Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE)

Faculty of Engineering (FE)

American International University- Bangladesh (AIUB)

Laboratory Report
Industrial Electronics and Drives Laboratory
Section: A Semester: Summer 2020-21

Experiment No. : 03
Experiment Title : AC Voltage Controller (using DIAC and TRIAC)

Date of Experiment: 13-06-2021 Date of Report Submission: 20-06-2021

Submitted by: Name: Rahman, Salman ID: 17-36014-3

Group Members (only for group report submission)

Group No.
ID Name
1. 17-36014-3 Rahman, Salman
2. 18-36341-1 Kabir, Kazi Shahadat

7 3.
4.
5.
18-36361-1
17-36013-3
18-37017-1
Hossain, Md. Jobaer
Sarkar, Md. Mahi
Dey, Ratul
Marking Rubrics for Laboratory Report (to be filled by Faculty)
Objectives Unsatisfactory (1) Good (2-3) Excellent (4-5) Marks
The relevant theories are not Part of the relevant theories are All the relevant theories are
being described properly. described with proper included with proper descriptions,
Theory
mathematical expression and mathematical expressions and
circuit diagrams (if any) circuit diagrams. (if any)
Simulation circuits are not Partial simulation circuit results All the simulation circuits are
Simulation circuits &
included in this report. are included in this report. included in this report with
Results
appropriate results.
Cannot reach meaningful Can extract most of the accurate Can extract all relevant conclusion
Discussion,
conclusions from data. Answers to the report with appropriate answer to the
Comparison between
experimental data; Cannot questions are partially correct; report questions; Summarize
theoretical and
summarize or compare Summarize finding in an finding in a complete & specific
simulation results
findings to expected results incomplete way way
Report is not prepared as per Report format is satisfactory with Report is prepared as per the
Overall Report
the instruction. few missing sections. instructions having all mandatory
format
sections.
Comments Assessed by (Name, Sign, and Date)
Total (out of 20):
 Title: AC Voltage Controller (using DIAC and TRIAC)

Abstract:

In this lab we understood the Light dimmer characteristic using DIAC and TRIAC. The objective
of this experiment was to control AC voltage using DIAC and TRIAC.

Introduction:

Light dimmer circuit is used to adjust the illumination of lamp. The circuit in figure 6 shows the
basic TRIAC triggering circuit using DIAC. Here in this circuit the light illumination is
controlled using TRIAC and DIAC. The DIAC is a bi-directional trigger diode used mainly in
firing TRIACs and thyristors in AC control circuits.

Theory and Methodology:

DIAC (Diode for Alternating Current):

A DIAC is a three-layer, two-junction, two terminal (labeled A1 and A2) bidirectional

semiconductor device which can be switched from OFF state to ON state for either polarity of
applied voltage. If a positive or negative voltage is applied across the terminals, only a small
amount of leakage current flow through it. As the applied voltage is increased, the leakage
current will continue to flow until the voltage reaches the break over voltage VBO. At this point
avalanche breakdown occurs and the device exhibits negative resistance, i.e. current through the
device increases with the decreasing values of applied voltage.

Structure:

Fig 1(a): Symbol of a DIAC Fig 1(b): Basic structure of a DIAC Fig 1(c): DIAC
 Fig. 2: I-V characteristics of DIAC

TRIAC (Triode AC switch):

A TRIAC is a 3 terminal semiconductor switching device which can control alternating current
in a load. A TRIAC behaves just like two conventional SCRs connected together in inverse
parallel (back-to-back) with respect to each other and because of this arrangement the two SCRs
share a common Gate terminal all within a single three-terminal package. Its characteristics in I
(First) and III (Third) quadrants are essentially identical to those of an SCR in the I quadrant.
The TRIAC can be operated with either positive or negative gate control voltage, but in normal
operation usually the gate voltage is positive in I quadrant and negative in III quadrant. The
supply voltage at which the TRIAC is turned ON depends upon the gate current. The greater the
gate current, the smaller the supply voltage at which the TRIAC is turned on.

Since a TRIAC conducts in both directions of a sinusoidal waveform, the concept of an Anode
terminal and a Cathode terminal used to identify the main power terminals of a SCR are replaced
with identifications of: MT1, for Main Terminal 1 and MT2, for Main Terminal 2 with the Gate
terminal G referenced the same.

Fig 3(a): Symbol of a TRIAC Fig 3(b): Equivalent circuit of a Fig 3(c): Internal construction of
TRIAC TRIAC
 Fig. 4: Pin configuration of TRIAC

I-V characteristics of TRIAC:

Fig. 5: I-V Characteristics of TRIAC

Apparatus:

• PC/Laptop installed with Multisim

• DIAC [1N5758]
• TRIAC [2N6073BG]
• AC power supply [120 Vrms , 60 Hz]
• Oscilloscope
• Resistors [100 KΩ, 56 KΩ, 47 KΩ]
• POT [500 KΩ]
• Capacitors [0.01uF , 0.33uF ]
• Light Bulb [120V_100W]
Simulation and Measurement:

Fig 6: Simulated Light dimmer circuit

Fig 7: Output Characteristics

Questions for report writing:

1. Illustrate the basic differences in between DIAC and TRIAC along with the I-V
characteristics.

DIAC Symbol and I-V Characteristics:

Fig. 8: DIAC characteristics.

