Switch for AC and DC??

[Robbie Banks]

Any suggestions as how to form a solid state switch that can be used to
isolate either a AC or a DC supply?

I was previously warned off using a Triac. Any other suggestions.

Getting rather desperate now......


Cheers
Robbie

 

[A E]

Robbie Banks wrote:

Any suggestions as how to form a solid state switch that can be used to
isolate either a AC or a DC supply?

What does 'isolate either a AC or DC supply' mean? And what does 'form a solid
state switch' mean?

Getting rather desperate now......

Well, what is it exactly you want to do? Do you mean a power switch? A simple
switch, when in the OFF position, will isolate a AC or DC supply from its load,
or its source, but you didn't say what you want to isolate it FROM, or even why.

If a linear mains-operated power supply has a transformer in it, it's isolated.

Cheers
Robbie

 

[Dr. Anton Squeegee]

In article <bg5vk0$q34$1@sparta.btinternet.com>, Robbie Banks says...

Any suggestions as how to form a solid state switch that can be used to
isolate either a AC or a DC supply?

Solid state relays for both types of power exist, but I've never
seen one that can do both in one package, or one that can be jumpered
from one to the other.

My advice, if you need to switch AC & DC in the same package,
would be to steer away from the 'solid state' part and simply use an
electromechanical relay. Such have become very reliable in the past
decade or so, as advances in contact materials have been made.

If you're really finicky about reliability, get a relay that has
silver or gold plated contacts. Phosphor-bronze with silver is nearly
ideal for both low-level and power.


--
Dr. Anton Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute
(Known to some as Bruce Lane, KC7GR)
kyrrin a/t bluefeathertech d-o=t c&o&m
"Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (Red Green)

 

[Robbie Banks]

Sorry for the ambiguity. What I want to do is have a power switch for a lamp
that is controlled from a TTL pulse. However, the power supply to the lamp
will either be 110V AC from a portable generator, or 12V DC from a leisure
battery.

Therefore, I would prefer to have a single circuit capable of switching
either AC or DC.

The reason I don't want to use Relays is that the enviornment that this is
to be used in is prone to vibration and I'd prefer to take any mechanical
switching out of the equation.

Does this help clarify?

Robbie


"A E" <aeisenhut@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:3F2686F8.D4251F38@videotron.ca...

Robbie Banks wrote:

Any suggestions as how to form a solid state switch that can be used to
isolate either a AC or a DC supply?

What does 'isolate either a AC or DC supply' mean? And what does 'form a
solid
state switch' mean?


Getting rather desperate now......


Well, what is it exactly you want to do? Do you mean a power switch? A
simple
switch, when in the OFF position, will isolate a AC or DC supply from its
load,
or its source, but you didn't say what you want to isolate it FROM, or
even why.

If a linear mains-operated power supply has a transformer in it, it's
isolated.


Cheers
Robbie

 

[A E]

Robbie Banks wrote:

Sorry for the ambiguity. What I want to do is have a power switch for a lamp
that is controlled from a TTL pulse. However, the power supply to the lamp
will either be 110V AC from a portable generator, or 12V DC from a leisure
battery.

What kind of lamp works on 110V or 12V?

Therefore, I would prefer to have a single circuit capable of switching
either AC or DC.

Sounds like a job for a UPS. Just use the 12V battery inside a UPS of your
choice that gives 110VAC.

The reason I don't want to use Relays is that the enviornment that this is
to be used in is prone to vibration and I'd prefer to take any mechanical
switching out of the equation.

Why? It's ideal in this case. It's rugged, simple and reliable. What kind of
vibration?

Does this help clarify?

Robbie

"A E" <aeisenhut@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:3F2686F8.D4251F38@videotron.ca...
Robbie Banks wrote:

Any suggestions as how to form a solid state switch that can be used to
isolate either a AC or a DC supply?

What does 'isolate either a AC or DC supply' mean? And what does 'form a
solid
state switch' mean?


Getting rather desperate now......


Well, what is it exactly you want to do? Do you mean a power switch? A
simple
switch, when in the OFF position, will isolate a AC or DC supply from its
load,
or its source, but you didn't say what you want to isolate it FROM, or
even why.

If a linear mains-operated power supply has a transformer in it, it's
isolated.


Cheers
Robbie

 

[happyhobit]

Robbie, what is this for?

Is this for the lights inside an RV?

Jay

"Robbie Banks" <robbie_banks@nospamhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bg5vk0$q34$1@sparta.btinternet.com...

Any suggestions as how to form a solid state switch that can be used to
isolate either a AC or a DC supply?

I was previously warned off using a Triac. Any other suggestions.

Getting rather desperate now......


Cheers
Robbie