BTA16-600B - 16A 600V Standard TRIAC | STMicroelectronics
MPN: BTA16-600B β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.95 | $0.95 |
| 10 | $0.85 | $8.50 |
| 100 | $0.68 | $68.00 |
| 500 | $0.58 | $290.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.49 | $490.00 |
BTA16-600B Overview
A TRIAC (triode for alternating current) is a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor that conducts current in both directions once triggered by a gate pulse, making it the foundational switching device of the thyristor family for AC phase control. In the power-control hierarchy, the TRIAC sits alongside the SCR and AC switch, enabling direct switching of AC mains loads with a single semiconductor rather than back-to-back SCRs.
Key features include a 16 A RMS on-state current rating, 600 V blocking capability suitable for 230 VAC and 120 VAC mains, and the fully insulated TO-220AB package, which allows mounting directly to a grounded heatsink without an external isolation pad, improving thermal performance and safety. The glass-passivated die construction provides robust surge immunity.
The BTA16-600B is a standard (not snubberless) TRIAC with a gate sensitivity class denoted by the B suffix. Designers trigger it via negative or positive gate current relative to A1 using optocouplers or direct drive circuits. Four-quadrant triggering supports conventional phase-control topologies.
Typical applications include static relays, heating regulation, AC motor control, light dimmers, and general ON/OFF mains switching in appliances and industrial equipment.
A key design consideration: standard TRIACs require RC snubber networks when driving inductive loads such as motors, because the snubberless W variants (e.g., BTA16-600BW) trade commutation capability for noise immunity; verify gate sensitivity against your drive circuit.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, verified drop-in alternatives, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, as of 2026-09-10.
Drop-in alternatives for BTA16-600B β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with BTA16-600B (same form factor and footprint) β differing in Device Type, Mounting Type, Package, Typical Applications.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
BTA16-600BWRG
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.82 / Unit
View Datasheet βBTA16-600C
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BTB16-600B
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BTA12-600B
β Drop-In β οΈ εζ°εΎ ιͺθ―π Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BTA16-600B
β Drop-Inβ In Stock
$0.49 / Unit
View Datasheet βBTA16-600B Specifications
| Device Type | Standard TRIAC |
| IT(RMS) On-State RMS Current | 16 A |
| VDRM Repetitive Peak Off-State Voltage | 600 V |
| Package | TO-220AB (insulated, BTA type) |
| Die Technology | Glass passivated PNPN |
| Gate Sensitivity Class | B suffix |
| Triggering Quadrants | Quadrants 1-4 (standard TRIAC) |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole, tab for heatsink mounting |
| Typical Applications | Static relays, heating regulation, motor control, AC switching |
BTA16-600B Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | A1 β Main terminal 1 (gate reference terminal) |
| Pin 2 | A2 β Main terminal 2 (connected to insulated metal tab) |
| Pin 3 | G β Gate terminal (trigger relative to A1) |
Typical Applications
BTA16-600B is suitable for 6 applications: Static Relay (SSR) AC Switching, AC Motor Control, Heating Regulation, Light Dimmers, Home Appliance Power Control, Soft Start and Inrush Current Limiting.
Static Relay (SSR) AC Switching
The BTA16-600B serves as the output switch in solid-state relays replacing electromechanical contactors. Its 16 A RMS rating and 600 V blocking handle 230 VAC loads up to approximately 3.5 kW with adequate heatsinking, while the glass-passivated die provides the high surge capability SSRs need for lamp and capacitive load inrush. The insulated TO-220AB tab permits bolting directly to a grounded enclosure wall, simplifying safety isolation between control electronics and mains. The TRIAC is triggered at zero-cross or with phase angle via an optocoupler driver, delivering silent, wear-free switching with no contact arcing, and the 600 V margin covers mains transients on 230 VAC networks.
Recommended
AC Motor Control
For single-phase induction motor and universal motor control, the BTA16-600B is used in phase-angle or burst-firing circuits. Its 16 A capacity covers compressors, fans, pumps, and power tools, and its high surge rating absorbs motor starting inrush which can reach several times rated current. In these inductive applications, the standard (non-snubberless) grade must be protected by an RC snubber across A2-A1 to guarantee commutation at current zero-cross; the datasheet commutation dV/dt curve defines the snubber values. The B-suffix gate sensitivity suits robust optocoupler drive circuits that remain reliable across the industrial temperature range and with noisy mains environments.
Recommended
Heating Regulation
STMicroelectronics explicitly lists heating regulation as a target application for the BTA/BTB16 family. In resistive heater control for industrial ovens, soldering stations, water heaters, and hot plates, the BTA16-600B switches full AC cycles (burst firing) synchronized to zero-cross, minimizing EMI compared to phase control. The 16 A rating supports heater loads to roughly 3.5 kW at 230 VAC, and the high surge capability tolerates cold-resistance inrush of metallic heating elements. Because resistive loads commute naturally at current zero, the standard grade operates without snubbers in most heater designs, and the insulated TO-220AB package grounds safely to the appliance chassis heatsink.
