SWITCHING MEANS FOR CONNECTING A LOAD TO A POWER SUPPLY AND ITS METHOD OF OPERATION

摘要

A switching means for controlling the supply of power from a supply to a load comprising a solid-state switch (4) arranged in parallel with a relay (5) of normally closed type, the switch (4) and the relay (5) being arranged in series with the load and the power supply, the control switch also comprising a control means (3) adapted to connect the power supply to the load by applying an activation signal to the solid-state switch (4) to cause it to conduct, then de-energising the relay (5) and then removing said activation signal to the solid-state switch (4) in that order, and wherein the control means (3) is also adapted to disconnect the power supply from the load by applying an activation signal to the solid-state switch (4) to cause it to conduct, then energising the relay (5) and then removing said activation signal to the solid-state switch (4) in that order. A corresponding method of operation is also disclosed.