Products

 

AC Solid State Relay, up to 600VAC, 90Amps

When a power relay is needed, choose our industrial grade solid state relay. A detailed description of solid state relay advantages is at the bottom of this page.

 

The PF Series is a full featured Hockey Puck style Solid State Relay featuring the highest blocking voltage and transient voltage immunity. The PF Series solid state relay comes individually boxed with a clear IP20 cover, control input indicator and is ideal for all load types and high noise environments. The PF series solid state relay has 3-32VDC or 100-240VAC control, 12 to 90A RMS, and up to 600VAC line voltage.

 

The PR Series of solid state relay is the OEM version of the PF Series. The PR has the robustness of the PF with no frills for lowest cost. Volume custom models are available. Both series are Made in USA, CE and RoHS compliant ( eco friendly ).

 

DC Solid State Relay, up to 900VDC, 75Amps

The PE Series DC switching solid state relay has very low power dissipation and fast 15 microsecond switching speeds. The PE series' highly efficient control input is easy for most controllers to drive. Models range from 60VDC MOSFET to 900VDC IGBT output with current up to 75ADC. The PE Series solid state relay is Made in USA, CE and RoHS compliant. For custom models, contact us.

 

AC Solid State Contactor, 480VAC, up to 100Amps

The C2 Series is a full featured dual solid state contactor. Features include thermal limit, diagnostics, integrated heatsink, repairable, independent 65A or 100A channels every 1.6" for superb power density, AC or DC control input, 48 to 480VAC switched. The C2 series is Made in USA, CE and RoHS compliant. Custom models available.

 

Heatsink and accessories

If you want a heatsink that was designed, extruded and pre-drilled for a solid state relay, buy a VB Controls heatsink. All VB Controls heatsinks are eco friendly - RoHS compliant. We have heatsinks for one to three hockey pucks and will sell a heatsink individually or mount the solid state relay onto the heatsink, per customer instruction. Our Thermal Paste has superb performance and comes in convenient, no mess, syringes.

 

Custom products

VB Controls caters to OEM and private label distributors. Choose a standard product that is close to your needs and we can modify the build to meet your specific needs under your private label. If no standard product comes close, VB Controls is a product design company. We have designed a variety of client specific custom products including real power and energy meters, power control, load diagnostics, time-temperature "cooking" control and lighting controls. Call us at 540-822-9228 and explore the possibilities

 

Solid State Relays - Go to Store

 

Advantages of solid state relays as compared to electromechanical relays and contactors

Architecture differences between solid state relays and electromechanical ones drive why a solid state relay is a better choice in many applications. VB Controls’ solid state relays and solid state contactors will be used as the norm for this comparison. Solid state contactors and industrial solid state relays are sufficiently similar to refer to both as Solid State Relays.

Solid State Relay Architecture

A solid state relay can be divided into sections; Control input, isolation, trigger or drive, solid state switched output, and output noise suppression.  All of these sections use electronics with no moving parts. Solid state relays must be selected for AC or DC control input and AC or DC switched output. Solid state relay control inputs have a wide voltage range with small current draw. Solid sate relay Isolation is optically-coupled, with no reliance on magnetic fields.  AC solid state relays have a trigger circuit that delays the Control Input to synchronize Turn-On to the next zero crossing of the AC line. AC Solid state relays use SCR technology, which transition to the Off-State only when the AC line current drops to zero. Thus, AC Solid State Relays change output state at the AC line’s lowest energy points. Next, AC solid state relays have a snubber circuit to suppress electrical noise on the AC line. VB Controls’ DC solid state relays have a DC to DC converter to power up the Drive Circuit and use a MOSFET or IGBT device for output switching. DC Solid state relays change output state almost immediately after the control input.

Electromechanical Relay Architecture

An electromechanical relay or contactor can be divided into sections; magnetic coil, fixed output contact(s), and mobile contact(s) on an armature with spring return. When sufficient current flows through the coil, the coil’s magnetic field moves armature which physically breaks or makes connection between the moving contacts and the fixed contacts into the “energized” state. Each relay coil is made to draw sufficient current at a fixed voltage. When coil voltage is removed, there is a flyback or magnetic reversal which helps the return spring move the contacts back to their “normal” state. Many of these devices use mercury to extend contact life. Electromechanical relays and electromechanical contactors are simply referred to as electromechanical in this comparison.

Solid State Relay to Electromechanical Comparison

 

Solid state relays do not wear out, due to not having moving parts or mechanical contacts. With no wear out mechanism, solid state relays are ideal for applications that benefit from many operations per day. Use of rapid cycling reduces thermal stress and extends the life of most loads, like heaters. Solid state relays have stable operation regardless of age due to lack of wear. A solid state relay can be controlled directly from logic circuits. An additional power supply is typically not needed due the the solid state relay’s wide range of control voltage, such as 3 to 32 volts at a few milliamps. An electromechanical requires a drive circuit that often includes a small solid state relay or discrete power device, and the design needs the appropriate voltage power supply for the coil. Though a solid state relay itself typically costs more, the overall cost may be lower due to lower support costs. Many electro-mechanicals contain environmentally damaging substances, such as mercury. Solid State Relays are environmentally friendly and RoHS compliant (Restriction of Hazardous Substances). Solid state relays do not make audible noise. Solid state relays do not have contacts that arc and emit bursts of electrical noise. Thus, a solid state relay does not create significant magnetic fields and is not vulnerable to them. All of VB Controls solid state relays are CE compliant, which requires having low electronic and magnetic emissions and high immunity to external electromagnetic events. Solid state relays are not affected by gravity and operate in any physical orientation. Solid state relays do not change state due non-destructive vibration or impact. An AC solid state relay is typically five times faster than an electromechanical. DC solid state relays are over one thousand times faster than an Electromechanical. Thus, solid state relays provide superior reliability, performance, ease of use and are environmentally friendly.