A contactor apparatus and method for operating the contactor apparatus can include a contactor assembly with a contactor coil operably coupled to a contactor switch. One or more sensors can be provided in the contactor assembly adapted to measure one or more aspects of the contactor assembly. Based upon the measured aspects, a controller can initiate operation of the contactor switch to effectively toggle the contactor switch at a zero-crossing point along an alternating current waveform.

One embodiment describes a method that includes, when a motor is disconnected from a power source: starting, using a control circuitry, a counter at a first voltage zero-crossing by either a source voltage or a back electromotive force generated by the motor; stopping, using the control circuitry, the counter at a next subsequent second voltage zero-crossing by either the source voltage or the back electromotive force; monitoring, using the control circuitry, a trend in counter values; and instructing, using the control circuitry, one or more switching devices to reconnect the power source to the motor after a local minimum in the counter value trend such that the source voltage is leading the back electromotive force.

One embodiment describes a method that includes, when a motor is disconnected from a power source: starting, using a control circuitry, a counter at a first voltage zero-crossing by either a source voltage or a back electromotive force generated by the motor; stopping, using the control circuitry, the counter at a next subsequent second voltage zero-crossing by either the source voltage or the back electromotive force; monitoring, using the control circuitry, a trend in counter values; and instructing, using the control circuitry, one or more switching devices to reconnect the power source to the motor after a local minimum in the counter value trend such that the source voltage is leading the back electromotive force.

One embodiment describes a switching device system, which includes a first single pole switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a first phase of electric power to a first winding of a three phase motor; a second single switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a second phase of electric power to a second winding of the three phase motor; in which the first and second single pole switching devices control temperature of the motor by, at a first time, connecting the first phase and the second phase electric power to the motor.

One embodiment describes a switching device system, which includes a first single pole switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a first phase of electric power to a first winding of a three phase motor; a second single switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a second phase of electric power to a second winding of the three phase motor; in which the first and second single pole switching devices control temperature of the motor by, at a first time, connecting the first phase and the second phase electric power to the motor.

One embodiment describes a motor starter including a first single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a first winding of a motor; a second single pole switching device that closes after the first switching device opens to connect power to the first winding; a third single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a second winding of the motor; a fourth single pole switching device that closes after the third single pole switching device opens to connect power to the second winding; a fifth single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power form a third winding of the motor; and a sixth single pole switching device closes after the fifth single pole switching device opens to connect power to the third winding.

One embodiment describes a motor starter including a first single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a first winding of a motor; a second single pole switching device that closes after the first switching device opens to connect power to the first winding; a third single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a second winding of the motor; a fourth single pole switching device that closes after the third single pole switching device opens to connect power to the second winding; a fifth single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power form a third winding of the motor; and a sixth single pole switching device closes after the fifth single pole switching device opens to connect power to the third winding.

A system controls high power devices according to ambient light levels. The system includes a latching relay, a latching relay driver, an ambient light sensor and a relay bulk power supply. The latching relay switches power on and off to the high power devices, and the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, using power from on-periods when the latching relay is closed. The ambient light sensor controls when the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, and the relay bulk power supply stores power from the on-periods to be used to energize the latching relay during off-periods when the latching relay is open.

A system controls high power devices according to ambient light levels. The system includes a latching relay, a latching relay driver, an ambient light sensor and a relay bulk power supply. The latching relay switches power on and off to the high power devices, and the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, using power from on-periods when the latching relay is closed. The ambient light sensor controls when the latching relay driver energizes the latching relay, and the relay bulk power supply stores power from the on-periods to be used to energize the latching relay during off-periods when the latching relay is open.

A contactor apparatus and method for operating the contactor apparatus can include a contactor assembly with a contactor coil operably coupled to a contactor switch. One or more sensors can be provided in the contactor assembly adapted to measure one or more aspects of the contactor assembly. Based upon the measured aspects, a controller can initiate operation of the contactor switch to effectively toggle the contactor switch at a zero-crossing point along an alternating current waveform.