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Experiment 2

The document describes an experiment to obtain the VI characteristics of a DIAC and plot the graph. Key points: 1. The objectives are to describe the DIAC's structure and operation, explain how it operates, and obtain its VI characteristics. 2. Materials used include a DIAC, variable DC supply, ammeter, resistor, and potentiometer. 3. The procedure connects the components in a circuit, varies the supply voltage, and notes the current readings to plot the graph of VI characteristics.

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258 views

Experiment 2

The document describes an experiment to obtain the VI characteristics of a DIAC and plot the graph. Key points: 1. The objectives are to describe the DIAC's structure and operation, explain how it operates, and obtain its VI characteristics. 2. Materials used include a DIAC, variable DC supply, ammeter, resistor, and potentiometer. 3. The procedure connects the components in a circuit, varies the supply voltage, and notes the current readings to plot the graph of VI characteristics.

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BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY

CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN


COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

Name: ESPERANZA, Ronabelle M.


Course/Year/Section: ECE 3A

Experiment No. 2
DIAC VI Characteristics

✎Objectives

1. Describe the basic structure and operation of the DIAC.


2. Explain the operation of the DIAC.
3. To obtain V-l characteristics of DIAC & plot the graph.

☑ Materials
No Name of the apparatus/
Range/Rating Quantity
. equipment/ components
1 DIAC (1N5758) 1 pc
2 Variable D.C Supply 0-50 V 1 pc
3 Ammeter/ Multimeter 0-5 A 1 pc
4 Resistor 1kΩ 1pc
5 Potentiometer 1kΩ 1pc

☑ VI Characteristics

The DIAC, or "diode for alternating current" is a diode that conducts current only
after its breakover voltage has been reached momentarily. When this occurs, the diode
enters the region of negative dynamic resistance, leading to a decrease in the voltage
drop across the diode and, usually, a sharp increase in current through the diode. The
diode remains "in conduction" until the current through it drops below a value
characteristic for the device, called the holding current. Below this value, the diode
switches back to its high-resistance (non-conducting) state. This behavior is bidirectional,
meaning typically the same for both directions of current.

Most DIACs have a three-layer structure with breakover voltage around 30 V. In


this way, their behavior is somewhat similar to (but much more precisely controlled and
taking place at lower voltages than) a neon lamp. DIACs have no gate electrode, unlike
some other thyristors that they are commonly used to trigger, such as TRIACs. Some

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BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY
CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

TRIACs, like Quadrac, contain a built-in DIAC in series with the TRIACs "gate" terminal
for this purpose.

DIACs are also called symmetrical trigger diodes due to the symmetry of their
characteristic curve. Because DIACs are bidirectional devices, their terminals are not
(labeled as anode and cathode but as A1 and A2 or MT1 ("Main Terminal") and MT2.

Figure 1. VI Characteristics of DIAC

Figure 2. DIAC Circuit Diagram

Page 2
BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY
CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

☑ Procedure

1. Connections are given as shown in the circuit diagram.


2. Set the potentiometer at 50%.
3. Put an ammeter in series with the DIAC.
4. By varying supply voltage (V1) with an increment of 2.5V (from 10-40V), note
down the ammeter readings.
5. Plot the graph.

☑ Tabular Column
Voltage (VF) Current (I)
9.989V 7.145µA
12.487V 8.932µA
14.984V 10.718µA
17.481V 12.504µA
19.979V 14.29µA
22.476V 16.077µA
607.750mV 16.261mA
610.268mV 17.926mA
612.563mV 19.592mA
614.670mV 21.257mA
616.619mV 22.922mA
618.431mV 24.588mA
620.124mV 26.253mA

0.03
620.124mV, 618.431mV,
☑ Plot 26.253mA 24.588mA
0.025
616.619mV, 614.670mV,
22.922mA 21.257mA
22.476V,
0.02 16.077µA
612.563mV, 610.268mV,
19.592mA 17.926mA
Current (I)

14.984V,
0.015 607.750mV, 10.718µA
16.261mA
17.481V,
12.504µA
0.01
12.487V, 19.979V,
8.932µA 14.29µA
0.005
9.989V,
7.145µA
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Voltage (Vf)

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BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY
CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

☑ Self-Test

1. DIAC resembles a bipolar transistor with no base connection. Justify the statement.

The DIAC is similar to a bipolar transistor except that it does not have a
base connection because it operates as a bidirectional switching diode, which
means that it is primarily concerned with alternating current signals given the
fact that it has a switching current. Therefore, it resembles a transistor, but it
does not function as an amplifier in the traditional sense.

2. Write three specifications of DIAC.


The DIode AC switch, abbreviated DIAC, is a three-layer, two-junction
semiconductor device that is similar to a bipolar transistor but lacks a base
connection. Compared to other diodes that act as a rectifier and amplifier, it acts
as a bidirectional switching diode. As a result, it is specified in three ways:
1. The positive half cycle's conduction state.
2. The negative half-cycle conduction state.
3. The non-conducting mode or the blocking state.

3. DIAC is not a controlling device. Give a reason.


This is because a DIAC lacks a controlling terminal or a base terminal that
regulates the direction and flow of the current.

4. Write two applications of DIAC.


1. It is frequently used as a solid-state trigger for other semiconductor
switching devices, specifically SCRs, and TRIACS.
2. It is also widely used as a lamp dimmers and motor speed controller to
provide full-wave control when connected to a TRIAC.

5. Write two differences between DIAC and SCR


A thyristor, also known as a Silicon-Controlled Rectifier or SCR, has four
Terminals while a diode ac switch, or DIAC, has only three. Thus, the SCR is a
unidirectional device. In contrast, the DIAC is bidirectional, capable of being
turned on in both forward and reverse polarity above a threshold voltage.

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BULACAN STATE UNIVERSITY
CITY OF MALOLOS, BULACAN
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

☑ Conclusion

The DIAC is an example of a diode, which conducts only after reaching its
break-over voltage before switching off. It functions similarly to a transistor but
without the need for a base layer. There are two electrodes on it as well. As a
result, a thyristor family member used to trigger thyristors and other electronic
devices is also a device that can be used in both directions, the DIAC.

Screenshot of circuit experiment on Multisim:

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