hand, interference-free turn-on with thyristors

requires special trigger circuits. It has been proven experimentally that general purpose AC circuits will generate minimum
electromagnetic interference (EMI) if energized at zero voltage.

120/240
VAC

3
0.1mF
NEUTRAL

The ideal AC circuit switch, therefore, consists of a contact which

closes at the instant when voltage across it is zero and opens at
the instant when current through it is zero. This has become
known as zero-voltage switching.

LOAD

Figure 20.10 Random Turn-On Triac Driver

As shown in Figure 20.10, if the voltage across the load is to be

phase controlled, the input control circuitry will have to be synchronized to the line frequency and the trigger pulses delayed
from zero crossing each and every half cycle. If the series gate
resistor is chosen to limit the peak current through the opto-driver
to less than one amp, then on a 120 VAC line the peak voltage is
170 volts, therefore, the resistor is 180. On a 240 VAC line the
peak voltage is 340 volts, therefore, the resistor should be 360.
These gate pulses are only as long as the device takes to turn on
(typically 5 to 6 seconds), therefore, watt resistor is adequate.

For applications that require synchronized zero-crossing turn-on,

Figure 20.11 circuit is presented, which incorporates an optocoupler with a built-in zero-crossing detector

Rin

22

Vcc
HOT

MT2

2
4

The triac should be selected for the voltage of the line being
used, the current through the load, and the type of load. Since
the peak voltage of a 120VAC line is 170 volts you would choose
a 200 volt (min.) device. If the application is used in an electrically noisy industrial environment, a 400 volt device should be
used. If the line voltage to be controlled is 240VAC with a peak
voltage of 340 volts, then use at least a 400 volt rated part or 600
volts for more design margin. Selection of the voltage rating of
the opto-driver must be the same or higher than the rating of the
power triac. In electrically noisy industrial locations, the dv/dt rating of the opto-driver and the triac must be considered.

ZERO
CROSSING
CIRCUIT

100
120
VAC

MT1

0.1 F
NEUTRAL
LOAD

Figure 20.11 Optocoupled Circuit with Zero-Crossing Turn On (Triac or

Alternistor)

Also, this circuit includes a dv/dt snubber network connected

across the power triac. This typical circuit illustrates switching the
hot line; however, the load may be connected to either the hot or
neutral line. It also should be noted that the series gate resistor is

20-4

Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777

Thyristors Used As AC Static Switches and Relays

low in value, 22, which is possible on a 120V line and above,
since zero-crossing turn-on is insured in any initial half-cycle.

Typical Solid State Controller Circuit

Using Zero Switching

Summary of Zero Crossing Turn-On Circuits

The CA3059 zero-voltage switch is a monolithic integrated circuit

used primarily as a trigger circuit for the control of thyristors. The
multistage circuit employs a diode limiter, a threshold detector, a
differential amplifier, and Darlington output driver to provide the
basic switching action. The DC supply voltage for these stages is
supplied by an internal zener-diode-regulated power supply that
has sufficient current capability to drive external circuit elements,
such as transistors and other integrated circuits. This built-in
power supply provides unique solutions to many application
problems. An important feature of the CA3059 is that the trigger
pulses developed by this circuit can be applied directly to the
gate of a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) or a triac. A built-in failsafe circuit inhibits the application of these pulses to the thyristor
gate circuit in the event that the external sensor for the integrated-circuit switch should be inadvertently opened or shorted.

Zero voltage crossing turn on opto-drivers are designed to limit

turn on voltage to less than 20 volts. This reduces the amount
RFI and EMI generated when the thyristor switches on. Because
of this zero turn on, these devices can not be used to phase control loads. Therefore, speed control of a motor and dimming of a
lamp can not be accomplished with zero turn on opto-couplers.
Since the voltage is limited to 20 volts or less, the series gate
resistor that limits the gate drive current has to be much lower
with a zero crossing opto-driver. With typical inhibit voltage of 5
volts an alternistor triac gate, could require 160 ma at -30C, (5v /
.16A = 31 ohm gate resistor). If the load has a high inrush current, then drive the gate of the triac with as much current as reliably possible but stay under the I TSM rating of the opto-driver. By
using 22 ohms for the gate resistor, a current of at least 227mA is
supplied with only 5 volts, but limited to 909mA if the voltage
goes to 20 volts. As shown in Figures 20.12, 20.13, and 20.14 a
22 ohm gate resistor is a good choice for various zero crossing
controllers.

Basic Circuit Operation

Figure 20.15 shows a functional block diagram of the CA3059
integrated-circuit zero-voltage switch. Any triac that is driven
directly from the output terminal of this circuit should be characterized for operation in the Quadrant I and Quadrant IV triggering
modes, i.e., with positive gate current (current flows into the gate
for both polarities of the applied AC voltage).

