A TRIAC is a three-terminal, bidirectional electronic switch that controls AC power, making it ideal for applications like light dimming and motor speed control. It is essentially two SCRs (Silicon Controlled Rectifiers) connected in reverse parallel with a common gate, and it can conduct current in both directions when triggered by a gate signal. The three terminals are Main Terminal 1 (MT1), Main Terminal 2 (MT2), and the gate.