Littlefuse's [Phase Control Using Thyristors](http://www.littelfuse.com/~/media/electronics/application_notes/switching_thyristors/littelfuse_thyristor_phase_control_using_thyristors_application_note.pdf.pdf) is an excellent reference on the subject of both thyristors and triacs. [![enter image description here][1]][1] *Littlefuse's application note suggests two 100 Ω with a filtering capacitor.* You can omit C1 but may find the circuit more prone to triggering by noise. For 230 V operation double the resistor values. You also need to calculate and include Rin. Typically you should aim for 10 mA through the infrared opto-LED. [![enter image description here][2]][2] *Figure 2. The LED loadline chart. Source: [Loadline resistance calculation](http://lednique.com/wp/wp-admin/post.php?post=544&action=edit). ([Disclaimer](https://electronics.stackexchange.com/users/73158/transistor).)* For 10 mA in the infrared opto-LED, slide across from 10 on the *If* axis to the IR LED curve and pick the closed loadline: 390 Ω in this case. That's your Rin value. Other links: - [Thyristor Theory and Design Considerations Handbook](https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/2587503/mod_resource/content/2/Onsemi_Thyristor_Theory_and_Design_Considerations_Handbook_HBD855-D.pdf) by ON Semiconductor. - https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/248743/how-is-the-gate-trigger-resistor-value-calculated-for-a-triac?. ---- Update: I forgot to mention, triacs don't have a base. They have a "gate". "Base" is reserved for transistors. [1]: https://i.sstatic.net/xId0F.png [2]: https://i.sstatic.net/PFLto.png