The one sign that someone is highly intelligent, according to genius inventor Nikola Tesla
#alternatingcurrent
A Guide To Using Triacs For Switching AC https://hackaday.com/2026/01/18/a-guide-to-using-triacs-for-switching-ac/
#Hardware #Ac #Alternatingcurrent #Electronics #Guide #Irrigation #Solidstate #Sprinkler #Switching #Transistor #TRIAC
A Guide To Using Triacs For Switching AC
https://web.brid.gy/r/https://hackaday.com/2026/01/18/a-guide-to-using-triacs-for-switching-ac/
![<div><img alt="" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" height="450" src="https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/triac-main.png?w=800" style="margin: 0 auto; margin-bottom: 15px;" width="800" /></div><p>For switching high-powered loads from a microcontroller, or for switching AC loads in general, most of us will reach into the parts bin and pull out a generic relay of some sort. Relays are fundamental, proven technologies to safely switch all kinds of loads. They do have their downsides, though, so if you need silent operation, precise timing, or the ability to operate orders of magnitude more times you might want to look at a triac instead. These solid state devices can switch AC loads unlike other transistor-based devices <a href="https://opensprinkler.com/using-triacs-to-switch-24-vac-sprinkler-solenoids/" target="_blank">and [Ray] at OpenSprinkler is here to give us an overview on how to use them</a>.</p>
<p>The key to switching an AC load is bi-directional conductivity. A normal transistor or diode can only conduct in one direction, so if you try to switch an AC load with one of these you’ll end up with what essentially amounts to a bad rectifier. Triacs do have a “gate” analogous to the base of a bipolar junction transistor, but the gate will trigger the triac when current flows in either direction as well. The amount of current needed to trigger the triac does depend on the state of the switched waveform, so it can be more complex](https://files.mastodon.social/cache/media_attachments/files/115/920/102/622/468/218/original/e6856b3e2fc3e33a.png)
Alternating current in the news.
"On Saturday morning all three countries desynchronized from the Russian BRELL ring electricity grid, a hangover from the Soviet-era. They then spent almost 36 hours carrying out tests before syncing with the European grid via Poland.
"The desynchronization process took 17 years and cost €1.6 billion, of which 75 percent was funded by the European Union.
"The Baltic states were the last three EU member states whose electricity networks were still operating fully within the Russian and Belarusian system. The electricity frequency was centrally controlled by Moscow, leaving them vulnerable to Russia's weaponization of energy."
https://news.err.ee/1609600139/historic-moment-baltic-states-synchronize-with-european-electricity-grid
@jpm @RadioAzureus anywhere where people just have single phase AC power connections has this problem
There are a lot of countries which are only single phase primarily; you have to pay a premium to get dual or triple-phased power at your home
#Electronica #Electronics #AlternatingCurrent #Physics #YMVK
I have, the new breaker has a higher Amperage.I have also divided The Load of the heating elements between two breakers. One = 16 Amperes the other is 20 Amperes.
The motivation of that division is even a 20 Ampere breaker cannot take three of those heating elements at full load. On One Phase a 16 Ampere breaker can take 16 * 127 Volts = 2032 Watts. A 20 Ampere breaker can take 20 * 127 Volts = 2540 Watts < 3200 Watts
#Electronica #Electronics #AlternatingCurrent #Physics #YMVK
Have you installed the new breaker already?
#Electronica #Electronics #AlternatingCurrent #Physics #YMVK
The replacement breaker will be installed within the current 24Hrs
#Electronica #Electronics #AlternatingCurrent #Physics #YMVK
I did not do the V*A multiplication which is neglectfull at the least. Max 2032Watts per 16A breaker. Since my cables can take 26 up to 32A, I will replace current breaker with 20A slow react
Source for the 26A rating in wall is on this UK site.
