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.

A thermostat (100, 200, 300) is disclosed having input terminals (110, 152) and an output terminal (112). A load switch (114) for selectively connecting the input terminals to the output terminal is provided and comprises an electromagnetic relay configured to interrupt electrical connection between the input and output terminal when a coil (115) of the load switch is de-energized. The thermostat includes a temperature sensor (120), and a controller circuit (130) arranged to derive a temperature from the sensor. The controller circuit (130) is configured to selectively energize the coil (115) of the load switch (114) based on the temperature value to connect the input and output terminal. A thermal fuse (140) is provided and arranged to irreversibly de-energize the load switch coil (114) when the thermal fuse (140) is subjected to a temperature above a threshold to disconnect the input and output terminal.

A thermostat (100, 200, 300) is disclosed having input terminals (110, 152) and an output terminal (112). A load switch (114) for selectively connecting the input terminals to the output terminal is provided and comprises an electromagnetic relay configured to interrupt electrical connection between the input and output terminal when a coil (115) of the load switch is de-energized. The thermostat includes a temperature sensor (120), and a controller circuit (130) arranged to derive a temperature from the sensor. The controller circuit (130) is configured to selectively energize the coil (115) of the load switch (114) based on the temperature value to connect the input and output terminal. A thermal fuse (140) is provided and arranged to irreversibly de-energize the load switch coil (114) when the thermal fuse (140) is subjected to a temperature above a threshold to disconnect the input and output terminal.