Q4015R5

Thyristors - TRIACs

A TRIAC is a three terminal electronic component that acts as a switch suitable for AC supplies. TRIACs belong to the thyristor family of semiconductors and are widely used in industrial and domestic dimming circuits, as well as controlling circuits used in motor speed control, lighting control and power supplies. Thyristors are certain types of transistors which permit current flow in one direction only, and the Q4015R5 is an example of a TRIAC.

The Q4015R5 is suitable for AC control applications and is designed to support higher voltage control, up to a maximum of 400V. It is an ideal component for applications that require low gate currents, such as household dimmers, motor speed controllers, light dimmers and appliance power supplies. The Q4015R5 works on the principle that an alternating current supply is interrupted in a specific manner using a gate pulse. When the gate is triggered, current flow is started in one direction, and then after a short delay, current flows in the other direction. This sequence is then repeated, allowing for continuous control of the AC power.

The Q4015R5 works on a symmetrical gate pulse basis and is a zero crossing gate controlled TRIAC, meaning it will switch on only when the AC waveform crosses the zero line in both the up and down direction. This makes the Q4015R5 suitable for applications such as switching AC loads and illuminating AC lamps, as well as controlling the speed of AC motors. The Q4015R5 is also designed with a feature called freewheeling, which means if the gate current is removed, the TRIAC will remain on. This allows the TRIAC to be used as a switch to control AC supplies, as it will remain on even when the gate pulse is removed.

In addition to being used as a switch, the Q4015R5 can also be used in latching applications. This means the TRIAC can be switched on when a pulse is applied on the gate, and then remain on even after the pulse is removed. Latching applications are often used in applications such as light dimmers, motor speed controllers, and appliances where consistent power is required.

The Q4015R5 is designed for use in applications requiring a high switching speed and high current handling capabilities. It is designed to be highly reliable, and it has been tested to operate in a wide range of ambient temperatures. It is generally available in the TO-220 package, a thermally enhanced package designed for use in high power handling and high frequency applications.

In summary, the Q4015R5 is a TRIAC, a thyristor which can be used for controlling AC supplies, like dimmers and motor speed controllers. It is suitable for a wide range of applications and is designed with a freewheeling feature, meaning it can remain on even when the gate current is removed. It is also capable of latching, which allows it to remain on even after a pulse is removed. The Q4015R5 is designed with a wide range of capabilities to allow for easy integration in a range of applications.