SWITCHING CIRCUIT

摘要

Disclosed is a switch module (123) for connecting a load (120) to an ac supply (131), comprising an electromechanical switch (107) for (a) connecting, in response to a mechanical ON signal (108) the ac supply to a load, (b) disconnecting, in response to an electrical OFF signal (132) the ac supply from the load; wherein electrical power is not required to maintain the latched open state or the latched closed state, the switch module further comprising a solid state switch (117) in series with the electromechanical switch, a control module (112) for periodically driving the solid state switch from an on state to an off state during part of an ac cycle, and a storage device (115) to receive power from a voltage (118) developed across the solid state switch, for driving the solid state switch, and to provide the electrical OFF signal to the electromechanical switch.

主权项

1. A switching module configured to connect a load to a single phase ac supply, the switching module comprising:
a latching module; an electromechanical switching device responsive to a force exerted by the latching module, said electromechanical switching device configured to:
transition, in response to a mechanical ON signal, from a latched open state to a latched closed state to thereby connect the ac supply to a connected load;transition, in response to an electrical OFF signal to the latching module, from the latched closed state to the latched open state to thereby disconnect the ac supply from the connected load; whereinelectrical power is not required to maintain either the latched open state or the latched closed state of the electromechanical switching device; a solid state switching device connected in series with the electromechanical switching device and the connected load; a control module configured to periodically drive the solid state switching device from an on state to an off state during part of a positive ac cycle; and an energy storage device configured to receive power from a voltage developed across the second switching device, said power being for use by the control module to drive the solid state switching device.