We can see from the above DIAC I-V characteristics curves that the DIAC blocks the
flow of current in both directions until the applied voltage is greater than VBR, at which
point breakdown of the device occurs and the DIAC conducts heavily in a similar way to
the Zener diode passing a sudden pulse of voltage. This VBR point is called the DIACs
breakdown voltage or breakover voltage. In an ordinary Zener diode, the voltage across it
would remain constant as the current increased. However, in the DIAC the transistor
action causes the voltage to reduce as the current increases. Once in the conducting state,
the resistance of the DIAC falls to a very low value allowing a relatively large value of
current to flow. For most commonly available DIACs such as the ST2 or DB3, their
breakdown voltage typically ranges from about ±25 to 35 volts. Higher breakover voltage
ratings are available, for example 40 volts for the DB4 DIAC. This action gives the DIAC
the characteristic of a negative resistance as shown above. As the DIAC is a symmetrical
device, it therefore has the same characteristic for both positive and negative voltages and
it is this negative resistance action that makes the DIAC suitable as a triggering device for
SCR’s or TRIAC’s.

TRIAC I-V Characteristics Curves:

In Quadrant Ι, the TRIAC is usually triggered into conduction by a positive gate current,
labelled above as mode Ι+. But it can also be triggered by a negative gate current, mode
Ι–. Similarly, in Quadrant <ΙΙΙ, triggering with a negative gate current, –ΙG is also
 common, mode ΙΙΙ– along with mode ΙΙΙ+. Modes Ι– and ΙΙΙ+ are, however, less sensitive
configurations requiring a greater gate current to cause triggering than the more common
TRIAC triggering modes of Ι+ and ΙΙΙ–.

Fig. 9: TRIAC characteristics curves.

Also, just like silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCR’s), TRIAC’s also require a minimum
holding current IH to maintain conduction at the waveforms cross over point. Then even
though the two thyristors are combined into one single TRIAC device, they still exhibit
individual electrical characteristics such as different breakdown voltages, holding
currents and trigger voltage levels exactly the same as we would expect from a single
SCR device.

2. Why a DIAC is called a bidirectional device?

A DIAC is much similar to the transistor so more strictly it is called as a transistor than a
thyristor. As it cascaded with 2 diodes back to back, we know diode only conduct one
direction but when we connect 2 diodes then it can conduct in both directions therefor it
called a bidirectional device.

3. Does the DIAC conduct equally during the positive & negative alternations?

Yes, because it is a bidirectional device or symmetrical. We can observe it in fig. 7 output

characteristic.
4. What is the main function of TRIAC?

The TRIAC is a development of the thyristor. While the thyristor can only control current
over one half of the cycle, the TRIAC controls it over two halves of an AC waveform.

5. How is a TRIAC equivalent to two anti-parallel SCRs? Is it exact anti-parallel?

Fig. 10: Construction of the TRIAC.

TRIAC for short which is also a member of the thyristor family that be used as a solid-
state power switching device but more importantly it is a “bidirectional” device. A
TRIAC behaves just like two conventional thyristors connected together in inverse
parallel (back-to-back) with respect to each other and because of this arrangement the two
thyristors share a common Gate terminal all within a single three-terminal package.

6. How do you get the phase-controlled ac output voltage in this experiment?

Fig. 11: DIAC as a Phase controller.

As the AC supply voltage increases at the beginning of the cycle, capacitor, C is charged
through the series combination of the fixed resistor, R1 and the potentiometer, VR1 and
the voltage across its plates increases. When the charging voltage reaches the breakover
voltage of the DIAC (about 30 V for the ST2), the DIAC breaks down and the capacitor
discharges through the DIAC. The discharge produces a sudden pulse of current, which
 fires the TRIAC into conduction. The phase angle at which the TRIAC is triggered can be
varied using VR1, which controls the charging rate of the capacitor. Resistor, R1 limits
the gate current to a safe value when VR1 is at its minimum. Once the TRIAC has been
fired into conduction, it is maintained in its “ON” state by the load current flowing
through it, while the voltage across the resistor–capacitor combination is limited by the
“ON” voltage of the TRIAC and is maintained until the end of the present half-cycle of
the AC supply.

At the end of the half cycle the supply voltage falls to zero, reducing the current through
the TRIAC below its holding current, IH turning it “OFF” and the DIAC stops
conduction. The supply voltage then enters its next half-cycle, the capacitor voltage again
begins to rise (this time in the opposite direction) and the cycle of firing the TRIAC
repeats over again.

7. Explain why a TRIAC can replace a SCR but a SCR cannot replace a TRIAC?

TRIAC is equivalent to two SCR join together back to back in reverse polarity from each
other. Therefore, TRIAC is a bidirectional part whereas SCR is unit directional parts.
Now you know the reason.

8. Why do not we use UJT relaxation oscillator instead of DIAC?

UJTs operate at relatively low voltages, and DIACs operate at higher voltages. Also, the
on resistance of UJTs is much larger than a DIAC.

Discussion:

In this experiment we mainly focus in the light dimmer circuit using DIAC and TRIAC, it also
called AC voltage controller. As we know AC is two directional signals so to control this signal,
we have to used that kind of device which can operate both in the positive cycle and for the
negative cycles. We know from the theory we can control the illumination of the light by
controlling the phase angle of the TRAIC triggering. We also observe that if we increase the
resistance of the potentiometer then the DIAC triggers the circuit and the intensity of the light
also increases and vice versa.

Conclusion:
Overall throughout the laboratory experiment, we completed our objective of understanding and
operation of the DIAC and TRIAC. Also, we learned how to regulate the AC voltage by using
those devises. At first, we implemented all circuits in the NI multism 14.2 . In this experiment,
there was a complex connection so we implement every circuit very carefully.
Reference(s):

[1]. Industrial Electronics Lab Manual, American International University-Bangladesh

(AIUB).
[2]. https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/power/diac.html.
[3]. https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/power/triac.html.
[4]. https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/power/diac-unijunction-transistor.html.