STMicroelectronics BTB16-800CWRG

Overview

BTB16-800CWRG from STMicroelectronics is a 16 A, 800 V RMS insulated triac in TO-220AB package with Snubberless™ capability and 35 mA gate trigger current (IGT) in quadrants I/II/III. It operates up to 125 °C junction temperature, features 400 V/µs dV/dt immunity at 125 °C, and is UL1557 certified (E81734) for 2500 VRMS isolation - designed for phase-angle control in AC motor speed controllers driving inductive loads.

For engineers reviewing the BTB16-800CWRG datasheet, BTB16-800CWRG pinout, BTB16-800CWRG application, or BTB16-800CWRG equivalent, key selection criteria include insulated tab rating, snubberless commutation performance on inductive loads, gate sensitivity class (C = 35 mA standard), and thermal resistance (Rth(j-c) = 2.1 °C/W).

Technical Context

This triac supports 3-quadrant triggering (I/II/III) with logic-compatible gate drive, enabling robust turn-on under high dv/dt transients without external snubbers. Its internal ceramic insulation ensures 2500 VRMS isolation between MT2 and heatsink, meeting UL1557 requirements for safety-critical mains-connected equipment.

Designed for inductive load switching, it delivers minimum 500 V/µs critical dV/dt (at Tj = 125 °C, gate open) and 8.5 A/ms critical di/dt - parameters validated per IEC 61000-4-4 and IEC 61000-4-5 surge immunity standards for industrial AC control systems.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

BTB16-800CWRG uses an insulated TO-220AB package with three terminals: MT1 (Main Terminal 1), MT2 (Main Terminal 2), and Gate (G). The insulated tab (MT2) is electrically isolated from the metal mounting surface, enabling direct heatsink attachment without insulating washers.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar triac-based AC switching applications.

Compared with BTB16-800CWRG, BTA16-800CWRG trades isolation for lower cost and footprint flexibility, while BTB16-800BWRG sacrifices dV/dt immunity and gate sensitivity for higher trigger margin - making the CWRG variant optimal for new inductive-load designs requiring safety certification and snubberless operation.

Availability

BTB16-800CWRG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for AC motor speed controllers, industrial static relays, and light dimmer modules requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and UL-recognized safety compliance.

Supply support for BTB16-800CWRG includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing analog, power, MCU, and sensor solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

BTB16-800CWRG belongs to ST's high-reliability triac product line targeting mains-powered AC control applications - engineered specifically for snubberless inductive load switching with safety-certified insulation.

FAQ

What is the maximum junction temperature and thermal resistance of BTB16-800CWRG?

The device has a maximum operating junction temperature of +125 °C and a junction-to-case thermal resistance (Rth(j-c)) of 2.1 °C/W. This value is measured under AC conditions with the insulated TO-220AB package mounted to a heatsink using recommended torque (0.55 N·m). Derating curves in DS2114 show 16 A RMS is sustainable at TC = 86 °C.

Does BTB16-800CWRG require a heat sink in all applications?

Yes - sustained 16 A RMS operation requires active or passive heatsinking. At ambient temperatures above 40 °C or with limited airflow, a heatsink with thermal resistance ≤ 10 °C/W is recommended to maintain TJ ≤ 125 °C. The insulated tab allows direct mounting without mica washers, but thermal interface material must still be used.

How does the Snubberless™ feature eliminate the need for external snubber networks?

Snubberless™ operation is achieved through optimized silicon structure and internal layout that raise the critical dV/dt threshold to 400 V/µs (at 125 °C), preventing false turn-on during rapid voltage transients across inductive loads. This eliminates the RC snubber typically needed to suppress dv/dt-induced commutation failure in standard triacs.

Can BTB16-800CWRG be driven directly by a microcontroller GPIO?

No - direct GPIO drive is insufficient. The device requires a minimum 35 mA gate trigger pulse (12 V, 33 Ω load) for guaranteed turn-on in quadrants I/II/III. A discrete transistor buffer or optocoupler (e.g., MOC3021) is required to translate 3.3 V/5 V logic signals into compliant gate drive waveforms with proper timing and current compliance.