LOAD COULD BE HERE

INSTEAD OF LOWER LOCATION

Rin

22

TRIAC or
ALTERNISTOR

INPUT

100

12
CA3059

4
3

HOT
MT2
MT1

ZERO
CROSSING
CIRCUIT

120/240
VAC

RS
5

POWER
SUPPLY

LIMITER

RL

0.1mF
NEUTRAL

"O"
CROSSING
DET.

CX

LOAD

3
MT2

Figure 20.12 Zero Crossing Turn-On Opto Triac Driver

60Hz
120/240
VAC

100F
15V

2
1

FAIL
SAFE

14

Rin 1

100

G
K

INPUT
2

100
G

* GATE DIODES TO HAVE

THE SAME PIV AS SCR's

22

K
A

1K

120/240
VAC

0.1F

LOAD COULD BE HERE

INSTEAD OF UPPER LOCATION

Figure 20.14 Zero Crossing Turn-On Opto Sensitive Gate SCR Driver

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+1 972 580-7777

SENSOR

10

11

= NEGATIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT

Series Resistor
RS(k)

Power Rating
RS(watts)

2
10
20
25

0.5
2
4
5

The limiter stage of the CA3059 clips the incoming AC line voltage to approximately plus and minus 8 Volts. This signal is then
applied to the zero-voltage-crossing detector which generates an
output pulse during each passage of the line voltage through
zero. The limiter output is also applied to a rectifying diode and
an external capacitor that comprise the DC power supply. The

1K

ZERO
CROSSING
CIRCUIT

*NTC

AC Input
Voltage (volts)
50/60 or 400 Hz
24
120
208/230
277

LOAD

INPUT
2

0.1F

Figure 20.13 Zero Crossing Turn-On Non Sensitive SCR Driver

ON/OFF
SENSING
AMP.

*NTC

LOAD COULD BE HERE

INSTEAD OF UPPER LOCATION

Rin 1

MT1

Figure 20.15 Zero-Switching Heat Controller

22

SENSITIVE GATE
SCR's

4
ZERO
CROSSING
CIRCUIT

CEXT

120/240
VAC

INHIBIT

13

LOAD

NON SENSITIVE GATE

SCR's

TRIAC
GATING
CIRCUIT

INV.

RP

20-5

power supply provides approximately 6 Volts as the VCC supply

to the other stages of the CA3059. The on/off sensing amplifier is
basically a differential comparator. The triac gating circuit contains a driver for direct triac triggering. The gating circuit is
enabled when all the inputs are at a high voltage, i.e., the line
voltage must be approximately zero Volts, the sensing-amplifier
output must be high, the external voltage to terminal 1 must be
a logical 1", and the output of the fail-safe circuit must be high.

8.3ms
LINE
VOLTAGE

Figure 20.16 shows the position and width of the pulses supplied
to the gate of a thyristor with respect to the incoming AC line voltage. The CA3059 can supply sufficient gate voltage and current
to trigger most triacs at ambient temperatures of 25C. However,
under worst-case conditions (i.e., at ambient temperature
extremes and maximum triggering requirement), selection of the
higher current thyristors may be necessary for particular applications.

TIME
GATE
PULSES
100 S
Figure 20.16 Thyristor Gate Signal Timing

Required Thyristor Characteristics Due To Load

For ratios greater than 4 to 1, for example 100 to 1, the circuit

shown in Figure 20.17 may be employed to provide fail-safe
operation. In this circuit, transistor Q1 and diode D1 are components external to the CA3059. Transistor Q1 detects the sensor
current which maintains this transistor in saturation so that terminal 1 is effectively shorted to terminal 7 through the collector-toemitter junction of the transistor. Transistor Q 1 provides sufficient
current gain to permit operation with a sensor impedance greater
than 1 megohm. If the sensor becomes open-circuited, transistor
Q1 turns off, and current then flows into terminal 1, the inhibit terminal of the CA3059, and results in the removal of power to the
load. For the shorted-sensor condition, the external diode D 1
conducts and causes the triac to turn off. Diode D2 compensates
for variations in the base-to-emitter voltage of transistor Q 1 with
temperature. Terminals 13 and 14 on the CA3059 should not be
connected together when the external fail-safe circuit shown in
this illustration is employed.

