MOC3041 (Zero-Cross TRIAC Driven Optocoupler)
An opto-isolator like MOC3041 is normally used to control another external switching device like a TRIAC, MOSFET or SCR which in turn will control an AC or DC load. The TRIAC present inside the MOC3041 can provide upto 1A peak current which is high enough to trigger an external switch. The TRIAC by itself should not be used to switch loads without an external switch.
Since the MOC3041 has built-in Zero crossing detector it is mostly used in switching AC loads. A Zero cross detector will monitor for the 0V in output sine wave and turn on the internal TRIAC only during 0V. This way the LOAD will not be subjected to peak voltage when switching.
MOC3041 for Switching AC loads
MOC3041 is commonly used in AC motor speed control, Light dimmers or other home automation application where AC load is involed. A typical application circuit diagram to control an ACload using a Microcontroller is shown below
The internal IR LED is connected between pin 1 and pin 2. The voltage source Vcc should be able to provide 15mA through resistor Rin to the Anode pin of the LED. The NAND gate connects the Cathode pin of the LED to ground based on a PWM signal from the microcontroller. So one input pin of NAND gate will be connected to ground while the other is connected to the PWM signal.
Based on the PWM signal the LED will be turned on at particular interval for which the internal TRIAC will also be turned on. When the internal TRIAC is turned on it switches the external TRIAC which in turn controls the AC load. The 39 ohms Resistor and the 0.01uF capacitors forma an optional Snubber circuit. Thus based on the duty cycle of the PWM the output voltage will also vary which enables us the control the speed of intensity of the load.
Applications
- AC Light dimmers
- Contactor / Relay Control
- AC motor speed control
- Noise coupling circuits
- Controlling AC loads using MCU/MPU
- Ac/DC Power control
- Solenoid / Valve control
2D-Model
- Opto-isolator with Zero-Crossing Triac Driver
- Input LED Diode Forward Voltage: 1.3V
- LED Forward Trigger Current: 15mA
- TRIAC output terminal voltage: 400V (max)
- TRIAC peak output current: 1A
- Available as 6-pin PDIP with and without M-suffix