Recommended
Light Dimmers
In incandescent and resistive lighting dimmers, the BTA16-600B performs phase-angle control with gate pulses derived from a diac or microcontroller-driven optocoupler. Its B-suffix gate sensitivity provides a good balance between immunity to false triggering from mains noise and drive simplicity. The 16 A rating addresses high-power dimming for stage lighting, commercial installations, and multi-lamp fixtures that exceed the 6-8 A capability of compact TRIACs. Designers should budget the conduction loss of roughly 1.3 V on-state voltage (verify in datasheet) at full load for heatsink sizing, and include an RC snubber plus dV/dt limiting for dimmers that also drive low-LED-load or inductive transformer lighting.
Recommended
Home Appliance Power Control
White goods and kitchen appliances - washing machine heaters and motors, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, coffee machines - use the BTA16-600B for mains load switching and speed control. The 600 V rating provides the margin required by appliance surge immunity standards on 230 VAC mains, and the insulated package simplifies compliance by allowing direct chassis mounting. In appliances that combine motor and heater loads on one controller, a single BTA16-600B per high-current load, driven from a microcontroller GPIO through optocouplers, replaces relays and eliminates contact wear. Designers should derate for enclosed, high-ambient environments above 50 C per cross-reference guidance.
Recommended
Soft Start and Inrush Current Limiting
The BTA16-600B can bypass NTC thermistors or implement phase-delayed soft start for power supplies and large transformers, ramping conduction angle from zero to full over several cycles to limit transformer inrush. Its high single-cycle surge capability makes it well matched to this role, since the first half-cycles carry the largest current stress. The 600 V rating withstands the voltage step that appears across the TRIAC before turn-on in 230 VAC rectifier front ends. A zero-cross detector plus MCU-controlled optocoupler forms a compact soft-start circuit, and the BTA16-600B remains conducting with low on-state loss once full conduction is reached.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for BTA16-600B β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | BTA16-600BWRG | BTA16-600C | BTB16-600B | BTA12-600B | BTA16-600B (WeEn) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TO-220AB (insulated) | TO-220AB (insulated) - same | TO-220AB (insulated) - same | TO-220AB (non-insulated tab) | TO-220AB (insulated) - same | TO-220AB (insulated) - same |
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | WeEn Semiconductors |
| IT(RMS) On-State Current | 16 A | 16 A | 16 A | 16 A | 12 A | 16 A |
| VDRM Off-State Voltage | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V | 600 V |
| Gate Sensitivity Class | B suffix (standard) | W suffix (snubberless) | C suffix (higher sensitivity) | B suffix (standard) | B suffix (standard) | B suffix (standard) |
| Tab Isolation | Insulated | Insulated | Insulated | Not insulated (tab = A2) | Insulated | Insulated |
| Recommended Snubber | Required for inductive loads | Not required (snubberless grade) | Required for inductive loads | Required for inductive loads | Required for inductive loads | Required for inductive loads |
Key Differentiators
- Insulated tab for grounded heatsink mounting (vs BTB16-600B)
- Full 16 A RMS rating in a commodity package (vs BTA12-600B)
- Standard-grade commutation behavior (vs BTA16-600BWRG)
Design Notes
Estimated: with a VTM of approximately 1.3-1.55 V (verify exact value in the datasheet) and 16 A RMS load, conduction loss is roughly 15-20 W. The TO-220AB tab must be bolted to a heatsink; without one, the package dissipates only a few watts safely. Junction-to-case thermal resistance for this family is on the order of 2-3 C/W (verify in datasheet), so heatsink selection must keep Tj below the maximum rating at worst-case ambient and load. Derate IT(RMS) linearly above the rated case temperature per the datasheet derating curve, and derate further in enclosed enclosures above 50 C.
Phase-angle control generates steep current edges that produce broadband conducted EMI on the mains. Install a mains-rated X2-capacitor LC or pi filter between the TRIAC and the mains input, sized for the load current. Burst-firing at zero-cross (preferred for heaters) eliminates most of this problem. Use short, wide PCB traces for the A2 load path and keep the gate drive loop compact; a small resistor (typically 47-100 ohm) in series with the gate damps ringing and improves dV/dt immunity.
Do not substitute generic 'BTA16 equivalents' without checking voltage class: cross-reference guidance warns that mislabeled 400 V parts (BTA16-400B) fail catastrophically above roughly 350 V peaks on 230 VAC mains. The standard B grade requires an RC snubber for inductive loads (motors, transformers); omitting it causes re-triggering after current zero. Ensure the gate drive delivers several times the B-suffix trigger current over the full temperature range, and never rely on the tab being ground - it is insulated, so verify A2 routing separately.
Compliance Information
Compliance data was not present in the retrieved web data; verify RoHS/REACH status on the official STMicroelectronics product page before procurement.
