CHOOSING THE PROPER TRIAC TO DRIVE THE LOAD:
An electronic AC switch called a Triac is used to turn the AC load on and off and
make the flashing patterns for the sign. The Controller board sends the on / off signal
to the triac following the pattern programmed into its memory chip.
There are two maximum AC current levels that ALDOR Triacs can switch,
10 Amps (per point) and 20 Amps (per point).
The 20 Amp Triacs can have their outputs tied in parallel and can drive multiples of 20 Amps
(i.e. 40, 60, 80, 100 & 120 Amps per point).
To select the proper Triac it is necessary to calculate the AC current that
will be needed to turn on the load (lamps and / or neon transformers).
To calculate this value it is important to add up ALL the AC current loads on a given point.
The neon transformers will have a primary voltage and current rating listed by the
manufacturer.
Any bulbs will also have such a rating.
Use all of this data to get an accurate picture of the load structure of each point.
Some lamp manufacturers supply the inrush current rating (initial on current) for their products
and it is advisable to use this value as the AC current for calculating the total load.
Note that the inrush current for an incandescent bulb can be up to 8 times the "on" current
rating for the lamp. (i.e. a 100 Ma. lamp may draw 800 Ma. when it is first turned on).
Use this table to determine the proper amount, and type, of triac needed. Make a note
on the list you made showing the triac(s) necessary to drive each point.
Total AC current / point triac to use
.1 to 7 Amps one 10 Amp triac
>7 Amps to 16 Amps one 20 Amp triac
>16 Amps to 32 Amps two 20 Amp triacs in parallel
>32 Amps to 48 Amps three 20 Amp triacs in parallel
>48 Amps to 64 Amps four 20 Amp triacs in parallel
>64 Amps to 80 Amps five 20 Amp triacs in parallel
>80 Amps to 96 Amps six 20 Amp triacs in parallel
* SECOND *
Selecting the proper triac boards from the ALDOR product line is the second
step.
Mixing different loads across a range of different size Triac boards is a common practice.
If you need 10 Amp triacs ALDOR sells boards with 4 triacs
mounted on a board and one with 12 triacs mounted on a board.
If a 20 Amp triac is needed ALDOR sells boards with 6 triacs mounted on a board.
4 POINT, 10 AMP PER POINT TRIAC BOARD PART NUMBER PCB10T4
12 POINT, 10 AMP PER POINT TRIAC BOARD PART NUMBER PCB10T12
6 POINT, 20 AMP PER POINT TRIAC BOARD PART NUMBER PCB20T6
This next link is to get you familiar with our method of writing up the "Programming Worksheet".
This sheet allows us to communicate with you about the animation sequences using a common
document. Each point of animation is shown on the work sheet. Its on and off patterns are
marked on the sheet one after the other, step-by-step, from start to stop. Once the worksheet has
been completed and is approved by you we will write the program onto a chip that plugs into
the controller board. * click here *
