Patent ID: 8988844
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A drive circuit for an electromagnetic relay having switch contacts and a relay coil with first and second terminals, the drive circuit comprising: a first voltage source and a second voltage source, said second voltage source having a higher voltage level than said first voltage source; a first switching device disposed between the first terminal of the relay coil and said first voltage source; a second switching device disposed between the second terminal of the relay coil and a zero potential; a third switching device connected between said second voltage source and the first terminal of the relay coil, said third switching device connected parallel to said first switching device; and a control device configured to initially close said first, second and third switching devices to produce a current flow through the relay coil and to open said third switching device again and keep said first and second switching devices closed at an end of a predefined time period.