Teccor Electronics 16-1

+1 972 580-7777
Phase Control Using Thyristors
16
Introduction
Due to high volume production techniques, thyristors are now
priced so that almost any electrical product can benefit from elec-
tronic control. By looking at the fundamentals of SCR and triac
phase controls, one can see how this is possible.
Output Power Characteristics
Phase control is the most common form of thyristor power con-
trol. The thyristor is held in the off condition (all current flow in
the circuit is blocked by the thyristor except a minute leakage
current). The thyristor is then triggered into an on condition by
the control circuitry.
For full-wave AC control, a single triac or two SCRs connected in
inverse parallel may be used. Two methods may be used for full-
wave DC control; either a bridge rectifier formed by two SCRs or
an SCR placed in series with a diode bridge as shown in Figure
16.1.
Figure 16.1 SCR/Triac Connections for Various Methods of Phase
Control
Voltage waveform and some common terms used to describe
thyristor operation are illustrated in Figure 16.2. Delay angle is
the time during which the thyristor blocks the line voltage. The
conduction angle is the time during which the thyristor is on.
It is important to note that the circuit current is determined by the
load and power source. For simplification purposes, assume the
load is resistive; hence, both the voltage and current waveforms
are identical.
Figure 16.2 Sine Wave Showing Principles of Phase Control
Different loads respond to different characteristics of the AC
waveform. For example, some are sensitive to average voltage,
some to RMS voltage, and others to peak voltage. Various volt-
age characteristics are plotted against conduction angle for
half- and full-wave phase control circuits in Figures 16.3 and
16.4.
Figure 16.3 Half-Wave Phase Control (sinusoidal)
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
LINE
LOAD
TWO SCR AC CONTROL
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
TRIAC AC CONTROL
LINE LOAD
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
ONE SCR DC CONTROL
CONTROL
CIRCUIT
LINE LINE
LOAD
TWO SCR DC CONTROL
LOAD
FULL-WAVE RECTIFIED OPERATION
VOLTAGE APPLIED TO LOAD
DELAY (TRIGGERING) ANGLE
CONDUCTION ANGLE
PEAK VOLTAGE
RMS
AVG
POWER
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
CONDUCTION ANGLE ()
N
O
R
M
A
L
I
Z
E
D

S
I
N
E

W
A
V
E

R
M
S

V
O
L
T
A
G
E
P
O
W
E
R

A
S

F
R
A
C
T
I
O
N

O
F

F
U
L
L

C
O
N
D
U
C
T
I
O
N
HALF WAVE

AN1003
16-2 Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777
Figure 16.4 Symmetrical Full-Wave Phase Control (sinusoidal)
Figure 16.5 Output Voltage of Half-Wave Phase
Figures 16.5 and 16.6 give convenient direct output voltage read-
ings for 115V/230V input voltage. These curves also apply to cur-
rent in a resistive circuit.
Figures 16.3 and 16.4 show the relative power curve for constant
impedance loads such as heaters. The relative impedance of
incandescent lamps and motors changes with applied voltage, so
they do not follow this curve precisely. To use the curves, find the
full-wave rated power of the load, then multiply by the ratio asso-
ciated with the specific phase angle. Thus, a 180 conduction
angle in a half-wave circuit provides 0.5 x full-wave conduction
power.
Figure 16.6 Output Voltage of Full-Wave Phase Control
In a full-wave circuit, a conduction angle of 150 provides 97%
full power while a conduction angle of 30 provides only 3% of full
power control. Therefore, it is usually pointless to obtain conduc-
tion angles less than 30 or greater than 150.
Control Characteristics
A relaxation oscillator is the simplest and most common control
circuit for phase control. Figure 16.7 illustrates this circuit as it
would be used with a thyristor. The capacitor is charged through
the resistor from a voltage or current source until the breakover
voltage of the switching device is reached, then the switching
device changes to its on state, and the capacitor is discharged
through the thyristor gate, thus, turn-on of the thyristor is accom-
plished. Trigger devices used are neon bulbs, unijunction transis-
tors, and three-, four-, or five-layer semiconductor trigger
devices. By varying the RC time constant of the charging circuit
so the trigger device breakdown occurs at different phase angles
within the controlled half or full cycle, phase control of the output
waveform is obtained.
PEAK VOLTAGE
RMS
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
CONDUCTION ANGLE ()
N
O
R
M
A
L
I
Z
E
D

