16 A RMS, 800 V — the load-switching ceiling in a TO-220
The BTB16-800BWRG is a Snubberless™ Alternistor triac from STMicroelectronics, rated for 16 A RMS on-state current and 800 V off-state voltage in a TO-220 through-hole package. The 800 V blocking voltage provides margin above 230/277 VAC line peaks and common transients, reducing avalanche risk in industrial or appliance power stages. As an Alternistor (Snubberless) type, it commutates inductive loads — motors, solenoids, valves — without the external RC snubber network that a standard triac requires, simplifying the BOM and saving board space.
Surge robustness and gate drive requirements
Non-repetitive surge current is rated 160 A at 50 Hz and 168 A at 60 Hz — this covers the inrush from motor starting or capacitive loads without exceeding the die's thermal capacity. Gate trigger current (Igt) is 50 mA max, and gate trigger voltage (Vgt) is 1.3 V max — these levels are compatible with standard optocoupler or MCU-driven gate drive circuits, though a series resistor is still needed to limit gate current. Hold current (Ih) is 50 mA max, meaning the triac will self-latch once triggered as long as the load current stays above this threshold; below it the device turns off at the next zero-crossing.
Active production, ROHS3, and sourcing posture
The part is ROHS3 Compliant, covering all six original RoHS substances plus the four phthalates added in EU 2015/863 — no exemption expiry risk for EU or similar regulated markets.