DIAC Characteristic Trainer

NV6531

Learning Material
Ver 1.1

141-B, Electronic Complex,

Pardeshipura, Indore- 452 010 India
Tel.: 91-731- 4211500
Toll-free:1800-103-5050
Email: info@nvistech.com
Website: www.nvistech.com
NV6531

DIAC Characteristic Trainer

NV6531
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3

2. Features 4

3. Technical Specifications 5

4. Theory 6

5. Experiment 9
To study the VI Characteristic of DIAC with positive biasing and plot the
curve between V & I.
6. Warranty 13

7. List of Accessories 14

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Introduction
“NV6531 DIAC Characteristic Trainer” is remarkable and frequently used laboratory
equipment which is designed to explain basic fundamentals of DIAC and their
working. Using this Trainer student can understand the basic concept of DIAC which
is a basic part of Power Electronics. A VI Characteristic can be drawn by the student
which helps students to understand the behaviour of DIAC.

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Features
A low cost trainer demonstrating VI Characteristic of DIAC.
Exclusive presentation and easy illustration.
Provided with inbuilt Power supply of +35V & -35V.
DPM Based Highly preceised Voltmeter & Ammeter.
Learning Material CD
2 year warranty

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Technical Specification

Mains Supply : 230 V AC ±10%, 50 Hz

Power Supply Output : +35V DC (250 mA)

-35V DC (250 mA)

Voltmeter : 0-35V (max.)

Ammeter : 0-50mA (max.)

Dimensions (mm) : 345×240×110

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Theory
Power Electronics:
Introduction:
Power electronic converters can be found wherever there is a need to modify the
electrical energy form (i.e modify its voltage, current or frequency). Therefore, their
power range from some milliwatts (as in a mobile phone) to hundreds of megawatts
(e.g in a HVDC transmission system). With "classical" electronics, electrical currents
and voltage are used to carry information, whereas with power electronics, they carry
power.
The first very high power electronic devices were mercury arc valves. In modern
systems the conversion is performed with semiconductor switching devices such as
diodes, thyristors and transistors. In contrast to electronic systems concerned with
transmission and processing of signals and data, in power electronics substantial
amounts of electrical energy are processed. An AC/DC converter (rectifier) is the
most typical power electronics device found in many consumer electronic devices,
e.g., television sets, personal computers, battery chargers, etc. The power range is
typically from tens of watts to several hundred watts. In industry the most common
application is the variable speed drive (VSD) that is used to control an induction
motor. The power range of VSDs start from a few hundred watts and end at tens of
megawatts.
The power conversion systems can be classified according to the type of the input and
output power
AC to DC (rectification)
DC to AC (inversion)
DC to DC (chopping)
AC to AC

Principle:
As efficiency is at a premium in a power electronic converter, the losses that a power
electronic device generates should be as low as possible. The instantaneous dissipated
power of a device is equal to the product of the voltage across the device and the
current through it (P = VI). From this, one can see that the losses of a power device
are at a minimum when the voltage across it is zero (the device is in the On-State) or
when no current flows through it (Off-State). Therefore, a power electronic converter
is built around one (or more) device operating in switching mode (either On or Off).
With such a structure, the energy is transferred from the input of the converter to its
output by bursts.

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Applications:
Power electronic systems are virtually in every electronic device. For example,
around us:
DC/DC converters are used in most mobile devices (mobile phone, pda.) to
maintain the voltage at a fixed value whatever the charge level of the battery
is. These converters are also used for electronic isolation and power factor
correction.
AC/DC converters (rectifiers) are used every time an electronic device is
connected to the mains (computer, television,...)
AC/AC converters are used to change either the voltage level or the frequency
(international power adapters, light dimmer). In power distribution networks
AC/AC converters may be used to exchange power between utility frequency
50 Hz and 60 Hz power grids.
DC/AC converters (inverters) are used primarily in UPS or emergency light.
During normal electricity condition, the electricity will charge the DC battery.
During blackout time, the DC battery will be used to produce AC electricity at
its output to power up the appliances.
DIAC
The DIAC, or diode for alternating current, is a trigger diode that conducts current
only after its breakdown voltage has been exceeded momentarily. When this occurs,
the resistance of the diode abruptly decreases, leading to a sharp decrease in the
voltage drop across the diode and, usually, a sharp increase in current flow through
the diode. The diode remains "in conduction" until the current flow through it drops
below a value characteristic for the device, called the holding current. Below this
value, the diode switches back to its high-resistance (non-conducting) state. This
behavior is bidirectional, meaning typically the same for both directions of current
flow.
Most DIACs have a breakdown voltage around 30 V. In this way, their behavior is
somewhat similar to (but much more precisely controlled and taking place at lower
voltages than) a neon lamp.
DIACs have no gate electrode, unlike some other thyristors they are commonly used
to trigger, such as TRIACs. Some TRIACs contain a built-in DIAC in series with the
TRIAC's "gate" terminal for this purpose.
DIACs are also called symmetrical trigger diodes due to the symmetry of their
characteristic curve. Because DIACs are bidirectional devices, their terminals are not
labeled as anode and cathode but as A1 and A2 or MT1 ("Main Terminal") and MT2.