S
I
N
E

W
A
V
E

R
M
S

V
O
L
T
A
G
E
P
O
W
E
R

A
S

F
R
A
C
T
I
O
N

O
F

F
U
L
L

C
O
N
D
U
C
T
I
O
N
FULL WAVE
POWER
AVG

PEAK VOLTAGE
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
CONDUCTION ANGLE
RMS
AVG
O
U
T
P
U
T

V
O
L
T
A
G
E
360
320
280
240
200
160
120
80
40
0
INPUT
VOLTAGE
230V 115V
HALF WAVE

PEAK VOLTAGE
RMS
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
CONDUCTION ANGLE ()
AVG
O
U
T
P
U
T

V
O
L
T
A
G
E
360
320
280
240
200
160
120
80
40
0
INPUT
VOLTAGE
230V 115V
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
FULL WAVE

Phase Control Using Thyristors

Teccor Electronics 16-3
+1 972 580-7777
Figure 16.7 Relaxation Oscillator Thyristor Trigger Circuit
Figure 16.8 shows the capacitor voltage-time characteristic if the
relaxation oscillator is to be operated from a pure DC source.
Figure 16.8 Capacitor Charging from DC Source
Usually, the design starting point is the selection of a capacitance
value which will reliably trigger the thyristor when the capacitance
is discharged. Trigger devices and thyristor gate triggering char-
acteristics play a part in the selection. All the device characteris-
tics are not always completely specified in applications, so
experimental determination is sometimes needed.
When final selection of the capacitor is made, Figure 16.8 may
be used in determining the charging resistance needed to obtain
the desired control characteristics.
Many circuits begin each half-cycle with the capacitor voltage at
or near zero. However, most circuits leave a relatively large
residual voltage on the capacitor after discharge. Therefore, the
charging resistor must be determined on the basis of additional
charge necessary to raise the capacitor to trigger potential.
This procedure is best demonstrated with an example. Assume
that we want to trigger an S2010L SCR with a 32 volt trigger diac.
A 0.1F capacitor will supply the necessary SCR gate current
with the trigger diac. Assume a 50 volt DC power supply, 30 min-
imum conduction angle and 150 maximum conduction angle
with a 60 Hz input power source. At approximately 32 volts, the
diac triggers leaving 2/3 V
BO
of diac voltage on the capacitor. In
order for diac to trigger, 22 volts must be added to the capacitor
potential, and 40 volts additional (50-10) are available. The
capacitor must be charged to 22/40 or 0.55 of the available
charging voltage in the desired time. From Figure 16.8, 0.55 of
charging voltage represents 0.8 time constant. The 30 conduc-
tion angle required the firing pulse be delayed 150 or 6.92 milli-
seconds. (8.33 milliseconds is the period of 1/2 cycle at 60 Hz.)
To obtain this time delay,
6.92 ms = 0.8 RC
RC = 8.68 ms
if C = 0.10F
then, R = 8.68 x 10
-3
= 86,800 Ohms
0.1 x 10
-6
To obtain the minimum R (150 conduction angle), the delay is
30 or,
(30/180) x 8.33 = 1.39 ms
1.39 ms = 0.8 RC
RC = 1.74 ms
R = 1.74 x 10
-3
= 17,400 Ohms
0.10 x 10
-6
Using practical values, a 100K Ohm potentiometer with up to 17K
minimum (residual) resistance should be used. Similar calcula-
tions using conduction angles between the maximum and mini-
mum values will give control resistance versus power
characteristic of this circuit.
Triac Phase Control
The basic full-wave triac phase control circuit shown in Figure
16.9 requires only four components. Adjustable resistor R
1
and
C
1
are a single-element phase-shift network. When the voltage
across C
1
reaches breakover voltage, V
BO
, of the diac, C
1
is par-
tially discharged by the diac into the triac gate. The triac is then
triggered into the conduction mode for the remainder of that half-
cycle. In this circuit, triggering is in Quadrants I and III. The
unique simplicity of this circuit makes it suitable for many applica-
tions with small control range.
Figure 16.9 Basic Diac-Triac Phase Control
The hysteresis, or 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 intermediate level. The hysteresis effect in capacitor-diac
triggering is illustrated in Figure 16.10. As R
1
is brought down
from its maximum resistance, the voltage across the capacitor
increases until the diac first fires at point A, at the end of a half-
cycle (conduction angle qi). After the gate pulse, however, the
capacitor voltage drops suddenly to about half the triggering volt-
SWITCHING
DEVICE
VOLTAGE
OR
CURRENT
SOURCE
TRIAC
R
C
SCR
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
TIME CONSTANTS
R
A
T
I
O