The CA3059 is designed primarily to gate a thyristor that

switches a resistive load. Because the output pulse supplied by
the CA3059 is of short duration, the latching current of the triac
becomes a significant factor in determining whether other types
of loads can be switched. (The latching-current value determines
whether the triac will remain in conduction after the gate pulse is
removed.) Provisions are included in the CA3059 to accommodate inductive loads and low power loads. For example, for loads
that are less than approximately 4 amperes RMS or that are
slightly inductive, it is possible to retard the output pulse with
respect to the zero-voltage crossing by insertion of the capacitor
CX from terminal 5 to terminal 7 as shown in Figure 20.15. The
insertion of capacitor CX permits switching of triac loads that
have a slight inductive component and that are greater than
approximately 200 watts (for operation from an AC line voltage of
120 volts RMS). However, for loads less than 200 watts (for
example, 70 watts), it is recommended that the user employ the
sensitive gate triac with the CA3059 because of the low latchingcurrent requirement of this triac.

10 K
2W
120 VAC
60Hz

For loads that have a low power factor, such as a solenoid valve,
the user may operate the CA3059 in the DC mode. In this mode,
terminal 12 is connected to terminal 7, and the zero-crossing
detector is inhibited. Whether a high or low voltage is produced at terminal 4 is then dependent only upon the state of the
differential comparator within the CA3059 integrated circuit and
not upon the zero crossing of the incoming line voltage. Of
course, in this mode of operation, the CA3059 no longer operates
as a zero-voltage switch. However, for many applications that
involve the switching of low-current inductive loads, the amount
of RFI generated can frequently be tolerated.

HEATER
LOAD

2
6
RP

D1

MT2

IN914
13
+

100F
10 VDC

CA3059

14
G
8

MT1

Q2008L4

7
INHIBIT 1
NTC
THERMISTOR
RTH

Fail-Safe Feature
As shown in Figure 20.15, when terminal 13 is connected to terminal 14, the fail-safe circuit of the CA3059 is operable. If the
sensor should then be accidentally opened or shorted, power is
removed from the load (i.e., the triac is turned off). The internal
fail-safe circuit functions properly, however, only when the ratio of
the sensor impedance at 25C and potentiometer is less than 4
to 1.

0.1F
10 V

10

11

100 K
1/2 W

12

D2
IN914

2N3858
VBE

Q1

Figure 20.17 Improved Fail-Safe for Zero-Switching Heat Controller

Three Phase Controller

With the growing demand for solid-state switching of AC power in
heating controls and other industrial applications has resulted in
the increasing use of triac circuits in the control of three phase
power. In these power-control circuits the CA3059 integrated-circuit zero-voltage switch can be used as the trigger circuit for the
power triacs.
20-6

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+1 972 580-7777

Thyristors Used As AC Static Switches and Relays

Design Requirements

therefore, the amount of RFI generated is usually negligible.

Also, because of the lagging nature of the inductive current, the
triacs cannot be pulse-fired at zero-voltage. There are several
ways in which the CA3059 may be interfaced to a triac for inductive-load applications. The most direct approach is to use the
CA3059 in the DC mode, i.e., to provide a continuous DC output
instead of pulses at points of zero-voltage crossing. This mode of
operation is accomplished by connection of terminal 12 to terminal 7, as shown in Figure 20.18. The output of the CA3059
should also be limited to approximately 5 milliamperes in the DC
mode by the 750 Ohm series resistor. Use of a logic triac such as
the L401E5 is recommended for this application. Terminal 3 is
connected to terminal 2 to limit the steady-state power dissipation within the CA3059. For most three phase inductive load
applications, the current-handling capability of the L401E5 triac
(1.0 ampere) is not sufficient. Therefore, the L401E5 is used as a
trigger triac to turn on any other currently available power triac or
alternistor that may be used. The trigger triac is used only to provide trigger pulses to the gate of the power triac (one pulse per
half-cycle); the power dissipation in this device, therefore, will be
minimal.

The following conditions are imposed in the design of the three

phase triac control circuits:
(1) The load should be connected in the three-wire configuration
with the triacs placed external to the load; either delta or wye
arrangements may be used.
(2) Only one logic command signal is available for the control
circuits. This signal must be electrically isolated from the
three phase power system.
(3) Three separate triac gating signals are required.
(4) Two phases must be turned on for initial starting of the system.

Isolation of DC Logic Circuitry

Isolation of the DC logic circuitry from the AC line, the triac, and
the load circuit is often desirable even in many single-phase
power-control applications. In control circuits for polyphase
power systems, however, this type of isolation is essential,
because the common point of the DC logic circuitry cannot be
referenced to a common line in all phases. In a three phase system the phases are 120 degrees apart; consequently, all three
phases cannot be switched on simultaneously at zero-voltage.

Simplified circuits using pulse transformers and reed relays will

also work quite satisfactorily in this type of application. The RC
networks across the three power triacs are used for suppression
of the commutating dv/dt when the circuit operates into inductive
loads; however, when alternistor power devices are used a snubber network most probably is not necessary.