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Symbol of DIAC:
The basic arrangement of the semiconductor layers of the DIAC is shown in figure

Figure 1
where:
T1 : Main Terminal 1
T2 : Main Terminal 2
DIAC is basically a two terminal parallel inverse combination of semiconductor layer
that permits triggering in either direction. The characteristic of the device clearly
demonstrated that there is breakdown voltage in either direction.

DIAC Characteristics:

Figure 2

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Experiment
Objective :
To study the VI Characteristic of DIAC with positive biasing and plot the curve
between V & I.
Apparatus Required :
1. NV6531 DIAC Characteristic Trainer
2. 2mm Patch Cord
Circuit Diagram:

Figure 3
Procedure:
Positive Biasing:
1. Make the connections as shown in the above figure.
2. Connect the +35V DC supply to the circuit by connecting the point 1 with
point 4 with the help of patch cord.
3. Rotate the potentiometer P1 in fully anti-clock wise direction.
4. Now connect point 2 with point 8 to make the grounds common.

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5. Connect the voltmeter across the DIAC. For that connect the +Ve terminal of
Voltmeter with the point 7 and connect the -Ve terminal of the voltmeter with
the point 8.
6. Now connect the Ammeter in the circuit for that connect the +Ve terminal of
the ammeter to the point 5 and connect the -Ve terminal of the Ammeter to the
point 6.
7. Connect the mains cord to the trainer & switch ‘On’ the supply.
8. Here you will observe that there is no current flow in the circuit and as well as
no voltage across the DIAC.
9. Increase the voltage across the DIAC in steps of 1V by rotating the potentiometer
P1 in clockwise direction and note down the readings for Voltage and Current in
the following table.
10. Now plot the VI curve for taken readings.

Observation Table 1:

Serial Number DIACE DIACE DIACE DIACE

Voltage Va Current Ia Voltage -Va Current Ia

10

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Negative Biasing:
10. Now connect the -35V DC supply to the circuit by connecting the point 3
with point 4 with the help of patch cord.
11. Repeat the process from step 3 to step 9.
12. Now plot the VI curve for taken readings.

Result Analysis:

VI Characteristic with Positive Biasing

Sr.No. DAIC Voltage DIAC Current 28 27 0

Va (in Volt) Ia (in mA) 29 28 0
1 0 0 30 29 0
2 1 0 31 30 0
3 2 0 32 30.9 0
4 3 0 33 20.6 6.78
5 4 0 34 20.1 10.42
6 5 0 35 19.9 13.64
7 6 0 36 19.7 15.41
8 7 0
9 8 0
10 9 0
11 10 0
12 11 0
13 12 0
14 13 0
15 14 0
16 15 0
17 16 0
18 17 0
19 18 0
20 19 0
21 20 0
22 21 0
23 22 0
24 23 0
25 24 0
26 25 0
27 26 0

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VI Characteristic with Negative Biasing

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Warranty

1. We guarantee the instrument against all manufacturing defects during 24

months from the date of sale by us or through our dealers.
2. The guarantee covers manufacturing defects in respect of indigenous
components and material limited to the warranty extended to us by the original
manufacturer and defect will be rectified as far as lies within our control.
3. The guarantee will become INVALID.

a. If the instrument is not operated as per instruction given in the learning

material.
b. If the agreed payment terms and other conditions of sale are not followed.
c. If the customer resells the instrument to another party.
d. Provided no attempt have been made to service and modify the instrument.

4. The non-working of the instrument is to be communicated to us immediately

giving full details of the complaints and defects noticed specifically
mentioning the type and sr. no. of the
5. instrument, date of purchase etc.
6. The repair work will be carried out, provided the instrument is dispatched
securely packed and insured with the railways. To and fro charges will be to
the account of the customer.

DISPATCH PROCEDURE FOR SERVICE

Should it become necessary to send back the instrument to factory please observe the
following procedure.

1. Before dispatching the instrument please write to us giving full details of the
fault noticed.
2. After receipt of your letter our repairs dept. will advise you whether it is
necessary to send the instrument back to us for repairs or the adjustment is
possible in your premises.

Dispatch the instrument (only on the receipt of our advice) securely packed in original
packing duly insured and freight paid along with accessories and a copy of the details
noticed to us at our factory address.

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List of Accessories

1. Mains Cord……………………………………………………………...1 No.

2. 2mm Patch Cords 12”………………………………………………….10 Nos.

3. Learning Material CD………………………………………………….1 No.

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