O
F

(
C
a
p
a
c
i
t
o
r

V
o
l
t
a
g
e
S
u
p
p
l
y

S
o
u
r
c
e

V
o
l
t
a
g
e
)
LOAD
R
1
C
1
0.1F
DIAC
TRIAC
(Q2010L5) 250K
3.3K
R
2
120V
(60 Hz)
(For
Inductive
Loads)
100
0.1F
HT34B
16-4 Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777
age, giving the capacitor a different initial condition. The capaci-
tor charges to the diac triggering voltage at point B in the next
half-cycle, giving a steady state conduction angle shown as q for
the triac.
Figure 16.10 Relationship of AC Line Voltage and Triggering Voltage
In Figure 16.11, 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 voltage variations. When R
1

is large, C
1
is charged primarily through R
3
from the phase-
shifted voltage appearing across C
2
. This action provides addi-
tional range of phase-shift across C
1
and enables C2 to partially
recharge C
1
after the diac has triggered, thus reducing hystere-
sis. R
3
should be adjusted so that the circuit just drops out of
conduction when R
1
is brought to maximum resistance.
Figure 16.11 Extended Range Full Wave Phase Control
By using one of the circuits of Figure 16.12, the hysteresis effect
can be eliminated entirely. The circuit of (a) in Figure 16.12
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 only useful for resistive loads since the
firing angle is not symmetrical throughout the range. If symmetri-
cal firing is required, use the circuit of (b) in Figure 16.12.
Figure 16.12 Wide Range Hysteresis Free Phase Control
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 in Figure
16.13.
Figure 16.13 Precision Proportional Temperature Control
Several speed control and light dimming (phase) control circuits
have been presented that give details for a complete 120V appli-
cation circuit but none for 240V. The following provide some stan-
dard phase control circuits for 240V, 60Hz/50Hz operation along
with 120V values for comparison. Even though there is very little
difference, there are a few key things which must be remem-
bered. First, capacitors and triacs connected across the 240V
line must be rated at 400V. Secondly, the potentiometer (variable
resistor) value must change considerably to obtain the proper
timing or triggering for 180 in each half-cycle.
Figure 16.14 presents a simple single-time-constant light dimmer
(phase control) circuit giving values for both 120V and 240V
operation.
DIAC TRIGGERS
AT "A"
DIAC DOES NOT
TRIGGER AT "A"
B
A
AC LINE
CAPACITOR
VOLTAGE

i
[+DIAC V
BO
]
[DIAC V
BO
]

