A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

A lighting relay panel may include lower-cost features or components related to improved safety and reliability. In some cases, the relay panel includes a power supply capable of protecting the panel from high-voltage and high-current transients. A microcontroller may determine a power interruption based on a zero-cross signal received from the power supply, and may also configure latching relays during the interruption. In some implementations, the relay panel includes a relay sense circuit that is capable of receiving actuation signals from multiple relays connected to different phases of a power signal, and the microcontroller may synchronize or repeat the actuations based on a signal from the relay sense circuit. The microcontroller may generate relay addresses based on the relay positions within the relay panel. In some cases, the relay panel may include isolation circuits that are capable of providing an isolated control signal having an improved voltage range.

An exemplary embodiment is disclosed of a relay turn-off control system for use with an alternating-current (AC) signal input. The system may include a relay, a relay current load sensor connected to the relay, and a rectifier circuit connected to the relay current load sensor and having an output. A microprocessor may be connected to the rectifier circuit output. The microprocessor may be configured to set a relay turn-off signal output time based on an empirically determined duration time for the relay to turn-off and further based on determining a zero-cross period via use of a modulo operation.

A coil arrangement comprises an electrical coil and an armature movable between a first end position (I) and a second end position, an electronic switch switchable between at least two switch states, a control and monitoring circuit for producing a switching signal actuating the electronic switch and an operating circuit for providing an operating voltage and an electrical current measurement signal representing an electrical current flowing as a function of time in a coil electrical current circuit formed with the coil. The control and monitoring circuit is additionally adapted using the electrical current measurement signal to perform a checking of the coil, for example, namely to detect, whether an inductance, of the coil has a dependence on the switching signal as a function of time, respectively a behavior as a function of time corresponding with the switching signal as a function of time. The electromechanical switch, in turn, comprises a first switch contact movable between a first switch position and a second switch position, a second switch contact and, for actuating the switch contact, a coil arrangement of the invention, while the measurement transmitter comprises, besides such an electromechanical switch, also a measuring circuit for receiving at least one transducer signal dependent on a physical or chemical, measured variable and/or representing the measured variable as a function of time.

A three phase switching device and method for reducing arc energy and contact erosion during the opening and closing of electrical contacts, the device having one electromagnet and one armature. The device and method permits the closing of all three phases at calculated target points immediately prior to their current zero crossing by controlling the velocity at which the armature travels during the opening and closing process.

A control apparatus for a relay and controlling method thereof. The controlling method includes: detecting an input voltage of the relay and a current flowing through the relay; obtaining a voltage zero crossing point information according to the input voltage and a reference voltage value; turning on the relay at an initial turn-on time point according to the voltage zero crossing point information, and obtaining a real turn-on time point of the relay according to the current flowing through the relay; obtaining a turn-on delay of the relay according to the initial turn-on time point and the real turn-on time point, and adjusting the initial turn-on time point to obtain a compensated turn-on time point according to the turn-on delay.

A method for predicting the usability of a relay or a contactor is described herein. A current flowing through the relay or the contactor and/or a voltage applied to the relay or the contactor is measured repeatedly, and the measured values are transmitted to an observation unit. The observation unit makes a prediction relating to the usability of the relay or of the contactor on the basis of the measured values and a model. Furthermore described are an observation unit and a battery which are configured to carry out the method according to the disclosure.

An exemplary embodiment is disclosed of a relay turn-off control system for use with an alternating-current (AC) signal input. The system may include a relay, a relay current load sensor connected to the relay, and a rectifier circuit connected to the relay current load sensor and having an output. A microprocessor may be connected to the rectifier circuit output. The microprocessor may be configured to set a relay turn-off signal output time based on an empirically determined duration time for the relay to turn-off and further based on determining a zero-cross period via use of a modulo operation.

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the state of the earthing contacts of a contactor controlled by an exciter coil, said contactor being operated as part of an isolation unit for galvanically isolating a voltage source from an electric consumer device connected to the voltage source, wherein a first power loss (22), which is transferred via the earthing contacts, and a second power loss (23), which is transferred via the exciter coil, are detected, and the first power loss (22) and the second power loss (23) are fed as input variables to a thermal model (21) of the contactor, the thermal model (21) determines an earthing contact temperature (24) according to at least one of the input variables and provides said contactor temperature as an output variable, and the provided earthing contact temperature (24) is evaluated.