Liquid Level Controller Using TRIAC: Experiment #5

Experiment #5
Liquid level Controller Using TRIAC

The TRIAC is a three terminal semiconductor device for controlling current. It gains its name
from term TRIode for alternating current.
It is effectively development of SCR or thyristor which is only able to conduct in one direction,
the TRIAC is a bidirectional device.
TRIAC/thyristor comparison
The TRIAC is an ideal device to use for AC switching applications because it can control the
current flow over both halves of an alternating cycle. A thyristor is only able to control them
over one half of a cycle. During the remaining half no conduction occurs and accordingly only
half the waveform can be utilized.
Typical/idealized TRIAC and thyristor switching waveforms

The fact that TRIAC can be used to control current switching on both halves of an alternating
waveform allows much better power utilization. However the TRIAC is not always as convenient
for some high power applications where its switching is more difficult.
TRIAC symbol
The circuit symbol recognizes the way in which the TRIAC operates. Seen from the outside it
may be viewed as two back to back thyristors and this is what the circuit symbol indicates.
On the TRIAC symbol there are three terminals. These are the GATE and two other terminals
are often referred to as an “Anode” or “Main terminal”. As the TRIAC has two of these they are
labeled either Anode 1 and Anode 2 or Main Terminal, MT1 and MT2.
TRIAC basics
The TRIAC is a component that is effectively based on the thyristor. It provides AC switching for
electrical systems. Like the thyristor the TRIACs are used in many electrical switching
applications. They find particular use for circuits in light dimmers etc, where they enable both
halves of the AC cycle to be used. This makes them more efficient in terms of the usage of the
power available. While it is possible to use thyristors back to back, this is not always cost
effective for low cost and relatively low power applications.
It is possible to view the operation of a TRIAC in terms of two thyristors placed back to back.
One of the drawbacks of the TRIAC is that it does not switch symmetrically. It will often have an
offset, switching at different gate voltages for each half of the cycle. This creates additional
harmonics which is not good for EMC performance and also provide an imbalance in the
system.
In order to improve the switching of the current waveform and ensure it is more symmetrical is
to use a device external to the TRIAC to time the triggering pulse. A DIAC placed in series with
the gate is the normal method of achieving this
DIAC and TRIAC connected together
Advantages and disadvantages

When requiring switching both halves of an AC waveform there are two options that are
normally considered. One is to use a TRIAC and other is to use two thyristors connected back to
back- one thyristor is used to switch one half of the cycle and the second connected in the
reverse direction operates on the other half cycle.
As there are two options the advantages and disadvantages of using a TRIAC must be weighed
up.
Advantages
● Can switch both halves of an AC waveform
● Single component can be used for full AC switching
Disadvantages
● A TRIAC does not fire symmetrically on both sides of the waveform.
● Switching gives rise to high level of harmonics due to non-symmetrical switching.
● More susceptible to EMI problems as a result of the non-symmetrical switching.
● Care must be taken to ensure the TRIAC turn off fully when used with inductive loads.
Despite what may seem like a number of disadvantages, it is still the best option for many
circumstances, however when using a TRIAC, it is necessary to be aware of its limitations so
that these can be satisfactorily addressed and overcome should they affect the operation of the
overall circuit in any significant way.
Applications
TRIACs are used in a number of applications. However they tend not be used in high power
switching applications – one of the reason for this is the non-symmetrical switching
characteristics. For high power applications this creates a number of difficulties especially with
electromagnetic interference.
However TRIACs are still used for many electrical switching applications:
● Domestic light dimmers
● Electric fan speed controls
● Small motor controls
● Control of small AC powered domestic appliances
The TRIAC is easy to use and provides cost advantages over the use of two thyristors for many
low power applications. Where higher powers are needed, two thyristors placed in “anti-
parallel” are almost always used.
The TRIAC is an electronic component that is widely used in many circuit applications, ranging
from light dimmers through to various forms of AC control. It is generally only used for lower
power applications, thyristors generally being used for the high power switching circuits.
Liquid level controller
Liquid level controllers are widely used in industries to automate the filling of the tanks. They
are also used in household application to automate the working of the pump. The liquid level
controller is based on logic gates which triggers the motor for certain conditions. A logical
circuit is required to achieve the conditions, which is constructed using NOR gate and hex
inverter in the experiment. Two tanks are used in which one is over-head tank and other is
reservoir (underground). The underground tank has only two sensing level i.e. empty or full
while the overhead tank has three level i.e. full, medium and empty. The truth table or NOR
Gate is given below, while the purpose of Hex inverter is to provide a logic inversion and a
buffer to avoid oxidation in the water.
EXPERIMENT LIQUID LEVEL CONTROLLER
OBJECTIVE:
1. Understanding the principle of liquid level controllers.
2. Performing a liquid level controller with digital circuits.
DISCUSSION:
Liquid level controllers are widely used in industrial control systems. In a building the liquid
level controllers are used to control the water levels in tanks either in the basement or on the
roof.
The liquid level sensors can be floats or conductive probes. In this experiment we use logic
circuits and probes to detect water levels and use TRIAC to control the pump motor on and off.
The circuit is shown in fig. 20-1. The operation of the circuit is described as follows.
Fig. 20-1 Experiment Circuit
The logic gates NOT and NOR are used in this circuit. There are two tanks in the circuit of fig.
20-. The tank1 with probes D and E represents the tank in the basement. The other, tank2 with
probes A,B and C refers to the tank on the roof. The pump motor is controlled by the TRIAC.
The trigger signal is connected to the cathode of the TRIAC. The purpose is to isolate the AC and
DC power source
When the water level tank 1 is too low to make the probes conducting, the input of NOT gate
(pin 7) is low so that its output (pin 6) is high. This high level to the NOT input (pin 5) causes the
output (pin 4) to low. Therefore Q2, TRIAC, and motor are off.
If the water level in tank 1 is enough to make probes D and E to conduct, the output of NOT
gate (pin4) goes high to drive Q2 on. At this time if the water level in tank2 is low, voltage levels
at points B and C are low. The input of NOR gate (pin8) is high and the output (pin10) becomes
low. The output of NOR (pin11) is high due to the inputs (pin 12 and 13) are high. The high level
drives Q1 to conduct. Since both Q1 and Q2 are on. TRIAC thus turns on and the motor runs to
pump water up to tank2.
When the water level rises to touch probe B, the voltage level at point B becomes high and
causes the output of NOT gate (pin 15) to low. Since the input (pin 9) of NOR gate is connected
to pin 11., the voltage at pin 10 remains low. The motor continues to run.
When water level reaches probe C, the input of NOR gate (pin 13) is high so that pin11 goes
low. Q1 is off and therefore the motor stops.

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Experiment #5

Liquid level Controller Using TRIAC

Typical/idealized TRIAC and thyristor switching waveforms

Advantages and disadvantages

EXPERIMENT LIQUID LEVEL CONTROLLER

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