R
4
C
1
DIAC
TRIAC
(Q2010L5)
68K
3.3K
R
1
120V
(60 Hz)
0.1F
LOAD
R
2
250K
R
3
100K
TRIM
C
2
0.1F
HT34B
R
3
C
1
DIAC
TRIAC
(Q2010L5)
15K
1/2W
3.3K
R
1
120V
(60 Hz)
0.1F
LOAD
R
2
250K
D
1
D
2
D
1
, D
2 200V DIODES
(a)
(b)
C1
DIAC
TRIAC
(Q2010L5)
R
3
120V
(60 Hz)
LOAD
D1
0.1F
R
1 250K POT
D
3
R4
R1
D
4
R
2
D
2
R
2
, R
3 15K 1/2 W
R
4 3.3K
D
1
, D
2
, D
3
, D
4 200V DIODES
LOAD
120 VOLTS
(60 Hz)
R
2
R
6
R
7 R
3
R
5
R
4
R
8
D
2 D
1
D
6 D
3
R
1
D
5
TEMP
T
T
1
C
1
Q
1
D
4
Q2
TRIAC
"GAIN"
0
RAMP
TIME
COOL
HOT
UJT TRIGGERING LEVEL
PEDESTAL
UJT EMITTER VOLTAGE



R1, R2 = 2200 OHMS, 2 WATTS
R3 = 2200 OHMS, 1/2 W
R4 = THERMISTOR, APPROX. 5000W
AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE
R5 = 10,000 OHMS POTENTIOMETER
R6 = 5 MEGOHM POTENTIOMETER
R7 = 100kW, 1/2 W
R8 = 1000 OHMS, 1/2 W
Q1 = 2N2646
Q2 = Q2010L5
T1 = VISHAY DALE PT 10 - 101
OR EQUIVALENT
D1-4 = 200 V DIODE
D5 = 20 V ZENER
D6 = 100 V DIODE
C1 = 0.1mF, 30V
Phase Control Using Thyristors
Teccor Electronics 16-5
+1 972 580-7777
Figure 16.14 Single-Time-Constant Circuit for Incandescent Light
Dimming, Heat Control, and Motor Speed Control
Figure 16.15 Double-Time-Constant Circuit for Incandescent Light
Dimming, Heat Control, and Motor Speed Control
Figure 16.15 is a double-time-constant circuit which has
improved performance in comparison to Figure 16.14. This circuit
uses an additional RC network to extend the phase angle so that
the triac can be triggered at small conduction angles. The addi-
tional RC network also minimizes any hysteresis effect previously
explained and illustrated in Figures 16.10 and 16.11.
Permanent Magnet Motor Control
Figure 16.16 illustrates a circuit for phase controlling a perma-
nent magnet (PM) motor. Since PM motors are also generators,
they have characteristics making them difficult for a standard
triac to commutate properly. By using an alternistor triac with
enhanced comutating characteristics, control of a PM motor is
easily accomplished.
PM motors normally require full wave DC rectification, therefore,
the alternistor triac controller should be connected in series with
the AC input side of the rectifier bridge. The possible alternative
of putting an SCR controller in series with the motor on the DC
side of the rectifier bridge can be a challenge when it comes to
timing and delayed turn-on near the end of the half cycle. The alt-
enistor triac controller as shown in Figure16.16 offers a wide
range control so that the alternistror triac can be triggered at a
small conduction angles or low motor speed.
Rectifiers and alternistors in Figure 16.16 should have similar
voltage ratings with all based on line voltage and actual motor
load requirements.
Figure 16.16 Permanent Magnet Motor Control
SCR Phase Control
A very simple variable resistance half-wave circuit is shown in
Figure 16.17. It provides phase retard from essentially zero (SCR
full on) to 90 electrical degrees of the anode voltage wave (SCR
half on). Diode CR1 blocks reverse gate voltage on the nega-
tive half-cycle of anode supply voltage. This protects the reverse
gate junction of sensitive SCRs and keeps power dissipation low
for gate resistors on the negative half cycle. The diode is rated to
block at least the peak value of the AC supply voltage. The retard
angle cannot be extended beyond the 90 degree point because
the trigger circuit supply voltage and the trigger voltage produc-
ing the gate current to fire are in phase. At the peak of the AC
supply voltage, the SCR can still be triggered with the maximum
value of resistance between anode and gate. Since the SCR will
trigger and latch into conduction the first time IGT is reached, its
conduction cannot be delayed beyond 90 electrical degrees with this
circuit.
0.1 F 200V


