AN1003
Application Notes
Load
Load
Triac
Triac
(Q2010L5)
R
R
R
4
250 k
3.3 k
(Q2010L5)
1
3.3 k
100
R
68 k
2
R
250 k
2
1
120 V
(60 Hz)
R
3
120 V
(60 Hz)
(For Inductive
Loads)
100 k
Trim
C
0.1 µF
1
Diac
HT34B
C
C
1
0.1 µF
Diac
HT34B
0.1 µF
2
0.1 µF
Figure AN1003.9
Basic Diac-Triac Phase Control
Figure AN1003.11 Extended Range Full-wave Phase Control
The hysteresis (snap back) effect is somewhat similar to the
action of a kerosene lantern. That is, when the control knob is
first rotated from the off condition, the lamp can be lit only at
some intermediate level of brightness, similar to turning up the
wick to light the lantern. Brightness can then be turned down until
it finally reaches the extinguishing point. If this occurs, the lamp
can only be relit by turning up the control knob again to the inter-
mediate level. Figure AN1003.10 illustrates the hysteresis effect
in capacitor-diac triggering. As R1 is brought down from its maxi-
mum resistance, the voltage across the capacitor increases until
the diac first fires at point A, at the end of a half-cycle (conduction
angle θi). After the gate pulse, however, the capacitor voltage
drops suddenly to about half the triggering voltage, giving the
capacitor a different initial condition. The capacitor charges to the
diac, triggering voltage at point B in the next half-cycle and giving
a steady-state conduction angle shown as θ for the triac.
By using one of the circuits shown in Figure AN1003.12, the hys-
teresis effect can be eliminated entirely. The circuit (a) resets the
timing capacitor to the same level after each positive half-cycle,
providing a uniform initial condition for the timing capacitor. This
circuit is useful only for resistive loads since the firing angle is not
symmetrical throughout the range. If symmetrical firing is
required, use the circuit (b) shown in Figure AN1003.12.
Load
Triac
R
3
3.3 k
(Q2010L5)
R
(a)
2
15 k
1/2 W
R
D
1
250 k
1
120 V
(60 Hz)
C
0.1 µF
D
1
Diac
2
D
, D = 200 V Diodes
2
1
AC Line
Load
θ
Triac
(Q2010L5)
Diac Triggers at "A"
R
4
(b)
R
2
R
3
[+Diac VBO
]
]
R
1
1
A
120 V
(60 Hz)
B
D
D
3
[–Diac VBO
Diac Does Not
Capacitor
Voltage
Diac
θTi rigger at "A"
D
C
1
0.1 µF
D
2
4
R
R
= 250 k POT
R
D
= 3.3 k
1
2
4
1
, D , D , D = 200 V Diodes
2 3 4
, R = 15 k, 1/2 W
3
Figure AN1003.10 Relationship of AC Line Voltage and Triggering
Voltage
Figure AN1003.12 Wide-range Hysteresis Free Phase Control
In the Figure AN1003.11 illustration, the addition of a second RC
phase-shift network extends the range on control and reduces
the hysteresis effect to a negligible region. This circuit will control
from 5% to 95% of full load power, but is subject to supply volt-
age variations. When R1 is large, C1 is charged primarily through
R3 from the phase-shifted voltage appearing across C2. This
action provides additional range of phase-shift across C1 and
enables C2 to partially recharge C1 after the diac has triggered,
thus reducing hysteresis. R3 should be adjusted so that the circuit
just drops out of conduction when R1 is brought to maximum
resistance.
For more complex control functions, particularly closed loop con-
trols, the unijunction transistor may be used for the triggering
device in a ramp and pedestal type of firing circuit as shown in
Figure AN1003.13.
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AN1003 - 4
©2002 Teccor Electronics
Thyristor Product Catalog
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