7.7 Optothyristors

Like bipolar transistors, SCRs and TRIACs are also manufactured as light-sensitive devices, the action of impinging light replacing the function of triggering voltage.

Optically-controlled SCRs are often known by the acronym LASCR, or Light Activated SCR. Its symbol, not surprisingly, looks like Figure below.

Light activated SCR

Light activated SCR

Optically-controlled TRIACs don’t receive the honor of having their own acronym, but instead are humbly known as opto-TRIACs. Their schematic symbol is shown in Figure below.

Opto-TRIAC

Opto-TRIAC

Optothyristors (a general term for either the LASCR or the opto-TRIAC) are commonly found inside sealed “optoisolator” modules.

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