0.1 F 400V

AC
Input
Voltage


120 VAC
60Hz

240 VAC
50/60Hz

AC
Load
Current


12A


3A

250K OHM


500K OHM

Q2015L9


Q4004L4

100 H


200 H

R1
Q1
L1 C1, C3
R1
R2
C1
HT-32
3.3k OHM
AC
INPUT
C2
D1
Q1
L1
R3
100
OHM
C3
LOAD
*
*
NOTE:
L1 AND C1
FORM AN RFI FILTER
THAT MAY BE ELIMINATED
*DV/DT
SNUBBER NETWORK
WHEN REQUIRED
0.1 F
100V
*
*
0.1 F 200V


0.1 F 400V


0.1 F 400V

AC
Input
Voltage


120 VAC
60Hz

240 VAC
50Hz

240 VAC
60Hz

AC
Load
Current


8A


6A


6A
250K OHM


500K OHM


500K OHM
Q2010L5


Q4008L4


Q4008L4
100 H


200 H


200 H

R2
Q1
L1 C1, C2, C4
R2
R1
C1
HT - 32
3.3K OHM
AC
INPUT
C2
D1
Q1
L1
R4
100
OHM
C4
NOTE:
L1 AND C1
FORM AN RFI FILTER
THAT MAY BE ELIMINATED
*DV/DT
SNUBBER NETWORK
WHEN REQUIRED
R3
0.1 F
100V


