user14022: So, when I searched for ways to drive AC circuits from Arduino, everyone suggested relays with a transistor switching circuit to channel an external 5V. I was wondering what would happen if I used an optocoupler like 4n35 to drive an AC circuit. Will the phototransistor inside the chip burn out?

user3879: No. A 4N35 will switch 150mA at 30V DC. See http://elinux.org/RPi_GPIO_Interface_Circuits for more detail. If you are proposing to switch 110/240V AC there are safety issues. You should look at available commercial modules.

user14095: Normally Opto couplers like a 4N35 were not designed to drive an application load.  Typically they are used to trigger another device such as a SCR or Triac.  There is a vidio I would recommend you watch, it gives some information and the comments are good.  Give this a try:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVef6f2_Si8
Gil

user10200: SSR's typically have a arduino friendly 3v + dc input, and can switch 10+ amps of up to 330vac.

user14266: Use it with Triac.  I use MOC3020 + BT138 + 330 and 510 Ohm resistors.
It works good as relay and in dimmer scheme.
Scheme is here 
http://cyber-place.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=1030&d=1370462030

14022: <p>So, when I searched for ways to drive AC circuits from Arduino, everyone suggested relays with a transistor switching circuit to channel an external 5V. I was wondering what would happen if I used an optocoupler like 4n35 to drive an AC circuit. Will the phototransistor inside the chip burn out?</p>
 3879: <p>No. A 4N35 will switch 150mA at 30V DC. See <a href="http://elinux.org/RPi_GPIO_Interface_Circuits" rel="nofollow">http://elinux.org/RPi_GPIO_Interface_Circuits</a> for more detail. If you are proposing to switch 110/240V AC there are safety issues. You should look at available commercial modules.</p>
 14095: <p>Normally Opto couplers like a 4N35 were not designed to drive an application load.  Typically they are used to trigger another device such as a SCR or Triac.  There is a vidio I would recommend you watch, it gives some information and the comments are good.  Give this a try:  </p>

<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVef6f2_Si8" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVef6f2_Si8</a></p>

<p>Gil</p>
 10200: <p>SSR's typically have a arduino friendly 3v + dc input, and can switch 10+ amps of up to 330vac.</p>
 14266: <p>Use it with Triac.  I use MOC3020 + BT138 + 330 and 510 Ohm resistors.
It works good as relay and in dimmer scheme.
Scheme is here 
<a href="http://cyber-place.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=1030&amp;d=1370462030" rel="nofollow">http://cyber-place.ru/attachment.php?attachmentid=1030&amp;d=1370462030</a></p>
