Triac Switch

Why
Because
I
needed
to
switch
a
bank of five
monitors
(three flat-panels, two CRTs) from one switch. I originally used a 12-volt relay, but that
turned out to be suboptimal; the inrush current for all five power supplies was so high
the relay contacts tended to get welded together and occassionally required a swift tap to
disconnect, gradually degrading until they had to be replaced. As solid-state devices
tend to have much higher peak current capabilities, after wasting the third relay I
decided to replace the whole design.

What
The unit is just a simple triac switch, with an optoisolator calculated to handle 5 to 12
volts. Future upgrade to USB control is thus possible without modification of parts
values.
The unit lacks a snubber. This was omitted due to the capacitive nature of the load.
Transients on the mains may open the triac momentarily. The unit is however connected
through a transient suppressor, and problems of this nature were not observed so far.

TODO

Snubber (if needed)

Replace the K3021 with MOC3041 (or TLP3041) for zero-cross switching

Replace the whole unit with six individually controlled sockets

Images

Outside view, top

Outside view, side

Outside view, top-side

Inside view

Inside view

Low-voltage part, detail

Smart Trailing Socket

Circuit diagram:

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R1,R2_________100R

1/2W Resistors

C1____________100nF

630V Polyester Capacitor

D1 to D6_____1N5408 1000V 3A Diodes (See Notes)

D7__________TIC225M 600V 8A Sensitive Gate Triac (See Notes)
A commercial trailing socket to be modified or a self-made box with
several sockets.

Comments:

This circuit consists of a Trailing Socket (also called Extension or Distribution Socket)
or similar device where two, three or more sockets (depending on the box dimensions

and on constructor's needs) will be powered only when a current flows in the Control
Socket.
For example: if an electric drill is connected to the Control Socket, the Switched
Sockets will be powered each time the electric drill is running. In this case, a lamp could
be connected to a Switched Socket and will illuminate when the drill is operating.
Another example: a desk lamp could be connected to the Control Socket and a PC, a
Monitor and a Printer could be connected to the Switched Sockets and will be running
after the lamp is switched on. Switching off the lamp, all the above mentioned
appliances
will
be
automatically
switched
off.
A further application is the control of a High Fidelity chain, plugging the Power
Amplifier in the Control Socket and - for example - CD Player, Tape Recorder, and
Tuner in the Switched Sockets. Usually, trailing sockets are placed to the rear of the
appliances, often in places not easily reachable, so, even if the socket has a switch, it is
much easier to switch on and off the High Fidelity chain from the main amplifier itself.
The same consideration is valid for computer-monitor-printer chains etc. Nevertheless,
in this case, the use of a table lamp plugged in the Control Socket is almost mandatory,
as
explained
below.
In fact, this very sensitive circuit works fine when appliances having full breaking
switches like lamps, drills, most power amplifiers, old radios, old TV sets, fans, almost
all electrical household appliances etc. are plugged in the Control Socket. This is
because these devices have a switch that fully excludes the internal circuitry from the
mains.
Unfortunately, in modern devices like computers, monitors, CD players, recent radios
and TV sets (usually powered by means of internal "switching" supplies), the power
switch does not completely isolate the internal circuitry from the mains, as transient
suppressors and other components remain on circuit. This causes a very small current to
flow across the sensing circuitry, but sufficient to trigger the output Triac.
Therefore, the switched devices will remain always on, no matter if the control
appliance is on or off. This could also happen when devices connected to the mains by
means of plug-in power supply adapters are used as control appliances, due to their lack
of
a
mains
switch.
In spite of this restriction, the circuit can be still useful, due to the high number and
variety of devices allowing impeccable performance when they are plugged in the
Control Socket.
Circuit operation:

Six back-to-back power diodes are connected in series to the Control Socket. The
current drawn by the device plugged into this socket when in the on state, flowing
through the diode chain, causes a voltage drop of about 2V. This voltage, limited by R1,
drives the Gate of the Triac D7 which, in turn, will switch the output sockets.
C1 and R2 form a so called "Snubber network", helping to eliminate switching
transients generated by inductive loads.