Typical Circuit
For inductive loads, zero-voltage turn-on is not generally required
because the inductive current cannot increase instantaneously;

120V
3 INPUT

4K
25K
100

13

L401E5 (3 ea)
5

750

CA3059

MT-2

12

7
9

10

MT-1

11

10K

MT-1

25K
100

13

CA3059

10

100

0.1 F
100

11

3
3

4K

13
8

CA3059

100
750

0.1 F

12

7
9

10

100

11

OPTO ISOLATORS

100 0.1 F

Figure 20.18 Triac Three Phase Control Circuit for a Three Phase Motor Load

Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777

MT-2

POWER
TRIAC OR
ALTERNISTOR
(3 EA.)

MOTOR

25K

10K

REF

12

DC
LOGIC

4K
750

10K

100

100

20-7

Time Delay Relay Circuit

IR Motion Control

By combining a 555 timer IC with a triac, various time delays of

several seconds can be achieved for delayed activation of solid
state relays / switches.Figure 20.19 Illustrates a solid state timer
delay relay using a sensitive gate Triac and a 555 timer IC. The
555 timer in the time delay mode of operation precisely controls
time delay of operation using an external resistor and capacitor
as illustrated by the resistor and capacitor combination curves.
(Figure 20.20)

A more complex triac switch is illustrated in an infrared (IR)

motion detector controller circuit. Applications for this circuit can
be, alarm systems, automatic lighting, auto doorbells, and others.
Figure 20.21 demonstrates an easy to implement automatic lighting system using an infrared motion detector control circuit. A
commercially available LSI circuit, HT761XB, from Holtek integrates most of the analog functions. This LSI chip, U2, contains
the op amps, comparators, zero crossing detection, oscillators
and a triac output trigger. An external RC that is connected to the
OSCD pin determines the output trigger pulse width. (Holtek
Semiconductor Inc. is located at No.3, Creation Road II, ScienceBased Industrial Park, Hsinchu, Taiwan, R.O.C.) Device U1 provides the infrared sensing. Device R13 is a photo sensor that
serves to prevent inadvertent triggering under daylight or other
high light conditions.

1K
LOAD
MT2
10K

4
2
5
0.1F

6
7

555
0.01F

10M

MT1

120VAC
60Hz

Choosing the right triac depends on the load characteristics. For

example, an incandescent lamp operating at 110 volts would
require a 200 volt 8 amp triac. Using an 8 amp triac will give sufficient margin to allow for the high current state during lamp burn
out. U2 provides a minimum output triac negative gate trigger
current of 40ma, thus operating in QII & QIII. This meets the
requirements of a 25ma gate triac. Teccor also offers alternistor
triacs for inductive load conditions as well.

1F
1N4003

-10V

3.5K

1N4740

250V

10F

Figure 20.19 555 timer circuit with 10 second delay

This circuit has three operating modes (ON, AUTO, OFF), which
can be set through the mode pin. While the LSI chip is working in
the auto mode the user can override it and switch to the test
mode, or manual on mode, or return to the auto mode by switching the power switch. More information on this circuit, such as
mask options for the infrared trigger pulse and flash options, are
available in the Holtek HT761X General Purpose PIR Controller
specifications.

100

0K

10

1M

10

10

1.0

1K

C, (CAPACITANCE) (F)

10

0.1

0.01

0.001
10s

100s

1s

10s

100s

1.0

10

100

td TIME DELAY (s)

Figure 20.20 Resistor (R) and capacitor (C) combination curves

C7
3900P
R6
1M

C3
100p
AC+
110

U2
1
2

SW1
ON/OFF
OVERRIDE

R7
1M

C8
0.1
LP1
Lamp
60 to
600
Watt

R8 569K
D3
1N4002

R9
1M

7
8
R2
2.4M

TRIAC
OSCD
OSCS
ZC
CDS
MODE
VDD

C12
22u

HT761XB
-16 DIP/SOP

AUTO

C10
0.33u
350V

D4
1N4002

VSS

R3
C4
100u

*R10

C11
330u

D1
12V

R12
22K

R5
22K

C2
0.02u

R4
1M

C13
0.02u
C9
10u

56K
2

3
G

S
D

D2
1N4002

C6
22u

ON

D5
1N4002

R14
68 2W

SW2
Mode

OFF

R9
1M

Q1
TRIAC
Q2008L4

3
4

C5
0.02u

16
OP20
15
OP2N
14
OP2P
13
OP10
12
OP1N
11
OP1P
10
RSTB
9
VEE

U1
PIR
SD622
(Nippon
Ceramic)

R13
CDS
C1
100u

AC

Figure 20.21 I R motion control circuit

20-8

Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777