Patent ID: 6603221
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
A solid state electrical switch for controlling a electrical load, comprising:a first terminal: a second terminal; a semiconductor switch coupled by said first terminal and said second terminal to form with said electrical load a series circuit across said AC power source, said semiconductor switch becoming conducting in response to receiving a control signal at a control terminal, said solid state electrical switch being in an â€œonâ€  state when said semiconductor switch is conducting and in an â€œoffâ€  state when said semiconductor switch is not conducting; and a control circuit providing said control signal, said control circuit being coupled to said first and second terminals in a parallel configuration with said semiconductor switch wherein current in said control circuit has no current path in said â€œoffâ€  wherein said control circuit, which receives an electrical signal, comprises: a rectifier receiving, during said â€œoffâ€  state, an AC signal from said AC power source and rectifying said AC signal to provide a rectified signal; and a capacitor which is (a) coupled to receive said rectified signal during said â€œoffâ€  state; and (b) discharged in response to said electrical signal to generate said control signal, thereby rendering said semiconductor switch conducting.