TRIACs make cooler circuits
22 June 2009
TRIACs up to 10 A unlock savings by eliminating parts, shrinking heatsinks, and cutting power.
High maximum junction temperature of TRAICs allows removal of heatsinks.
The first TRIACs with 10 mA gate sensitivity to be specified for operation up to 150°C without derating were released by STMicroelectronics. The TRIACs enable low-cost solutions for heaters, motors and other small appliances, through savings in heatsinks, and gate-drive power-supply and snubber circuitry.
The devices introduced are the T410H rated for maximum current of 4 A, the 6 A T610H, 8 A T810H and 10 A T1010H. Their low gate current of 10 mA allows direct logic-level switching of the TRIAC, which saves component count and reduces the size and cost of the power supply. In addition, the low gate current maintains high dynamic performance, maintaining specified minimal commutation and 75 V/μs noise immunity at up to 150°C. This high maximum junction temperature (Tj) allows designers to reduce or remove heatsinks in cost-sensitive designs, increase power density, and enhance reliability at high ambient temperatures.
The new TRIACs are ideal for control of AC loads such as electric heaters, inductive heating equipment, medium-power motors, and other small appliances. At normal operating temperatures, they exceed the performance of similar devices specified for 125°C maximum Tj. All devices are rated up to 600 V, for reliable operation in mains-powered systems.
All devices are available in the industry-standard TO-220AB through-hole package, and the T810H and T1010H will also be introduced in the surface-mount D2PAK package.
The launch of these low-gate-current devices extends ST’s introduction of HiTj TRIACs, which began in February 2008 with devices having gate sensitivities of 35 mA and 50 mA, and current ratings up to 20 A.
The T410H, T610H, T810H and T1010H will be priced from $0.40 in quantities of 10,000 pieces, and are in volume production.
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