ACS120

Overvoltage protected AC switch (ACS)

Datasheet - production data

Applications
 AC static switching in appliance control
systems
COM  Drive of low power high inductive or resistive
loads like:
– Relay, valve, solenoid, dispenser
OUT – Pump, fan, micro-motor
G G
DPAK TO-220FPAB COM
– Defrost heater
OUT
COM
Description
The ACS120 belongs to the AC line switch family.
This high-performance switch circuit is able to
G control a load of up to 2 A.
COM
OUT The ACS switch embeds a high-voltage clamping
TO-220AB structure to absorb the inductive turn-off energy
and a gate level shifter driver to separate the
digital controller from the main switch. It is
triggered with a negative gate current flowing out
Features of the gate pin.

 Blocking voltage: VDRM / VRRM = +/- 700 V Figure 1. Functional diagram

 Avalanche controlled: VCL typ. = 1100 V OUT
 Nominal conducting current: IT(RMS) = 2 A
 Gate triggering current: IGT < 10 mA
 High noise immunity: static dV/dt > 500 V/µs
– Needs no more external protection snubber G
or varistor
– Enables equipment to meet IEC 61000-4-5
– Reduces component count up to 80%
– Interfaces directly with the micro controller
– Eliminates any gate kick back on the micro- COM
COM Common drive reference to connect
controller
to the mains
– Allows straightforward connection of OUT Output to connect to the load.
several AC switches on same cooling pad G Gate input to connect to the controller
through gate resistor

March 2022 DS3279 Rev 5 1/17

This is information on a product in full production. www.st.com
Characteristics ACS120

1 Characteristics

Table 1. Absolute ratings (limiting values)

for either positive or negative polarity of pin OUT voltage in respect to pin COM voltage
Symbol Parameter Value Unit

VDRM/VRRM Repetitive peak off-state voltage 700 V

DPAK TC = 119 °C
On-state RMS current full cycle sine wave
IT(RMS) TO-220FPAB TC = 117 °C 2 A
50 to 60 Hz
TO-220AB TC = 119 °C

Non repetitive surge peak on-state current tP = 20 ms 20 A

ITSM
TJ initial = 25 °C, full cycle sine wave tP = 16.7 ms 21 A
I 2t Fusing capability tP = 10 ms 2.6 A 2s
Repetitive on-state current critical rate of
dI/dt Tj = 125 °C f = 120 Hz 50 A/µs
rise IG = 10 mA (tr < 100 ns)
VPP Non repetitive line peak pulse voltage(1) 2 kV
Tstg Storage temperature range - 40 to + 150 °C
TJ Operating junction temperature range - 30 to + 125 °C
TL Maximum lead soldering temperature during 10 s 260 °C
1. According to test described by IEC 61000-4-5 standard and Figure 17.

Table 2. Switch Gate characteristics (maximum values)

Symbol Parameter Value Unit

PG(AV) Average gate power dissipation 0.1 W

IGM Peak gate current (tP = 20 µs) 1 A
VGM Peak positive gate voltage (in respect to pin COM) 5 V

Table 3. Thermal resistances

Symbol Parameter Value Unit

S = 0.5 cm2(1) DPAK 70 °C/W

Rth (j-a) Junction to ambient TO-220FPAB 60 °C/W
TO-220AB 60 °C/W
DPAK 2.6 °C/W
Rth (j-c) Junction to case TO-220FPAB 3.5 °C/W
TO-220AB 2.6 °C/W
1. S = Copper surface under tab

2/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 Characteristics

Table 4. Parameter description

Symbol Parameter description

IGT Triggering gate current

VGT Triggering gate voltage
VGD Non-triggering gate voltage
IH Holding current
IL Latching current
VTM Peak on-state voltage drop
VTO On-state threshold voltage
Rd On-state dynamic resistance
IDRM / IRRM Maximum forward or reverse leakage current
dV/dt Critical rate of rise of off-state voltage
(dV/dt)c Critical rate of rise of commutating off-state voltage
(dI/dt)c Critical rate of decrease of commutating on-state current
VCL Clamping voltage
ICL Clamping current

