Hi folks,
My questions are about TRIACs.
I'm attempting to drive one from an optotriac.
There are a number of variables, and considerable searching of the net has not come up with much of use.
Q1) Zero crossing - I want to be kind to my load, so zero crossing detection seems like a good idea. Should I select both an optotriac AND a companion triac with ZC, or is it sufficient to use ZC on just one device? If so, which one?
Q2) Snubber networks - one of my loads will be a small pump (central heating circulator type). It will have some inductance, and I dont want my triac to latch on as a result - how does one calculate values for the RC snubber network? or is it just "one size fits (mostly) all? Other loads might be more or less inductive - its not quite known what they will be yet. Nothing "agriculturally huge".
Q3) Safety - an "off" mains relay is "kind of" safe - its physically no longer connected. how well do triacs shut off? i'm not planning on touching the terminals on a regular basis, but do they shut of well enough that should one make a mistake, one wont get a nasty surprise?
Thanks for any help!