Patent ID: 8116059

Claim:
A circuit for discharging a relay coil, the circuit comprising: a power source configured to generate an alternating current signal for energizing the relay coil; a rectifier circuit coupled to the power source, the rectifier circuit comprising at least one diode; and a relay release circuit comprising: a switch coupled to the rectifier circuit, the switch in series with the relay coil, wherein the relay coil is coupled to the rectifier circuit; and a suppression circuit coupled in parallel to the relay coil, the suppression circuit comprising a second diode in series with a zener diode, wherein the relay coil, when sufficiently energized, is configured to provide a switching force sufficient to actuate at least one load switch coupled to at least one switched power line, wherein the suppression circuit is configured to discharge the energy stored in the relay circuit, and wherein the rectifier circuit is configured to rectify the alternating current signal.