Table 5. Electrical characteristics

Symbol Test conditions Values Unit

IGT VOUT = 12V (DC), RL = 140 Ω QII -QIII TJ = 25 °C Max. 10 mA

VGT VOUT = 12V (DC), RL = 140 Ω QII -QIII TJ = 25 °C Max. 1 V
VGD VOUT = VDRM, RL = 3.3 kΩ TJ = 125 °C Min. 0.15 V
IH IOUT = 100 mA gate open TJ = 25 °C Max. 45 mA
IL IG = 20 mA TJ = 25 °C Max. 65 mA
VTM IOUT = 2.8 A, tp = 380 µs TJ = 25 °C Max. 1.3 V
VTO TJ = 125 °C Max. 0.85 V
Rd TJ = 125 °C Max. 200 mΩ
TJ= 25 °C Max. 2
IDRM /IRRM VOUT = 700 V µA
TJ = 125 °C Max. 200
dV/dt VOUT = 460 V gate open TJ = 110 °C Min. 500 V/µs
(dI/dt)c (dV/dt)c = 20 V/µs TJ = 125 °C Min. 1 A/ms
VCL ICL = 1 mA, tp = 1 ms TJ = 25 °C Typ. 1100 V

DS3279 Rev 5 3/17

17
Characteristics ACS120

Figure 2. Maximum power dissipation versus Figure 3. On-state RMS current versus case
RMS on-state current temperature

3: I (RMS)(A)
T
2.4 2.4
2.2 2.2 Į ƒ TO-220AB/DPAK
2.0 Į ƒ 2.0
1.8 1.8 TO-220FPAB

1.6 1.6
1.4 1.4
1.2 1.2
1.0 1.0
0.8 0.8
0.6 0.6
ƒ
0.4 Į 0.4
0.2 Į 0.2 T ƒ&
I (RMS)(A) c
T 0.0
0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 0 25 50 75 100 125

Figure 4. On-state RMS current versus ambient Figure 5. Relative variation of thermal
temperature impedance versus pulse duration

IT $ K = [Zth/Rth]
506
1.8 1.E+00
DPAK TO-220AB
1.6 Zth(j-c)
Į ƒ TO-220FPAB
1.4 3ULQWHGFLUFXLWERDUG)5
QDWXUDOFRQYHFWLRQ DPAK
1.2 6 FPð

1.0 Zth(j-a)
1.E-01
0.8 TO-220FPAB
TO-220AB
0.6
0.4
0.2
7DPE ƒ& t (s)
0.0 p
1.E-02
0 25 50 75 100 125 1.E-02 1.E-01 1.E+00 1.E+01 1.E+02 1.E+03

Figure 6. Relative variation of gate trigger, Figure 7. Relative variation of static dV/dt
holding and latching current versus junction versus junction temperature
temperature

IGT, IH, IL [ Tj ] / IGT, IH, IL [ Tj = 25 °C] dV/dt [ Tj ] / dV/dt [ Tj = 125 °C]

8
4.0
3.5 7 VOUT = 460 V

3.0 IGT 6

2.5 5

2.0 4

1.5 3

1.0 IL / IH 2

0.5 1
Tj(°C) Tj(°C)
0.0 0
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 25 50 75 100 125

4/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 Characteristics

Figure 8. Relative variation of critical rate of Figure 9. Relative variation of critical rate of
decrease of main current versus reapplied decrease of main current versus junction
dV/dt (typical values) temperature

(dl/dt)c [ (dV/dt)c ] / specified (dl/dt)c (dl/dt)c [ Tj ] / (dl/dt)c [ Tj = 125 °C]

5.0 20
4.5 18
4.0 16
3.5 14
3.0 12
2.5 10
2.0 8
1.5 6
1.0 4
2 T (°C)
0.5 (dV/dt)c(V/μs) j

0.0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 25 50 75 100 125

Figure 10. Surge peak on-state current versus Figure 11. Non repetitive surge peak on-state
number of cycles current for a sinusoidal pulse with
width tp < 10 ms

ITSM(A) ITSM(A)
22 1000
dl/dt limitation = 50 A/μs Tj initial = 25 °C
20 Non repetitive initial Tj = 25 °C
18 t=20ms
ITSM
16
One cycle
14 100
12
10
8 Repetitive Tc = 117 °C
10
6
4
TO-220FPAB
2
Number of cycles tp(ms)
0
1
1 10 100 1000
0.01 0.10 1.00 10.00

Figure 12. On-state characteristics Figure 13. Thermal resistance junction to

(maximum values) ambient versus copper surface under tab

ITM(A) Rth(j-a)(°C/W)
10.00 100
Tj max: Printed circuit board FR4, DPAK
Vto = 0.85 V 90
Rd Pȍ
copper thickness = 35 μm
80

70
1.00
60
Tj = 125 °C
50

Tj = 25 °C 40
0.10
30

20

VTM (V) 10 S(cm²)

0.01 0
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

DS3279 Rev 5 5/17

17
AC line switch basic application ACS120

2 AC line switch basic application

The ACS120 device is well adapted to washing machine, dishwasher, tumble drier,
refrigerator, air-conditioning systems, and cookware. It has been designed especially to
switch on and off low power loads such as solenoid, valve, relay, dispenser, micro-motor,
pump, fan and defrost heaters.
This AC switch is triggered by a negative gate current flowing out of the gate pin G. It can be
driven directly by the digital MCU through a resistor as shown on the typical application
diagram.
Thanks to its thermal and turn-off commutation performance, the ACS120 switch can drive,
with no additional turn-off snubber, an inductive load up to 2 A.