Notes:

The circuit is sufficiently small to be embedded into some types of

commercial trailing sockets, or a box with a number of sockets can be
made at will.

The diode types suggested in the Parts List for D1 to D6 will allow an
appliance of up to about 500W power to be plugged in the Control
Socket. Use BY550-800 diodes for up to 800 - 1000W.

For less demanding appliances, 1N4007 diodes will allow up to 200W

power.

The Triac type suggested in the Parts List for D7 will allow a total
power available to the Switched Sockets of more than 1000W. If you
intend to drive loads of more than 500W total, please use a suitable
heatsink.

Wanting to drive less powerful loads, you can use for D7 a TIC216M
(up to 800 - 1000W) or a TIC206M (up to 500 - 600W).

Warning! The device is connected to 230Vac mains, so some parts in

the circuit board are subjected to lethal potential! Avoid touching the
circuit when the mains cord is plugged in!

http://www.redcircuits.com/index.html

Modular Preamplifier Control Center

Circuit diagram:

Parts:
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P1______________47K

Log. Potentiometer
(twin concentric-spindle dual gang for stereo)

R1,R2,R4_______100K
R3,R14_________560R
R5_______________1K
R6,R7,R10_______10K
R8,R9___________22K
R11_____________68K
R12______________1K5
R13_____________12K

1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W

C1_______________1F
C2,C3__________100pF
C4______________47nF
C5______________22nF
C6_____________220pF
C7,C10_________100nF
C8,C11___________47
C9,C12________2200F

63V
63V
63V
63V
63V
63V
25V
25V

IC1___________TL072
IC2___________78L15
IC3___________79L15

Dual BIFET Op-Amp

15V 100mA Positive Regulator IC
15V 100mA Negative Regulator IC

D1,D2________1N4002

Resistors
Resistors
Resistor
Resistors
Resistors
Resistor
Resistor
Resistor
Polyester Capacitor
Polystyrene or Ceramic Capacitors
Polyester Capacitor
Polyester Capacitor
Polystyrene or Ceramic Capacitor
Polyester Capacitors
Electrolytic Capacitors
Electrolytic Capacitors

200V 1A Diodes

SW1____________DPDT Toggle Switch

SW2____________2 poles 3 ways Rotary Switch
J1,J2,J3,J5____RCA audio input sockets
J4_____________Mini DC Power Socket

Comments:

This is the first article of a five-part series describing a complete audio preamplifier
formed by five Mini-Modules, namely: Control Center, Switching Center, Phono
Preamplifier, Tone Control and Headphone Amplifier. A suitable Power Amplifier
module is already available here:
45 Watt Class B Amplifier.
The arrangement of these modules is similar to a late-1980's commercial production, the
Thorens Restek Mini-Modules. Obviously, all the circuits of this Modular Preamplifier
are original designs and have no relationship with the Thorens Modules.
The modular arrangement allows the amateur to choose only the modules more suited to
his requirements in order to build a chain one to five modules long.
For the minimalist, the Control Center module described in this page will be most
probably the only useful module, allowing the choice of two input sources, e.g. a CD
player
and
an
Aux
input
(Tuner
or
iPod
etc.).
The purist can also omit the Loudness control available there: the 2 poles 3 ways Rotary
Switch used for this control (SW2) can be converted into a three-input selector switch.
Therefore, the two-input selector SW1 at the center of the front panel, can be substituted
by a 3mm stereo mini-jack socket, allowing, for example, the quick and easy plugging
of an iPod.
Each module, excepting the Switching Center that is a passive circuit, incorporates its
own separate power supply rectifiers and regulators and requires only an external 15 18V
ac
(50mA
minimum)
Power
Supply
Adaptor.
In a chain formed by several modules, the use of a series of Power Supply Adaptors
may be considered excessive. In such cases, the dual 15V dc stabilized supply can be
carried from a main module to the others by means of a three-wire cable and suitable
connectors. Or the ac output of a single Power Supply Adaptor can be routed to several
modules by using two Mini DC Power Sockets in each module wired in parallel,
allowing to use a two-wire cable interconnection.
Each electronic board can be fitted in a standard enclosure: Hammond extruded
aluminum cases are well suited to host the boards of this preamp. In particular, the cases
sized 16 x 10.3 x 5.3 cm or 22 x 10.3 x 5.3 cm are the more appropriate and can be
stacked with advantage.
Control Center circuit description:

This circuit features two high-level inputs switched by SW1, followed by the unity-gain
high input impedance buffer IC1A. The output of this buffer drives the passive network
Loudness circuit. Its control switch SW2A allows the choice of two different frequency

compensation curves (see graph below) to be used when the sound programme is
reproduced at low levels. Curve I should be used with low to mid reproduction levels, in
practice when the volume control knob is set around the second quarter of its travel.
Curve II is best suited to very low levels, i.e. when the volume control knob is set
around the first quarter. To obtain a perfectly flat frequency response, the Loudness
control must be set in the OFF position.
The following Op-Amp (IC1B) provides all the gain required by the preamplifier,
featuring 166mV RMS input sensitivity at 1.5V RMS output with very low distortion.
Therefore it is capable of driving low input sensitivity power amplifiers.
The dual rail power supply necessary for this circuit is drawn from the single 15 - 18V
ac voltage provided by a suitable external Power Supply Adaptor. D1 and D2 rectify
respectively the positive and the negative half wave in order to obtain a dual opposite
polarity rail voltage referred to ground. IC2 and IC3 provide a well regulated 15V dc
supply to the Op-Amps.
Notes:

The circuit diagram shows the Left channel only and the power supply.

Some parts are in common to both channels and must not be

doubled. These parts are: P1 (if a twin concentric-spindle dual gang
potentiometer is used), IC2, IC3, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12, D1, D2,
SW1, SW2 and J4.

This module requires an external 15 - 18V ac (50mA minimum) Power

Supply Adaptor.

Technical data:
Input sensitivity:
166mV RMS for 1.5V RMS output
Maximum output voltage:
9.5V RMS into 10K load
Frequency response:
flat from 20Hz to 23KHz
Total harmonic distortion @ 1KHz and 10KHz:
less than 0.002% at all levels up to 9.5V RMS (0.0017% typical)

Loudness Frequency Response:

A possible arrangement of the front and rear panels of this Module

Simple Capacitance Meter

Operates in conjunction with a voltmeter
1pF to 22F in six Ranges - 9V Battery supply

Circuit diagram:

Parts:
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P1_____________470R

Linear Potentiometer

R1 to R6________47K
R7______________10K
R8_____________100R

1/2W Cermet or Carbon Trimmers

1/4W Resistor
1/4W Resistor

C1_______________1nF
Tolerance or better
C2______________10nF
Tolerance or better
C3_____________100nF
C4_______________1F
C5______________10F
C6______________47F
IC1____________4093
IC2___________78L05

63V Polyester or Polystyrene Capacitor 5%

63V Polyester or Polystyrene Capacitor 5%
63V
63V
25V
25V

Polyester Capacitor 5% Tolerance or better

Polyester Capacitor 5% Tolerance or better
Electrolytic Capacitor (See Notes)
Electrolytic Capacitor

Quad 2 input Schmitt NAND Gate IC

5V 100mA Regulator IC

SW1____________2 poles 6 ways Rotary Switch

SW2____________SPST Toggle or Slide Switch
J1,J2__________1 or 2mm. chassis sockets (See Notes)
J3,J4___________4mm Output sockets
B1_______________9V
Clip for PP3 Battery

PP3 Battery

Comments:

A Capacitance Meter can be an useful tool for the electronics amateur, mainly to
measure the value of capacitors obtained after dismantling old radios, PC cards and
other
electronics
appliances.
Good quality capacitors can be found frequently, but often their capacitance value is
unknown because the lettering on the case is hardly readable: in some cases being
partially
or
completely
erased.
This device can measure capacitors in the 1pF to 22F range with good accuracy if low
tolerance capacitors are used for C1 - C5, and is even more appealing as it requires a
common digital or analog Multimeter set to 2V dc voltage range to clearly and cheaply
display
the
unknown
capacitor
value.
This test tool can be useful also when a more tight value is required for a capacitor:
selecting it from a batch will become much easier.
Circuit Operation:

In conjunction with a voltmeter, this circuit gives a direct reading of capacitance. IC1A
and IC1B form an oscillator and buffer, the frequency being set by R1 to R6 trimmers
and C1 to C5 capacitors switched by SW1A and B in six different ranges. Output goes
to IC1D, one of whose inputs is inverted and delayed by the unknown component by
time proportional to its value. At the output of IC1D, normally high, a negative-going
pulse with a width proportional to the capacitance appears, the duty cycle of the output
and, therefore, the average voltage indicating the value of capacitance.
Supply voltage stability is required for accuracy: therefore, a small 5V voltage regulator
IC was added.
Circuit Calibration:

To calibrate, set the dvm to its 2V range and remove CX, adjusting P1 for a zero reading
(a very narrow pulse is present in this condition due to the inherent delay of IC1C). For
ranges 2 to 6 (2nF to 20F) connect a capacitor of the same value and tolerance of C2 to
C5 in the CX position, set the frequency switch and adjust R2 to R6 trimmers for
reading
the
correct
value
on
the
Multimeter
display.
Obviously, this operation must be repeated five times, connecting the correct capacitor
in the CX position and adjusting the corresponding Trimmer for each range.
To calibrate the first range (200pF) set the frequency switch in the first position and
connect a 100pF low tolerance polystyrene capacitor in the CX position. Then adjust R1
for a reading of 100 on the display.
Notes:

P1 must be adjusted for a zero reading (Cx removed) whenever the

range is changed.

A +100% - 20% tolerance value is very common for electrolytic

capacitors. Therefore, C5 should be a low tolerance type or a 1F or
2.2F polyester capacitor, 5% tolerance or better, can be used in the
CX position to calibrate the last range.

Wiring from the circuit board to J1 and J2 must be kept as short as

possible to avoid stray capacitance.

As described in the Parts List, J1 and J2 can be chassis sockets of 1 or

2mm diameter, or even two short leads ended with crocodile clips,
but perhaps the best solution is to use a 2 way spring loaded, lever
action, quick connection loudspeaker terminal.
Originally developed for terminating loudspeaker leads, these
terminals have found numerous uses in applications requiring quick
interconnection between equipment. The spring loaded lever allows
wires to be easily inserted into the terminal where they are firmly
trapped once the lever is released, giving a reliable connection.

Total current consumption is 3.5mA.

This is a modified version of an original circuit by Rae Perl, Helsinki,

Finland.

Simple Frequency Meter

10Hz - 200kHz in three ranges

Operates in conjunction with a Digital Multimeter

Circuit diagram:

Parts:
partner-pub-8174 FORID:10

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R1_______________2K2
R2______________10M
R3_____________100K
R4,R5__________330K
R6,R7,R8_______100K

1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/4W
1/2W

Resistor
Resistor
Resistor
Resistors
Cermet or Carbon Trimmers

Search

C1,C2,C3_______220nF
C4,C8__________100nF
C5______________10nF
C6_______________1nF
C7_____________100F
IC1____________4011
IC2___________78L06

63V
63V
63V
63V
25V

Polyester Capacitors
Polyester Capacitors
Polyester Capacitor
Polyester Capacitor
Electrolytic Capacitor

Quad 2 input NAND Gate CMos IC

6V 100mA Regulator IC

D1___________1N4148

75V 150mA Diode

Q1____________BC547

45V 100mA NPN Transistor

SW1____________2 poles 3 ways Rotary Switch

SW2____________SPST Toggle or Slide Switch
B1_______________9V

PP3 Battery

Clip for PP3 Battery

Circuit operation:

A digital voltmeter or (with a bit less precision) an analog one, can be used for
frequency measurements up to 200kHz using this circuit. The design is based on an
original
idea
of
Rae
Perl,
Helsinky,
Finland.
The frequency to be measured is amplified by Q1, but the input signal is limited to a
maximum
of
about
2V
peak-to-peak
by
R1,
D1
and
D2.
The ac input of the logic gate IC1A is biased towards the switching point by resistors
R4 and R5. In this way, the gate switches at a significantly lower input voltage than
would otherwise be needed and changes its output voltage each time the input voltage
passes
the
half
supply
voltage
threshold.
IC1A controls gates IC1B and IC1D. Gate IC1D output voltage is reversed and delayed
by a capacitor (C4, C5 or C6) relative to gate IC1A's output. One input of gate IC1B is
fed with the output voltage of IC1A and in the other input with the delayed voltage from
gate IC1D. Output of gate IC1B comprises a negative pulse with a duration equal to the
time it takes for gate IC1D to falling from its high state to its low state. Pulses from gate
IC1B are then inverted in gate IC1C. These pulses are always similar in shape,
independent of the amplitude and shape of the original input voltage.
The mean value of gate IC1C's output voltage can then be measured by a digital
multimeter
with
its
200mV
dc
voltage
range
selected.
Three frequency measuring ranges (2kHz, 20kHz and 200kHz) are selected by SW1A,
which connects a suitable capacitor to gate IC1D's output, and SW1B which in turn
connects
a
trimmer
for
each
range
to
gate
IC1C's
output.
In this way the meter reading can be adjusted so that the voltage reading directly
represents
the
unknown
input
frequency.
The circuit requires a 6V regulated power supply, obtained from IC2 and a 9V battery,
with a total current drawing of 2.5mA.
Circuit Calibration:

The circuit can be easily calibrated using tones of known frequency, centered for each
range at 1kHz, 10kHz and 100kHz respectively. These tones can be easily obtained from

sine or square wave generators, computer software (many free or shareware programs:
simply type "tone generator software" on Google), or directly downloaded from the web
as sound files of the desired frequency (type "audio tone files" or "test tone files" on
Google).
With the multimeter set to 200mV dc and an input signal of 1kHz, trim R6 to read 1000.
Common 3 1/2 digits multimeters will display 100.0 but please forget the point.
Trim R7 to read always 1000 with an input signal of 10kHz: in this case, the least
significant digit of 10000 is not displayed but even in this range forget the point.
Trim R8 to read 100.0 with an input signal of 100kHz: in this range the point is
displayed correctly.
Technical data:
Input Sensitivity:
2.5mV RMS from 100Hz to 20kHz
7mV RMS at 100kHz
10mV RMS at 15Hz and 200kHz
Total Current Drawing:
2.5mA
Note:

If an input sensitivity of about 280mV RMS is considered sufficient,

Q1, R2, R3 and C2 can be omitted and the junction of R1, D1 and D2
can be connected to C3.

These are the original diagrams that led me to think of such a circuit.
Typical dimmer circuit...

How to use a sensitive triac to control a power triac...

How to calculate the limiting resistor value...

I could not resist the temptation to use the off the shelf dimmer.
I can buy the whole circuit for the control less than the parts. Its nice to have a mounting
plate also. Whenever I build the 240 volt ones, I replace the pot and the cap. The off the
shelf ones are not rated high enough on the capacitors. I tried it with disasterous results. The
caps exploded and stank the place up really bad.

