A triac is a semi-conductor device which acts as aa)2 Terminal unidire...
Triac:
- A Triac is a bidirectional thyristor with three terminals i.e. it can conduct in both directions.
- Its three terminals are usually designated as MT1 (Anode 1), MT2 (Anode 2), and the gate by G as in a thyristor.
- When in operation, a Triac is equivalent to two SCRs connected in antiparallel.
- As the Triac can conduct in both directions, the terms anode and cathode are not applicable to Triac.
- It is used extensively for the control of power in ac circuits.
The symbol and the i-v characteristics of triac are shown below.
A triac may sometimes operate in the rectifier mode rather than in the bidirectional mode. This may happen due to the following reasons.
- For a given value of positive gate current, a triac may turn on with MT2 positive in the first quadrant but may fail to turn on with MT2 negative.
- With constant negative gate current, the triac may turn on with MT2 negative in the third quadrant but may not turn on with MT2 positive.
A triac is a semi-conductor device which acts as aa)2 Terminal unidire...
Triac as a 3 Terminal Bidirectional Switch
A triac is a semiconductor device that acts as a bidirectional switch and is commonly used in AC power control applications. It is a three-terminal device that can conduct current in both directions when triggered appropriately. The correct answer to the given question is option 'C', which states that a triac is a three-terminal bidirectional switch.
Three-Terminal Device
A triac consists of three terminals: Main Terminal 1 (MT1), Main Terminal 2 (MT2), and Gate (G). These terminals are used to control the flow of current through the device.
Bidirectional Switch
A bidirectional switch is a device that can control the flow of current in both directions. Unlike a unidirectional switch, which can only conduct current in one direction, a bidirectional switch is suitable for AC power control applications where the current periodically changes direction.
Working Principle
A triac is a two-way thyristor, meaning it can conduct current in both directions. It consists of two SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) structures connected in parallel but in opposite directions. The operation of a triac can be understood by considering the four quadrants of its operation.
1. Quadrant I: In this quadrant, the voltage across MT1 and MT2 is positive, and the gate current is positive. The triac is forward-biased, and it conducts current. This quadrant represents the positive half-cycle of an AC waveform.
2. Quadrant II: In this quadrant, the voltage across MT1 and MT2 is negative, and the gate current is positive. The triac is reverse-biased, and it does not conduct current. This quadrant represents the negative half-cycle of an AC waveform.
3. Quadrant III: In this quadrant, the voltage across MT1 and MT2 is negative, and the gate current is negative. The triac is forward-biased, and it conducts current. This quadrant represents the negative half-cycle of an AC waveform.
4. Quadrant IV: In this quadrant, the voltage across MT1 and MT2 is positive, and the gate current is negative. The triac is reverse-biased, and it does not conduct current. This quadrant represents the positive half-cycle of an AC waveform.
Applications
Due to its bidirectional switching capability, a triac is widely used in various AC power control applications such as:
1. Dimmer switches: Triacs are commonly used in lighting control circuits to adjust the brightness of incandescent lamps.
2. Motor speed control: Triacs can be used to control the speed of AC motors.
3. Heating control: Triacs are used in electric heaters and ovens for temperature control.
4. Power control: Triacs are used for power regulation in AC circuits.
In conclusion, a triac is a three-terminal bidirectional switch that can conduct current in both directions when triggered appropriately. It is a versatile device widely used in AC power control applications.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Electrical Engineering (EE) study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Electrical Engineering (EE).