Figure 14. Typical application diagram

AC Mains
OUT

Vss
Rg
G
MCU

Vdd

COM

2.1 Protection against overvoltage: the best choice is ACS

In comparison with standard Triacs the ACS120 is over-voltage self-protected, as specified
by the new parameter VCL. This feature is useful in two operating conditions: in case of turn-
off of very inductive load, and in case of surge voltage that can occur on the electrical
network.

6/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 AC line switch basic application

2.2 High inductive load switch-off: turn-off overvoltage clamping

With high inductive and low RMS current loads the rate of decrease of the current is very
low. An overvoltage can occur when the gate current is removed and the OUT current is
lower than IH.
As shown in Figure 15 and Figure 16, at the end of the last conduction half-cycle, the load
current decreases (1). The load current reaches the holding current level IH (2), and the
ACS turns off (3). The water valve, as an inductive load (up to 15 H), reacts as a current
generator and an overvoltage is created, which is clamped by the ACS (4). The current
flows through the ACS avalanche and decreases linearly to zero. During this time, the
voltage across the switch is limited to the clamping voltage VCL. The energy stored in the
inductance of the load is dissipated in the clamping section that is designed for this purpose.
When the energy has been dissipated, the ACS voltage falls back to the mains voltage
value (230 V rms, 50 Hz) (5).

Figure 15. Turn-off operation of the ACS120 Figure 16. ACS120 switch static characteristic
switch with an electro-valve
IT
4
1
VPEAK = V CL
I OUT
(5 mA/div)
2 3
3 IH
VOUT
(200 V/div) 4
1 5 VT

IH VCL
2

100μs/div

Note: Same working principle described in item 2.2 is valid for both current directions.

DS3279 Rev 5 7/17

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AC line switch basic application ACS120

2.3 Alternating current mains transient voltage ruggedness

The ACS120 switch is able to withstand safely the AC mains transients either by clamping
the low energy spikes or by breaking-over when subjected to high energy shocks, even with
high turn-on current rises. The test circuit shown in Figure 17 is representative of the final
ACS120 application, and is also used to test the AC switch according to the IEC 61000-4-5
standard conditions. Thanks to the load limiting the current, the ACS120 switch withstands
the voltage spikes up to 2 kV above the peak mains voltage. The protection is based on an
overvoltage crowbar technology. Actually, the ACS120 breaks over safely as shown in
Figure 18. The ACS120 recovers its blocking voltage capability after the surge (switch-off
back at the next zero crossing of the current). Such non-repetitive tests can be done 10
times on each AC mains voltage polarity.

Figure 17. Overvoltage ruggedness test circuit for resistive and inductive loads

Surge generator = 2 KV

Rgenerator

Filtering unit Cc Model of the load

5 ȍ L = 10 μH
AC mains = 230 Vrms, 50 Hz

OUT

GATE

5J ȍ COM

Figure 18. Current and voltage of the ACS120 during IEC 61000-4-5 standard test with
R, L and VPP

VT (200 V/div)

IT (3 A/div)

200 μs

8/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 Package information

3 Package information

 Epoxy meets UL94-V0

 Lead-free package
 Recommended torque: 0.4 to 0.6 N·m (TO-220AB, TO-220FPAB)
In order to meet environmental requirements, ST offers these devices in different grades of
ECOPACK packages, depending on their level of environmental compliance. ECOPACK
specifications, grade definitions and product status are available at: www.st.com.
ECOPACK is an ST trademark.

3.1 TO-220FPAB package information

Figure 19. TO-220FPAB package outline

DS3279 Rev 5 9/17

17
Package information ACS120

Table 6. TO-220FPAB package mechanical data

Dimensions

Ref. Millimeters Inches(1)

Min. Max. Min. Max.

A 4.40 4.60 0.1732 0.1811

B 2.50 2.70 0.0984 0.1063
D 2.50 2.75 0.0984 0.1083
E 0.45 0.70 0.0177 0.0276
F 0.75 1.00 0.0295 0.0394
F1 1.15 1.70 0.0453 0.0669
F2 1.15 1.70 0.0453 0.0669
G 4.95 5.20 0.1949 0.2047
G1 2.40 2.70 0.0945 0.1063
H 10.00 10.40 0.3937 0.4094
L2 16.00 Typ. 0.6299 Typ.
L3 28.60 30.60 1.1260 1.2047
L4 9.80 10.60 0.3858 0.4173
L5 2.90 3.60 0.1142 0.1417
L6 15.90 16.40 0.6260 0.6457
L7 9.00 9.30 0.3543 0.3661
Dia. 3.00 3.20 0.1181 0.1260
1. Inches only for reference.

10/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 Package information

3.2 DPAK package information

Figure 20. DPAK package outline

Note: This package drawing may slightly differ from the physical package. However, all the
specified dimensions are guaranteed.

DS3279 Rev 5 11/17

17
Package information ACS120

Table 7. DPAK package mechanical data

Dimensions

Ref. Millimeters Inches(1)

Min. Typ. Max. Min. Typ. Max.

A 2.18 2.40 0.0858 0.0945

A1 0.9 1.10 0.0354 0.0433
A2 0.03 0.23 0.0012 0.0091
b 0.64 0.90 0.0252 0.0354
b4 4.95 5.46 0.1949 0.2150
c 0.46 0.61 0.0181 0.0236
c2 0.46 0.60 0.0181 0.0236
D 5.97 6.22 0.2350 0.2449
D1 4.95 5.60 0.1949 0.2205
E 6.35 6.73 0.2500 0.2650
E1 4.32 5.50 0.1701 0.2165
e 2.286 0.0900
e1 4.40 4.70 0.1732 0.1850
H 9.35 10.40 0.3681 0.4094
L 1.0 1.78 0.0394 0.0701
L2 1.27 0.0500
L4 0.6 1.02 0.0236 0.0402
V2 -8° +8° -8° +8°
1. Inches only for reference.

Figure 21. Footprint (dimensions in mm)

6.7 3.0 3.0

A
4.572
6.7

B 1.6
The device must be positioned within 0.05 A B

12/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 Package information

3.3 TO-220AB package information

Figure 22. TO-220AB package outline

Resin gate
0.5 mm max.
protusion(1)

Resin gate
0.5 mm max.
protusion(1)

1. Resin gate position accepted in each of the two position as well as the symmetrical opposites.

DS3279 Rev 5 13/17

17
Package information ACS120

Table 8. TO-220AB package mechanical data

Dimensions

Ref. Millimeters Inches(1)

Min. Max. Min. Max.

A 4.40 4.60 0.1732 0.1811

b 0.61 0.88 0.0240 0.0346
b1 1.14 1.70 0.0449 0.0669
c 0.48 0.70 0.0189 0.0276
D 15.25 15.75 0.6004 0.6201
D1 1.27 typ. 0.05 typ.
E 10.00 10.40 0.3937 0.4094
e 2.40 2.70 0.0945 0.1063
e1 4.95 5.15 0.1949 0.2028
F 1.23 1.32 0.0484 0.0520
H1 6.20 6.60 0.2441 0.2598
J1 2.40 2.72 0.0945 0.1071
L 13.00 14.00 0.5118 0.5512
L1 3.50 3.93 0.1378 0.1547
L20 16.40 typ. 0.6457 typ.
L30 28.90 typ. 1.1378 typ.
P 3.75 3.85 0.1476 0.1516
Q 2.65 2.95 0.1043 0.1161
1. Inches only for reference.

14/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120 Ordering information

4 Ordering information

Figure 23. Ordering information scheme

ACS 1 20 - 7 S B - TR

ACswitch

Number of switches

Nominal conducting current IT(RMS)

20 = 2.0 A
Direct repetitive peak off-state voltage V DRM
7 = 700 V
Gate sensitivity
S = 10 mA
Package
B = DPAK
FP = TO-220FPAB
T = TO-220AB
Packing
TR = Tape and reel
Blank = Tube

Table 9. Ordering information

Order code Marking Package Weight Base qty Packing mode

ACS120-7SB ACS1207S DPAK 0.32 g 75 Tube

ACS120-7SB-TR ACS1207S DPAK 0.32 g 2500 Tape and reel
ACS120-7SFP ACS1207S TO-220FPAB 1.9 g 50 Tube
ACS120-7ST ACS1207S TO-220AB 1.9 g 50 Tube

DS3279 Rev 5 15/17

17
Revision history ACS120

5 Revision history

Table 10. Document revision history

Date Revision Changes

Apr-2004 1 Previous release.

28-Jan-2011 2 Added ECOPACK statement. Updated TC values in Table 1.
Updated DPAK package information and reformatted to current
28-May-2014 3
standard.
Added pin name on cover page package view and reformatted to
02-May-2016 4
current standard.
24-Mar-2022 5 Updated Figure 20.

16/17 DS3279 Rev 5

ACS120

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DS3279 Rev 5 17/17

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