TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Manila
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Electronics Engineering Department

Laboratory Exercise No. 2

TRIAC and DIAC AC Power Control Circuit

Submitted By:

SUBA, Kyla Mae F.

BS ECE 3D

Submitted To:

Engr. Mark P.
Melegrito

September 14, 2023

st
1 Semester, S.Y. 2023-2024
 Experiment 2: TRIAC and DIAC AC
Power Control Circuit

Introduction:
The Triac acts like two SCRs in parallel. It allows current to pass in both directions and
is therefore bilateral. A forward bias is required to trigger the triac, and like the SCR, the triac
is often used in industrial applications where control of high current demand loads is
common.
In this experiment you will see the basic operation of the Triac and characteristics, then
simulate basic phase control circuit application combined with a Diac.

Summary of Theories:

Source: Industrial Control Electronics (Bartelt, Terry L.M.)

Modes of Triggering a Triac:

Source: Industrial Control Electronics (Bartelt, Terry L.M.)

 Figure 3.20(a) Basic Phase Control Circuit
Source: Industrial Control Electronics (Bartelt, Terry L.M.)

Learning Objectives:

After successful completion of this experiment, students should be able to:

● Understand the basic operational characteristics of a Triac.

● Learn about Triac operation in a basic phase control circuit.

Equipment and Materials:

***For this specific activity, the Multisim software will be utilized. Make sure that this
application is already installed in your PC or gadget. If not, find a way to have it installed.
● AC power supply
● Oscilloscope
● Triac
● Diac
● Resistors
● Potentiometer
● Capacitor
Procedures:
1. Construct the circuit of Figure 3.20(a) Basic Phase Control Circuit. Replace the Motor load
with an incandescent light bulb. This light bulb will act as the load of the circuit. Component
values will be based on your own design of the circuit.

Source: Industrial Control Electronics (Bartelt, Terry L.M.)

Table 3.20(a) Components Legend

Vs AC Supply

R1 Resistor 1

R2 Variable Resistor 2

TP1 Diac

TP2 Triac

C1 Capacitor

Incandescent Light Load

Bulb (motor
replacement)

2. Set R2 to minimum resistance value and connect the oscilloscope across the load
(Incandescent Light Bulb) to measure the waveform. Sketch the waveform and its peak
values.

3. Repeat procedure 2, set R2 to half resistance value and connect the oscilloscope across
the load (Incandescent Light Bulb) to measure the waveform. Sketch the waveform and its
peak values.

4. Repeat procedure 2, this time set R2 to maximum resistance value and connect the
oscilloscope across the load (Incandescent Light Bulb) to measure the waveform. Sketch
the waveform and its peak values.
5. Repeat procedures 2,3 and 4 but this time connect the oscilloscope probes across the
terminals of the Triac (TP2). Sketch waveforms and its peak values.

6. Repeat procedures 2,3 and 4 this time connect the oscilloscope probes across the
terminals of Diac (TP1). Sketch waveforms and its peak values.

Simulation Environment:

1. Attach Pictures of working circuitries

a. Procedures 2,3,4

Figure 1.1 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 100m ohms.

Figure 1.2 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 500 ohms.

Figure 1.3 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 1K ohms.

 b. Procedure 5

Figure 1.4 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of (100m ohms) while connecting
oscilloscope probes to Triac terminals (TP2).

Figure 1.5 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 1K ohms. (500 ohms) while
connecting oscilloscope probes to Triac terminals (TP2)
Figure 1.6 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 1K ohms.while connecting
oscilloscope probes to Triac terminals (TP2).

c. Procedure 6

Figure 1.7 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 100 ohms while connecting
oscilloscope probes across the terminals of Diac (TP1).
Figure 1.8 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 500 ohms while connecting
oscilloscope probes across the terminals of Diac (TP1).

Figure 1.9 R2 circuits to its maximum resistance value of 1K ohms while connecting
oscilloscope probes across the terminals of Diac (TP1).
 2. Attach Pictures of output graph

a. Procedures 2,3,4

Figure 2.0 Waveform and its peak values when R2 is set to minimum resistance value of
100m ohms.

Figure 2.1 Waveform and its peak values when R2 is set to minimum resistance value of
500 ohms.
Figure 2.2 W Waveform and its peak values when R2 is set to minimum resistance value
of 1k ohms.

b. Procedure 5

Figure 2.3 Waveform and peak values when R2 is set to 100m ohms with oscilloscope
probes connected to Triac terminals(TP2).
 Figure 2.4 Waveform and peak values while setting R2 to 500 ohms with oscilloscope
probes connected to Triac terminals(TP2).

Figure 2.5 Waveform and peak values while setting R2 to 1K ohms with oscilloscope probes
connected to Triac terminals (TP2).
 c. Procedure 6

Figure 2.6. Waveform and peak values while setting R2 to 100m ohms with oscilloscope
probes connected to Diac terminals(TP1).

Figure 2.7. Waveform and peak values while setting R2 to 500 ohms with oscilloscope
probes connected to Diac terminals (TP1).
 Figure 2.8. Waveform and peak values while setting R2 to 1K ohms with oscilloscope
probes connected to Diac terminals(TP1).

Questions to answer:

1. In your own words, describe the circuit operation of figure 3.20(a). How does it
operate?
2. What will happen to the load output if R2 is varied? Explain your answer.
3. If the value of the capacitance (C1) is varied, what happens to the load output?
Explain your answer.

Answers:

1. This circuit employs a combination of a Diac, Triac, resistor, and capacitor to precisely regulate the
brightness of a light bulb by controlling the timing of Triac conduction within each AC cycle. The RC
network introduces a controlled delay in Diac triggering, and once the capacitor voltage hits a specific
threshold, it triggers the Triac, thereby illuminating the bulb. The ability to adjust the values of the
resistor and capacitor allows for fine-grained control over the bulb's brightness.

2. Changing R2's value in this circuit affects how long the Triac conducts in each AC cycle. Increasing
R2 dims the load (like a light bulb) by reducing power, while decreasing R2 makes the load brighter or
hotter. So, R2 directly controls load brightness or power in this dimmer circuit.

3. Changing the capacitance (C1) in the circuit impacts how it operates and the load's performance. C1
is vital in the RC network controlling Diac triggering. Increasing C1 delays Triac activation, resulting in
dimmer output, while decreasing C1 speeds it up for brighter output. In short, C1 affects when the
Triac turns on, thus changing the load's brightness: more C1 dims, less C1 brightens.
Reflections:

In this laboratory experiment, I used multisim simulation software to learn about the Triac's role in a phase
control circuit. The Triac is a bidirectional semiconductor switch for managing alternating current (AC)
power. I observed how it conducts in both directions once triggered. Adjusting external components like
resistors and capacitors allowed me to control the Triac's conduction timing, which in turn regulated power
to a load, like a light bulb. Overall, this experiment enhanced our understanding of Triac functionality in
phase control circuits, valuable for precise control in lighting, heating, and motors in various settings.

Compiled and submitted by:

Kyla Mae F. Suba

Engr. Mark P. Melegrito

Faculty