
Application Notes
AN1003
2002 Teccor Electronics
Thyristor Product Catalog
AN1003 - 7
http://www.teccor.com
+1 972-580-7777
Phase Control from Logic (DC) Inputs
Triacs can also be phase-controlled from pulsed DC unidirec-
tional inputs such as those 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 AN1003.19 illustrates one easy way if load 
current is approximately 5 A 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. 
Figure AN1003.19
Sensitive Gate Triac Operating in
Quadrants I and IV
The key to DC pulse control is correct grounding for DC and AC 
supply. As shown in Figure AN1003.19, 
DC ground and AC 
ground/neutral must be common
 plus 
MT1 must be con-
nected to common ground
. MT1 of the triac is the return for 
both main terminal junctions as well as the gate junction.
Figure AN1003.20 shows an example of a unidirectional (all neg-
ative) pulse furnished from a special I.C. that is available from 
LSI Computer Systems in Melville, New York. Even though the 
circuit and load is shown to control a Halogen lamp, it could be 
applied to a common incandescent lamp for touch-controlled 
dimming.
Figure AN1003.20
Typical Touch Plate Halogen Lamp Dimmer
For a circuit to control a heavy-duty inductive load where an 
alternistor is not compatible or available, two SCRs can be driven 
by an inexpensive TO-92 triac to make a very high current triac or 
alternistor equivalent, as shown in Figure AN1003.21. See ”Rela-
tionship of IAV, IRMS, and IPK’  in AN1009 for design calcula-
tions.
Figure AN1003.21
Triac Driving Two Inverse Parallel Non-Sensitive
Gate SCRs
Figure AN1003.22 shows another way to interface a unidirec-
tional pulse signal and activate AC loads at various points in the 
AC sine wave. This circuit has an electrically-isolated input which 
allows load placement to be flexible with respect to AC line. In 
other words, connection between DC ground and AC neutral is 
not required.
Figure AN1003.22
Opto-isolator 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 the 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 AN1003.23 illustrates a simple circuit using a transformer-
less power supply, PIC 12C508 microcontroller, and a sensitive 
triac configured to provide a light dimmer control. R
3
 is connected 
to the hot lead of the AC power line and to pin GP
4
. 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 V
DD
 is forward biased, and the 
input buffer will see approximately V
+ 0.7 V. The software will 
read this pin as high. When the voltage on the line is negative, 
the protection diode from V
SS
 to the input pin is forward biased, 
and the input buffer sees approximately V
- 0.7 V. The software 
will read the pin as low. By polling GP
4
 for a change in state, the 
software can detect zero crossing.
Load
MT2
Sensitive Gate
Triac
MT1
8
16
G
VDD
OV
Hot
Neutral
120 V
60 Hz
VDD = 15 VDC
Touch
Plate
115 V ac
220 V ac
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
C5
L
T
G
Z
R3
C2
R1
R2
C3
C4
R4
R5
R6
D1
+
NOTE:  As a precaution,
transformer should have
thermal protection.
C1 = 0.15 μF, 200 V
C3 = 0.02 μF, 12 V
R1 = 270,  W
C1 = 0.15 μF, 400 V
C3 = 0.02 μF, 12 V
R1 = 1 k,  W
R3 = 62,  W
R5, R6 = 4.7 M,  W
T = Q4006LH4 Alternistor
L = 100 μH (RFI Filter)
R3 = 62,  W
R5, R6 = 4.7 M,  W
T = Q6006LH4 Alternistor
L = 200 μH (RFI Filter)
115 V ac
220 V ac
OR
Load
MT2
Hot
Neutral
A
K
G
A
K
G
MT1
G
Triac
Gate Pulse
Input
Non-sensitive
Gate SCRs
1
2
6
4
100
100
0.1 
μ
F
250 V
Timed
Input
Pulse
Rin
C1
MT2
MT1
Hot
120 V
60 Hz
Triac or
Alternistor
Neutral
Load could be here
instead of upper location
G
Load