Triac regulator

Why

Sometimes a mains-powered device needs lower than full power. To adjust it, a triac
regulator can be used. The power of heating elements, lightbulbs, or the rotational speed
of commutator motors can then be easily adjusted by turning a knob.
What

The regulator is built as a compact unit for laboratory purposes and ad-hoc setups. The
input power connector is the IEC 60320 socket, the output is a standard European power
socket. An off-the-shelf KPZ12 box was used for the housing.
A third-party brush motor regulator was used as the base schematics. It was however
rather poorly specified at some points, e.g. the type of the triac was omitted; it was

apparently different than the

BT138 one used here,
necessitating changes of
values of some components.
Regulator circuitry

The regulator itself is a

standard circuit for a triac
switch, using a DIAC to
make the switching more
symmetrical
for
both
positive and negative halfwave. The resistor-capacitor
network provides timing;
when the capacitor reaches
breakdown voltage of the
DIAC, the DIAC switches
and dumps the energy from the capacitor into the triac's gate and opens it for the rest of
the half-wave.
The moment the triac switches therefore depends on the value of the series resistor. The
regulator potentiometer should work from zero to full scale. The series and parallel
fixed resistors are therefore necessary to fine-tune the operation range. The 2M2 resistor
was chosen to eliminate the dead space on the left side of the pot scale where the triac
was not switching on at all (by reducing the resistance of the pot when on max), the
series 1k resistor sets the full-scale limit (by addition to the pot resistance when it is on
min). The exact values depend strongly on the triac and diac used.
The high-current path in the schematics is emphasized with thicker lines.
Snubber circuit and filtering

The 100nF capacitors with one parallel resistor act as a snubber network, filtering out
the transients (present especially when inductive load is being regulated) that could
cause trouble like false triggering of the triac or excessive EMI.
The choke in series with the rest of the circuit serves to filter out the EMI from the triac
switching. Its value turns out to not be mission-critical, at least for the low-hundredwatts motors and tens-of-watts lightbulbs used as test loads. Original schematics
suggested 200 H; such value was not readily available for high enough current, a
choke from a reusable-parts bin was therefore chosen and turned out to be satisfying.
Indicators

Two neon bulbs are used as indicators. One shows the power being present on the input
connector, the other one is connected across the load and shows the relative power

available by its brightness (and has full brightness across the scale when there is no
load).
For rough measuring of the current flowing through the load, a low-cost ammeter was
fashioned from an extra-cheap VU meter. Its full-deflection voltage was measured and a
suitable shunt resistor was made from a length of resistive wire, with assistance of a
milliohmmeter. To make it work with the AC current, a diode bridge was employed.
TODO

Labels on the box

Scale for the ammeter

Images

Inside view

Inside view

Ammeter detail

Triac board detail

Triac board detail

Both halves of the

box

Outside view

Outside view

Outside view

Outside, side view

Outside, top view

Master/Slave Switch
In this age of enlightenment any sort of relationship that could be described as master/slave would be
questionable but for the purposes of this circuit it gives a good idea of how it functions. The circuit
senses mains current supplied to a master device and switches slave equipment on or off. This feature
is useful in a typical hi-fi or home computer environment where several peripheral devices can all be
switched on or off together. A solid-state relay from Sharp is an ideal switching element in this
application; a built-in zero crossing detector ensures that switching only occurs when the mains voltage
passes through zero and any resultant interference is kept to an absolute minimum.
Circuit diagram:

All of the triac drive circuitry (including optical coupling) is integrated on-chip so there are very few
external components and no additional power supply necessary. This makes the finished design very
compact. Diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 perform the current sensing function and produce a voltage on C2
when the master equipment is switched on. A Schottky diode is used for D5 to reduce forward voltage
losses to a minimum. The circuit is quite sensitive and will successfully switch the slave even when the
master equipment draws very little mains current. The RC network formed by R1 and C1 provides some
protection for the solid-state relay against mains-borne voltage transients.

Warning:

This circuit is connected to the mains. it is important to be aware that the chip has lethal voltages on its
pins and all appropriate safety guidelines must be adhered to! This includes the LED, for safety it must be
fitted behind a transparent plexiglass shield.
Author: Karl Kckeis - Copyright: Elektor July-August 2004