Affordable Triac & Thyristor tester - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Neshco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2025, 09:21:45 pm
content: Is there some cheaper version for testing Triacs and Thyristors then Peak SCR100 Atlas Pro?I know this device is nice, but a bit pricey for the beginner.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2025, 10:36:08 pm
content: a simple tester is fairly simple and cheap to knock up if your just after a good/bad result,plenty of such circuits are on t'internet ,however you want something to test and identify the model then your gonna have to pays your money

author: UnijunctionTransistor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 03:04:49 am
content: If all you require is a simple go/no-go functional test, a simple fixture consisting of a pot, capacitor, Diac and a small incandescent lamp is all that you require.Now, if you want to characterize the gate sensitivity, it becomes a little more involved, but not too much.

author: Neshco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 05:11:43 am
content: Thank you guys, I am aware of the simple methods to test it, work/not work, but I was thinking of the more convenient device packed in the simple plastic case, some Chinese thing like there is for the transistors and diodes, really cheap stuff that do the job. Not as good as DCA75 for example, but just fine for hobbyists like I am.This deviceseller for example claim that it can test triacs as well, but I am not sure if its trurh. They love to write bunch of it, just to atract people. This device have good reputation for the transistors and diodes but not sure if can catch triacs and thyristors...

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 07:56:50 am
content: The universal transistor tester you link is your best options, they exist from many brands and are all based on the same software that can test a wide variety of components. They are not perfect, but pretty good.They have the same issue as the Atlas, the trigger current is limited and for that reason they cannot check big triac/SCR.

author: Neshco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 11:15:29 am
content: Quote from: HKJ on September 03, 2025, 07:56:50 amGot it, thank you.Regarding the test devices that can trigger those that require more current, is there such a things affordable?So, you think that Peak electronics device would not bring some advantage comparing to this Chinese one?

author: HKJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 11:46:00 am
content: Quote from: Neshco on September 03, 2025, 11:15:29 amThey may exist, but I do not know about them.Quote from: Neshco on September 03, 2025, 11:15:29 amThe Peak has higher gate current than the cheap one. The cheap one uses microprocessor pins directly (With series resistors), the Peak has some extra electronic, that gives higher voltage and more current and I would guess better precision (Not that precision is very important in that kind of tester).I have most Peak testers, but I probably uses the cheap one more, because it is so universal and easy for simple tests.

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 12:02:14 pm
content: The cheap chinese semiconductor component testers do a great job of all the usual components you find on circuit boards including the typical triacs used for the usual mains switching.If you want to test the giant >1000A rated hockey puck SCRs then yeah that likely won't do it.But keep in mind these devices can also be "walking dead" where they still operate under gentle test conditions but then fail once ran at high power. This can be anything from being inconsistent to trigger, or avalanche on their own at a certain high voltage, or even as subtle as being more sensitive to dV/dT false triggering. You need much more sophisticated testing to weed those out.

author: Neshco
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2025, 12:06:10 pm
content: Thank you all guys, guess I will not need to go for those monsters, give some big money for something that will probably use once a year or never.Will try this Chinese one and maybe one day improve if needed with Peak SCR100.