Improved Method of Electrical Loads Switching

Abstract

Modern automated systems for residential premises energy resources control (in particular Smart House systems) include electric load switching devices, mainly performing AC switching of the power supply network (~220V, 50 Hz, 16 A). This class of devices is designed for the remote control of electrical loads (on/off, as well as to perform autonomous operation of the system according to the specified scenario. The article discusses various methods of switching electrical loads of residential premises by electromechanical and semiconductor devices, which are most widely used today. The paper presents their comparative analysis and the identified shortcomings of each type of switching devices. The process of electric arc formation at the moments of electromechanical devices switching is considered. Modern versions of protection or reduction of influence from electric arc occurrence in electromechanical switching devices leading to contact erosion are presented. The impact of a specific type of electrical load on the life of an electromechanical relay is discussed. Modern semiconductor elements for switching loads in AC networks are presented, as well as methods of reducing electromagnetic interference in the network during their use. Promising solutions of simistors of “Snabberles” line are considered, which reduce the total cost of the end product and reduce its mass-dimensional indicators. The proposed method of switching electric loads of residential premises is based on combining advantages of electromechanical relays and semiconductor devices.