
AN1002
Application Notes
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AN1002 - 2
2002 Teccor Electronics
Thyristor Product Catalog
Triacs can be gated on in one of four basic gating modes as 
shown in Figure AN1002.3. The most common quadrants for 
gating on triacs are Quadrants I and III, where the gate supply is 
synchronized with the main terminal supply (gate positive — MT2 
positive, gate negative — MT2 negative). Optimum triac gate 
sensitivity is achieved when operating in Quadrants I and III due 
to the inherent thyristor chip construction. If Quadrants I and III 
cannot be used, the next best operating modes are Quadrants II 
and III where the gate supply has a negative polarity with an AC 
main terminal supply. Typically, Quadrant II is approximately 
equal in gate sensitivity to Quadrant I; however, latching current 
sensitivity in Quadrant II is lowest. Therefore, it is difficult for 
triacs to latch on in Quadrant II when the main terminal current 
supply is very low in value.
Special consideration should be given to gating circuit design 
when Quadrants I and IV are used in actual application, because 
Quadrant IV has the lowest gate sensitivity of all four operating 
quadrants.
Figure AN1002.3
Definition of Operating Quadrants in Triacs
The following table shows the relationships between different 
gating modes in current required to gate on triacs.
Example of 4 A triac:
If I
GT
(I) = 10 mA, then
 I
GT
(II) = 16 mA
 I
GT
(III) = 25 mA
 I
GT
(IV) = 27 mA
Gate trigger current is temperature-dependent as shown in 
Figure AN1002.4. Thyristors become less sensitive with 
decreasing temperature and more sensitive with increasing 
temperature.
Figure AN1002.4
Typical DC Gate Trigger Current versus Case 
Temperature 
For applications where low temperatures are expected, gate cur-
rent supply should be increased to at least two to eight times the 
gate trigger current requirements at 25
°
C. The actual factor var-
ies by thyristor type and the environmental temperature.
Example of a 10 A triac:
If I
GT
(I) = 10 mA at 25 °C, then
 I
GT
(I) = 20 mA at -40 °C
In applications where high di/dt, high surge, and fast turn-on are 
expected, gate drive current should be steep rising (1 μs rise 
time) and at least twice rated I
GT
 or higher with minimum 3 μs 
pulse duration. However, if gate drive current magnitude is very 
high, then duration may have to be limited to keep from over-
stressing (exceeding the power dissipation limit of) gate junction.
Latching Current of SCRs and Triacs
Latching current (I
) is the minimum principal current required to 
maintain the thyristor in the on state immediately after the switch-
ing from off state to on state has occurred and the triggering sig-
nal has been removed. Latching current can best be understood 
by relating to the “pick-up” or “pull-in” level of a mechanical relay. 
Figure AN1002.5 and Figure AN1002.6 illustrate typical thyristor 
latching phenomenon.
In the illustrations in Figure AN1002.5, the thyristor does not stay 
on after gate drive is removed due to insufficient available princi-
pal current (which is lower than the latching current requirement).
Figure AN1002.5
Latching Characteristic of Thyristor (Device Not 
Latched)
In the illustration in Figure AN1002.6 the device stays on for the 
remainder of the half cycle until the principal current falls below 
the holding current level. Figure AN1002.5 shows the character-
istics of the same device if gate drive is removed or shortened 
before latching current requirement has been met.
Typical Ratio of 
 at 25 °C
Type
4 A Triac
10 A Triac
Operating Mode
Quadrant II
1.6
Quadrant I
1
Quadrant III
2.5
Quadrant IV
2.7
1
1.5
1.4
3.1
MT2 POSITIVE
(Positive Half Cycle)
MT2 NEGATIVE
(Negative Half Cycle)
MT1
MT2
+
  I
GT
REF
QII   
QIII
MT1
I
GATE
MT2
REF
MT1
MT2
REF
MT1
MT2
REF
QI
QIV 
 ALL POLARITIES ARE REFERENCED TO MT1
(
-
)
I
GATE
(+)
I
GT
-
I
GATE
(
-
)
I
GATE
(+)
NOTE: Alternistors will not operate in Q IV
)
)
IGTIGTQuadrant 1
2.0
1.5
1.0
.5
0
-40
-15
+25
+65
+100
Case Temperature (TC) – C
R
I
I
Gate Pulse
(Gate Drive to Thyristor)
Principal
Current
Through
Thyristor
Latching
Current
Requirement
Time
Zero
Crossing Point
Time