TomGeorge:
Hi,
MOC3041 is a zero crossing switch opto coupler, they are designed for ON/OFF power switching.
Not phase control that you are trying to accomplish.This may help;
Tom...
thanks for the reply, i am not sure i understand what the difference is? surely it simply switches the triac on and off when i tell it to? can you recommend another opto that might work as a replacement?