15k
1/2W
C3
LOAD
DC
MTR
115 VAC
INPUT
1.5 Amp
3.3K
250K
15K 1/2W
0.1F
100V
HT-32
Q4006LH4
100
0.1F
100V
0.1F
400V
G
MT1
MT2
+
-
16-6 Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777
Figure 16.17 Half-Wave Control, 0-90 Conduction
Figure 16.18 is a half-wave phase control circuit using an SCR
for controlling a universal motor. This circuit is better than simple
resistance firing circuits because the phase-shifting characteris-
tics of the RC network permit the firing of the SCR beyond the
peak of the impressed voltage, resulting in small conduction
angles and very slow speed.
Figure 16.18 Half-Wave Motor Control
Phase Control From Logic (DC) Inputs
Triacs can also be phase controlled from pulsed DC unidirec-
tional inputs such as produced by a digital logic control system.
Therefore, a microprocessor can be interfaced to AC load by
using a sensitive gate triac to control a lamp's intensity or a
motor's speed.
There are two ways to interface the unidirectional logic pulse to
control a triac. Figure 16.19 presents one easy way if load cur-
rent is approximately 5 amps or less. The sensitive gate triac
serves as a direct power switch controlled by HTL, TTL, CMOS,
or integrated circuit operational amplifier. A timed pulse from the
system's logic can activate the triac anywhere in the AC sine-
wave producing a phase controlled load.
The key to DC pulse control is correct grounding for DC and AC
supply. As shown in Figure 16.19, DC ground and AC ground/
neutral must be common plus MT1 must be connected to
common ground. MT1 of the triac is the return for both main ter-
minal junctions as well as the gate junction.
Figure 16.19 Sensitive Gate Triac Operating in Quadrants I and IV
Figure 16.20 is an example of a unidirectional (all negative) pulse
furnished from a special I.C. that is available from LSI Computer
Systems in Melville, New York. Even though the circuit and load
R
1
AC
INPUT
SCR
1
2.2K OHM
R
3
R
2
CR
1
LOAD
IN4003
IN4003
IN4004
IN4004
IN4004
AC
Input
Voltage
120 VAC
60Hz
120 VAC
60Hz
240 VAC
60Hz
240 VAC
60Hz
240 VAC
50Hz
AC
Load
Current
0.8A
8.5A
0.8A
8.5A
2.5A
500K OHM
100K OHM
1MEG OHM
250K OHM
1MEG OHM
1K
Not
Required
1K
Not
Required
1K
EC103B
S2010F1
EC103D
S4010F1
T106D1
R
2 R
3
SCR
1
CR
1
M
R
1
R
2
C
1
D
1
SCR
1
HT-32
3.3K OHM
AC
SUPPLY
UNIVERSAL MOTOR
CR
1
AC
Input
Voltage
120 VAC
60Hz
240 VAC
60Hz
240 VAC
50Hz
AC
Load
Current
8A
6.5A
6.5A
150K
200K
200K
IN4003
IN4004
IN4004
S2015L
S4008L
S4008L
0.1F 200V
0.1F 400V
0.1F 400V
R
2
CR
1
SCR
1
C
1
LOAD
MT
2
SENSITIVE GATE
TRIAC
MT
1
8
16
G
V
DD
OV
HOT
NEUTRAL
120V
60Hz
V
DD
= 15V
DC
Phase Control Using Thyristors
Teccor Electronics 16-7
+1 972 580-7777
is shown to control a Halogen lamp, it could be applied to a com-
mon incandescent lamp for touch controlled dimming.
Figure 16.20 Typical Touch Plate Halogen Lamp Dimmer
For a circuit controlling heavy duty inductive loads where an
Alternistor is not compatible or available. Figure 16.21 illustrates
how two SCRs can be driven by an inexpensive TO-92 Triac to
make a very high current Triac or Alternistor equivalent. See
Example 3: Relationship of I
AV
, I
RMS
, and I
PK
in AN1009 for
design calculations.
Figure 16.21 Triac Driving Two Inverse Parallel Non-Sensitive Gate
SCRs
Another way to interface a unidirectional pulse signal and acti-
vate AC loads at various points in the AC sine wave is shown in
Figure 16.22. This circuit has an electrically-isolated input which
allows load placement, with respect to AC line, to be flexible. In
other words, DC ground and AC neutral are not required to be
connected.
Figure 16.22 Optoisolator Driving a Triac or Alternistor
Microcontroller Phase Control
Traditionally microcontrollers were too large and expensive to be
used in small consumer applications such as a light dimmer.
Microchip Technology Inc. of Chandler Arizona has developed a
line of 8 pin microcontrollers without sacrificing functionality of
their larger counterparts. These devices do not provide high drive
outputs, but when combined with a sensitive triac can be used in
a cost effective light dimmer.
Figure 16.24 illustrates a simple circuit using a transformerless
power supply, PIC 12C508 microcontroller, and a sensitive triac
