I've always used a hefty SC141 triac in projects and mainly have switched incandescent lamps with it.
I use a triac driver optoisolator followed by the triac, of course, and switch the load.
I know problems can arise with inductive loads.....rf noise? damage to the triac itself?.....but I haven't had any problem controlling an AC outlet with say, a small AC adapter type transformer attached. Small currents....200 - 500 ma or so.
(At least, not so far).
If I wanted to do it right, could I simply use a zero crossing triac driver to eliminate (or considerably) reduce the inductive problem? I've used these before and it's amazing how much RF noise they eliminate.
Isn't it the "kickback" problem with an inductive load? If you're switching on/off at zero crossing, would you get rid of that?
I know also, that there are built in "snubbing" circuits on some of these triacs and also they have very high peak voltage capabilities (2500v or so).
Please enlighten.
THANKS.