EXPERIMENT NUMBER: 2

Date of Performance:

Date of Submission :

Aim: To study and plot V-I characteristics of TRIAC.

Apparatus:
1. TRIAC (BT136)
2. Two Power Supplies (0 - 65 V and 0 - 5 V)
3. One Voltmeter (0 – 50 V)
4. Two milliAmmeters (0 - 25 mA and 0 – 500 mA)
5. Two Resistors
6. Multimeter
7. Connecting Wires

Theory:

TRIAC is three terminal bi-directional high power device. It is ideal for operation utilizing AC
power for switching purposes since it can control current flow for both halves in an alternating
current cycle. Conduction takes place in both directions i.e. from MT 1 to MT2 or MT2 to MT1.
Gate terminal is towards MT1. In operation, TRAIC is equivalent to two SCR’s connected in anti
parallel. The layer diagram symbolic representation of TRIAC is as shown VI characteristic of
SCR and TRIAC are similar. The only difference is that VI characteristics are symmetrical in
TRIAC.
TRIAC can be conducted in four modes;

+ MT2 is positive with respect to MT1 and gate is made positive w. r. t. MT1
I Mode
- MT2 is positive with respect to MT1 and gate is made negative w. r. t. MT1
I Mode
+ MT2 is negative with respect to MT1 and gate is made positive w. r. t. MT1
III Mode
- MT2 is negative with respect to MT1 and gate is made negative w. r. t. MT1
III Mode

Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in circuit diagram.

2. Make the connections for I + mode.
3. Keep the gate current constant and note down the voltmeter and ammeter
reading.
4. Now make the connections in III – mode.
5. Keep gate current constant and note down the voltmeter and ammeter reading.
6. Plot the graph for both the characteristics.
Observation table:

1. When MT2 is positive with respect to MT1 ( MODE: I+)

a) Blocking Mode:
By keeping Gate voltage zero.

Sr. No. VMT2 MT1 (Volts) IA (µA)

1 0 0
2 5 4
3 10.1 9
4 14.8 14
5 19.8 19
6 24.7 24

b) Conducting Mode:
By applying Gate voltage = 5 volts

Sr. No. VMT2 MT1 (Volts) IA (mA)

1 0.8 11
2 0.8 28
3 0.8 43
4 0.8 58
5 0.8 74
6 0.9 91

2. When MT1 is positive with respect to MT2 ( MODE: III-)

c) Blocking Mode:
By applying zero Gate voltage and reverse Anode to Cathode voltage

Sr. No. VMT2 MT1 (Volts) IA (µA)

1 -4.9 -3.5
2 -9.8 -9.0
3 -14.7 -14
4 -19.6 -19
5 -24.6 -25

d) Conducting Mode:
By applying Gate voltage = 5 volts

Sr. No. VMT2 MT1 (Volts) IA (mA)

1 0.8 11.5
2 0.8 28
3 0.8 43
4 0.8 59
 5 0.8 72

Result: Characteristics of TRIAC were studied and the graph is plotted from the reading.

Conclusion: As we know TRIAC consist of two scr and it functions in both directions that is
reverse and forward biased. And it can be observed in graphs. Also we can observe some
similarities in characteristics of scr and triac .
Graphs:
Signature of Practical Incharge & Remarks: