Patent ID: 7755414

Claim:
A low power consumption, normally closed solid-state power relay comprising: at least one power transistor having a control lead connected to a load, said power transistor configured to carry current related to said load; a driver circuit with an input terminal driving said control lead of said power transistor to both an on state and an off state, said driver circuit having positive and negative power leads, said driver circuit holding said power transistor normally on; a photovoltaic cell electrically connected to the input terminal of said driver circuit, wherein when an input voltage is applied to said photovoltaic cell, said photovoltaic cell causes said driver circuit to switch turning off said power transistor; a capacitor electrically connected between said positive and negative power leads of said driver, wherein said capacitor supplies power to said driver circuit when said driver circuit switches; a diode connecting said photovoltaic cell to said capacitor, wherein when an input voltage is applied to said photovoltaic device, said photovoltaic device charges said capacitor.