Alternistor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alternistor is a trade name for a proprietary class of TRIAC with an improved turn-off (commutation) characteristic made by the Teccor company.
These devices are made specifically for improved commutation when controlling a highly-inductive load, such as a motor, an application which causes problems to "normal" triacs due to high voltage/current angles. Most triacs' commutation with inductive loads can be improved by use of a "Snubber network", but alternistors are made specifically for this purpose and they dispose of the snubber requirement altogether.
Majority of other semiconductor manufacturers, such as ST Microelectronics and Philips have their own versions of improved commutation triac, but they are not marketing them under the proprietary "Alternistor" moniker.
