BTA208S-800B,118 Discrete Semiconductor Products

The BTA208S-800B is a type of electronic component known as a Triac, which itself is a type of thyristor. Triacs are three-terminal components used in electrical devices to regulate the flow of current. The word ‘Triac’ is an acronym for “triode for alternating current”. They are made of two back-to-back thyristors, giving rise to the name Triac. Depending on the schematic arrangement, they are capable of switching either polarity of the current.

A Triac is a symmetrical semiconductor, meaning it’s both an ideal diode and transistor. This allows it to control both the positive and negative half cycles of an AC waveform. Because of its ability to control both positive and negative current flow, the Triac is often used in AC motor control and speed control applications.

The unique construction of a Triac allows it to latch into a conducting state when the control voltage applied to its main terminal (MT1) is switched off. Any increase in the MT1 voltage causes the Triac to turn off. This behavior is due to the built-in three-layer structure of the Triac, which comprises two symmetrical thyristors that face opposite directions. When the voltage at the main terminal (MT1) exceeds a certain threshold, current is allowed to pass through the device in one direction.

The BTA208S-800B is a popular application for controlling electronic lighting systems, or any kind of operation where AC power control is needed. It has a maximum continuous current rating of 800A and can handle peak off-state voltage of 800V. The device is well suited for AC loads such as lighting, motor switching, and electrical heating. In addition, the thyristor regulator offers low induction and high-speed operating capabilities.

When used in an AC switching circuit, the BTA208S-800B Triac will cycle on and off repeatedly at a set frequency. The on-time is determined by the triggering circuit and the off-time is determined by the load current. This allows the device to control AC power in applications where the load current needs to be adjusted. In such applications, the thyristor is essentially being used as an adjustable AC power controller.

The BTA208S-800B is also useful in dimmer circuits and frequency conversion applications. It offers quick response to trigger signals and features high surge current ratings to handle higher speeds and heavier loads. The device is also RoHS compliant and comes in a TO-220 package design, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.