In the case of my test, the DIACs' voltage appeared across R1 at about 30 volts on TP1 then quickly jumped up to between 10-15 volts. volt meter across TP2 (red lead) and TP3 (black lead). Step 1: Set the voltage out to 0 volts as measured across TP1 and TP3. It wouldn't hurt to wire a 27k bleeder resistor across C1 and C2. D1, D2, C1, C2 form a half-wave voltage doubler and filter. This is used with a Radio Shack 120 to 24-volt transformer to form a variable A.C. This should have a knob or slider control. The "lamp dimmer" is simply a common dimmer circuit for room lighting available at any Lowe's or Home Depot. If one is at home or has no access to a supply, one can be easily built.
In my industrial electricity class we do have a variable A.C power supply for 0-22 volts AC. The first thing we need is a variable D.C. To really check a DIAC we need to apply a voltage and note where the DIAC conducts and turns off. So much for theory, how does one check as DIAC? The only thing a volt-ohm meter will check is if the DIAC is shorted in the diode check mode. Because DIACs are bidirectional devices, their terminals are labeled MT1 ("Main Terminal") and MT2. DIACs have no gate electrode and are commonly used to trigger TRIACs.ĭIACs are also called symmetrical trigger diodes due to the symmetry of their characteristic curve. Many claim DIACs have a three-layer structure with breakdown voltage around 30-45 volts. Stating this another way, "negative resistance characteristic, that is, voltage decreases with the increase in current." The switching from off-state to on-state is achieved by exceeding the avalanche break over voltage in either direction.Īn unusual characteristic is once the DIAC goes into conduction, the resistance drops rapidly sometimes called negative resistance. Again the terminal designations MT1 and MT2 are arbitrary.
Also see Simple DIAC Based Relaxation Oscillator Pulse GeneratorĪ DIAC is a two-electrode bidirectional "trigger diode" which can be switched from off-state to the on-state by either polarity of an applied AC voltage.