L4006L8

Thyristors - TRIACs: L4006L8 application field and working principle

Thyristors are a type of active semiconductor device which are basically used for controlling the current and/or voltage in an electrical circuit, and recently Thyristor’s latest creation – called the TRIAC – is one of the most popularly used thyristors due to its more advanced, user friendly features and higher power ratings than all other thyristors. TRIAC (short for ‘Triode for Alternating Current’) is a four-terminal device which is mainly used for switching AC signals, hence the name Triode for Alternating Current.

L4006L8 is a type of TRIAC which has a specific application field that involves regulating the load current and controlling the speed of a motor or machine while drawing power from an AC source. This TRIAC is suitable for directly switching inductive or capacitive loads or even resistive loads. It can help to adjust the power which reaches a load, in order to control the machines motor speed and hence, increasing energy efficiency and working speed.

The working principle of L4006L8 is actually the same as all other TRIACs. Whenever a voltage is applied over its gate terminal, an avalanche breakdown occurs at the gate terminal, which in turn switches on the TRIAC, allowing current to pass through it within the device. This process of being triggered by the current is known as triggering the device. The current is then stopped by removing the voltage from the gate terminal. The L4006L8 can withstand up to peak on-state voltage and provides a high dielectric withstanding voltage and good heat-tolerances.

The L4006L8 is able to handle high currents and is an ideal choice for machines which draw large amounts of power – such as power saws and other metalworking tools. They are also perfectly suited for soft starts and low in-rush current control where the load must be gradually brought up to power levels. Additionally, L4006L8 is robust and can be used in harsh environments where greater protection against dust and moisture is necessary in order to prevent the device from malfunctioning.

As is the case with all TRIACs, the L4006L8 also requires a suitable snubber circuit for proper working. The snubber circuit limits the voltage across the TRIAC when it turns off and also reduces the loss of power in the circuit. As such, the snubber circuit also helps in limiting the dV/dT (change in voltage over time) across the TRIAC. This helps in making the TRIAC more robust and prevents it from being damaged or malfunctioning.

The L4006L8 is an efficient thyroid that is strong and reliable when used in the right environment and with the right snubber circuit. It can help to regulate the load current and control the speed of a motor or machine while drawing power from an AC source, and is able to handle high currents. The process of being triggered by the current is known as triggering the device, which then allows current to pass through, limited by the snubber circuit for proper working.