https://quickbit.co.uk/blog/electrical-cable-guides/4mm-twin-and-earth-current-carrying-capacity/
#Electronica #Electronics #AlternatingCurrent #Physics #YMVK
Maximum current rating capacity of 4mm^2 cable = 32A
Use 26A as a guide for socketed cable (in or on wall {YMVK})
I needed this data verified because a breaker @16A tripped twice when I used heating elements on one breaker using one double outlet.
https://electriciansserviceteam.com/faq/maximum-current-carrying-capacity-of-a-4mm-cable/
#Electronica #Electronics #AlternatingCurrent #Physics #YMVK
A thought - With so much #residentialsolar being installed - I wonder to what degree in the future a second #directcurrent supply will become common within the home. I know that #unitedstates homes have both #110V and #220V #alternatingcurrent circuits - but given how much #12volt stuff we have in our house I've started to consider including 12vDC feeds (Potentially wiring #cat6 #poe )
#solar
FNET/GridEye: Global scale monitoring of power grids. Click the map links, etc for interesting views
https://fnetpublic.utk.edu/index.html
#alternatingcurrent #infrastructure #electricity #power #grid #ac #+
#TIL you can tell if somebody is being electrocuted by AC (#alternatingcurrent) or DC (#directcurrent) electricity.
If they're frozen still, it's DC. If they're spasming and convulsing, it's AC.
Either way, they're having a bad time.
A pleasant Friday morning waking up to the news that I got nominated for #BestMicrofiction twice this year! Thanks to #AlternatingCurrent and editor @writesloud for publishing such a great, wide-ranging anthology, and it's wonderful to be nominated alongside my pals @kcmeadbrewer, @tommydean & other great writers!
High Current Measurement Probe For Oscilloscopes
A decent current measurement sensor ought to be an essential part of every hacker's workbench. One that is capable of measuring DC, as well as low and high frequencies with reasonable accuracy. And bonus credits if it can also withstand high bus voltages - such as those found in mains utility or electric vehicle work. [Undersilicon] couldn't find one that ticked all the boxes, so he built an ACS730 based AC/DC current probe capable of measuring up to 25 A at frequencies up to 1 MHz.
Allegro Microsystems has a wide offering of current sensor IC's. The ACS730 features a -3 dB bandwidth of 1 MHz, and -1 dB bandwidth of 500 kHz. Since it is galvanically isolated, it can be used in AC mains applications up to 297 Vrms and for DC up to 420 V. And as he intended to use it as an oscilloscope accessory, the analog output suited the application nicely. A pair of precision op-amps provide the voltage output scaled to 100 mV/A. The board is powered off a 1000 mAh LiPo battery that can run the sensor for about 15 ~ 20 hours. The power supply section consists of a charge circuit for the LiPo, and a split rail dual output power supply converter for the op-amps.
The ACS730 has a 2.5 V output when measured current is zero, and is scaled for 40 mV/A. This gives an output voltage swing from -0.5 V for -50 A to +4.5 V for +50 A. This is where the AD823ARZ dual 16 MHz, Rail-to-Rail FET Input Amplifiers step in. One pair is used to obtain a 2.5 V reference from the 5 V supply, and also to buffer the analog output from the ACS730. The second pair subtracts the 2.5 V offset, and applies a gain of 2.5 to get the 100 mV/A output. Dual power supply for the op-amps comes from a TPS65133 Split-Rail Converter, ±5V, 250mA Dual Output Power Supply. Lastly, LiPo charging is handled by the MCP73831 Single Cell, Li-Ion/Li-Polymer Charge Management Controller.
Initial testing of direct currents has shown fairly accurate performance. But he's observed some noise when measuring currents below 1 A which requires some debugging to figure out the source. [Undersilicon] has provided the CAD files for both the PCB and 3D printed enclosure, giving you access to everything you need to build one yourself. If you're looking for something a bit more heavy duty, you might be interested in this +/-50 A, 1.5 MHz sensor encased in concrete.
#hardware #toolhacks #acs730 #ad823arz #alternatingcurrent #current #currentmeasurement #currentmeter #currentsensor #directcurrent #mcp73831 #tps65133
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