configured to provide a light dimmer control. R3 is connected to
the "hot" lead of the AC power line and to pin GP4. The ESD pro-
tection diodes of the input structure allow this connection without
damage. When the voltage on the AC power line is positive, the
protection diode form the input to Vdd is forward biased, and the
input buffer will see approximately Vdd+0.7 volts. The software
will read this pin as high. When the voltage on the line is nega-
tive, the protection diode from Vss to the input pin is forward
biased, and the input buffer sees approximately Vss-0.7 volts.
The software will read the pin as low. By polling GP4 for a
change in state, the software can detect zero crossing.
With a zero crossing state detected, software can be written to
turn on the triac by going from tristate to a logic high on the gate
and be synchronized with the AC phase cycles (QI & QIV.). Using
pull down switches connected to the microcontoller inputs, the
user can signal the software to adjust the duty cycle of the triac.
For higher amperage loads, a small 0.8A, TO-92 triac (operating
in QI and QIV) can be used to drive 25A alternistor triac (operat-
ing in QI and QIII) as shown in the heater control, Figure 16.23.
For a complete listing of the software used to control this circuit
see the Microchip application note PICREF-4. This application
note can be downloaded from Micochip's Web site www.micro-
chip.com.
TOUCH
PLATE
115 VAC
220 VAC
HALOGEN
LAMP
N
L
LS7631 / LS7632
VDD MODE CAP SYNC
TRIG VSS EXT SENS
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8
MT1
MT2
C1
C
5
L
T
G
Z
R
3
C
2
R
1
R
2
C
3
C
4
R
4
R
5
R
6
D
1
+
NOTE - As a precaution,
transformer should have
thermal protection.
C1 = 0.15F, 200V
C2 = 0.22F, 200V
C3 = .02F, 12V
C4 = .002F, 12V
C5 = 100F, 12V
R1 = 270 Ohms, W
R2 = 680K, W
C1 = 0.15F, 400V
C2 = 0.1F, 400V
C3 = .02F, 12V
C4 = .002F, 12V
C5 = 100F, 12V
R1 = 1K Ohms, W
R2 = 1.5M, W
R3 = 62 Ohms, W
R4 = 1M to 5Meg, W
(Selected for sensitivity)
R5, R6 = 4.7M, W
D1 = 1N4148
Z = 5.6V, 1W Zener
T = Q4006LH4 Alternistor
L = 100H (RFI Filter)
R3 = 62 Ohms, W
R4 = 1M to 5Meg, W
(Selected for sensitivity)
R5, R6 = 4.7M, W
D1 = 1N4148
Z = 5.6V, 1W Zener
T = Q6006LH4 Alternistor
L = 200H (RFI Filter)
115VAC 220VAC
OR
LOAD
MT
2
HOT
NEUTRAL
A
K
G
A
K G
MT
1
G
TRIAC
GATE PULSE
INPUT
NON SENSITIVE
GATE SCRS
1
2
6
4
100 100
0.1F
250V
TIMED
INPUT
PULSE
R
in
C1
MT
2
MT
1
HOT
120V
60Hz
TRIAC OR
ALTERNISTOR
NEUTRAL
LOAD COULD BE HERE
INSTEAD OF UPPER LOCATION
G
LOAD
16-8 Teccor Electronics
+1 972 580-7777
Summary
Note that the load currents that were chosen were strictly arbi-
trary and that the component values will be the same regardless
of load current except for the power triac or SCR. The voltage
rating of the power thyristor devices must be a minimum of 200V
for 120V input voltage and 400V for 240V input voltage.
Also, note that the use of alternistors instead of triacs may be
much more acceptable in higher current applications and may
eliminate the need for any dv/dt snubber network.
For many electrical products in the consumer market, automatic
control is a possibility with competitive thyristor prices and simpli-
fied circuits. These simple circuits give the designer a good feel
for the nature of thyristor circuits and their design. More sophisti-
cation, such as speed and temperature feedback, can be devel-
oped as the control techniques become more familiar. A
remarkable phenomenon is the degree of control obtainable with
very simple circuits using thyristors. As a result, industrial and
consumer products will greatly benefit both in usability and mar-
ketability.
120VAC
(HIGH)
AC
(RETURN)
WHITE
RV1
VARISTOR
R1
47
C3
.1F
+5V
R2
1M
2000 W
D1
1N4001
D1
1N4001
R3
20M
D3
1N5231
C1
220F
C2
.01F
VDD
GP5
GP4
GP3
VSS
GP0
GP1
GP2
R6
470
R70
100
Q1
L4X8E5
Q2
Q4025L6
R4
470
R5
470 S2
S1
INCREASE HEAT
DECREASE HEAT
VDD
U1
12C508
120VAC
(HIGH)
AC
(RETURN)
WHITE
RV1
VARISTOR
R1
47
C3
.1mF
+5V
R2
1M D1
1N4001
D1
1N4001
R3
20M
D3
1N5231
C1
220mF
C2
.01mF
VDD
GP5
GP4
GP3
VSS
GP0
GP1
GP2
R6
470W
Q1
L4008L5
R4
470W
R5
470W S2
S1
BRIGHT
DIM
VDD
150W
LAMP
JP1
REMOTE
SWITCH
CONNECTOR
1
2
3
U1
12C508
Figure 16.23 Microcontroller heater control
Figure 16.24 Microcontroller light dimmer control