16 A RMS triac in a TO-220 through-hole package
The STMicroelectronics BTA16-600BRG is a standard triac rated for 16 A RMS on-state current and 600 V off-state voltage, housed in a TO-220-3 through-hole package. It is designed for AC switching applications such as motor speed controls, lighting dimmers, heating regulators, and solid-state relays where medium-current phase control is needed.
Gate drive and surge ratings that matter for the BOM
Maximum gate trigger current (Igt) is 50 mA and maximum gate trigger voltage (Vgt) is 1.3 V, which means a standard logic-level driver (e.g., a microcontroller GPIO through a transistor or optocoupler) can fire it without a separate driver IC. The 50 mA hold current (Ih) ensures the triac stays latched once triggered, provided the load current stays above that threshold during the conduction angle. Non-repetitive surge current is rated at 160 A for 50 Hz and 168 A for 60 Hz (one cycle). This surge capability is the key parameter for capacitive loads or motor start-up — if the inrush exceeds this, the triac may fail short. For a 16 A RMS design, a 168 A surge gives roughly a 10.5× margin over the steady-state rating, which is typical for resistive loads but should be checked against the specific load's inrush profile.