ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY

Solid State Relay (SSR) – Types of SSR

Relays – Construction & Operation
 Electrical Technology

What is Solid State Relay? Construction, Operation, Applications &

Types of SSR Relays
In this article, we will briefly discuss the SSR (Solid State Relay), its construction,
operation, Schematics & different types of SSR relays based on its switching
property and input/output forms. We will also discuss the advantages &
disadvantages of Solid State Relay (SSR) comparing to Electromagnetic Relays
(EMR) relay.

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Table of Contents

 What is Solid State Relay (SSR)?

o Difference between SSR & EMR
 Construction of SSR (Solid State Relay)
o Terminals Of SSR Relay
o Input Or Control Terminals
o The Output Normally Open (NO) Terminals
o Output Normally Closed (NC) Terminal
 Operation & Working of SSR Relay
 Schematic Model of SSR Relay
 Types Of SSR Relay
o Classification Based On Input/Output
 DC-To-AC SSR Relay
 AC-To-AC SSR Relay
 DC-To-DC SSR Relay
 DC-To-AC/DC SSR Relay

o Classification Based On Switching Property
 Instant ON SSR Relay
 Zero Switching SSR Relay
 Peak Switching SSR Relay
 Analog Switching SSR Relay
o Classification Based On Poles & Throw
 Form A Or SPST NO Type SSR
 Form B Or SPST NC Type SSR:
 Form C Or SPDT Type SSR:
 Advantages and Disadvantages of SSR (Solid State) Relays)
o Advantages:
o Disadvantages
 Applications of SSR (Solid State) Relays

What is Solid State Relay (SSR)?

Solid state relay (SSR) is an electronic switching device made
of semiconductors that switch (On & Off) a high voltage circuit using a low voltage
at its control terminals.

Unlike EMR (Electromagnetic relay) that has a coil & mechanical switch (physical
contacts), the SSR relay uses Optocoupler to isolate the control circuit from the
controlled circuit.

Difference between SSR & EMR

The operation of SSR (Solid State Relay) and EMR (Electromagnetic Relay) or
contact relay is same while the main different between SSR and EMR is that there
are no mechanical parts and contacts in SSR relay. Normally, SSR has 1a contact
while EMR having multiple contacts.

Other different between Solid State Relay and Electromagnetic relay are that there is
no surge and noise during the operation of SSR. There is a chance of leakage
current about few μA to mA in SSR relay while the value of leak current is Zero (0) in
EMR. At the other hand, SSR switch OFF AC loads at the point of 0 load current
which leads to eliminate the noise, contact bounce and electrical arcing in case of
inductive load as compared to EMR relays.

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Construction of SSR (Solid State Relay)
Terminals Of SSR Relay
SSR relay has two sets of terminals i.e input terminals & output terminals. These
terminals are given below:

Input Or Control Terminals

These two terminals are the input control terminal. It is connected to a low power
circuit that controls its switching.

Terminals & Connections

of SSR Relay

The control input of an SSR relay is designed for DC or AC circuit separately.

The Output Normally Open (NO) Terminals

The output terminals of SSR relay switches on and off depending on the control
input.

Normally, the electrical connection between these terminals remains open. When the
relay activates, these terminals connect together providing a closed path.
 The output terminals are specifically designed for either AC or DC circuit. Unlike
EMR relay, an SSR relay cannot switch both AC & DC signal using the same
terminals.

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Output Normally Closed (NC) Terminal

This terminal of the relay remains closed until the relay is activated. There is no
current flow when the relay activates. It becomes open upon activation of the relay.

NOTE: Commonly used SSR relays have no NC (normally closed) terminals. But
Form B & Form C SSR relay (discussed below) uses NC terminal. 

Operation & Working of SSR Relay

When a low voltage is applied to the input control terminals of the SSR relay, the
output Load terminals becomes electrically short.

The input of the SSR relay activates the optocoupler which switches the Load circuit.
The optocoupler has no physical connection & it isolates the low voltage circuit from
the high voltage circuit.

Optocoupler has an LED at its input which emits infrared light when a voltage is

applied. These IR waves are received by the photo-sensor (Photo-transistor,
photodiode etc.) on its output end. The Photo-sensor converts the light signal into an
electrical signal & switches on the circuit.

To activate the optocoupler, its input voltage should be greater than its forward
voltage. Due to this reason, SSR relays does not activate on lower voltage than its
specified voltage.

The output circuitry of SSR relay varies for AC & DC circuits. It is usually made up
of TRIAC or Thyristors for AC circuit & Power MOSFETs for DC circuit.

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Schematic Model of SSR Relay

A general schematic for the operation of a DC to AC SSR relay’s operation with
model schematic is given below:
 A DC input of sufficient voltage is applied at the control input terminals. There is a
diode for protection against the reverse polarity of the applied DC.

When the voltage is applied to the LED of the optocoupler, it emits infrared light.

On the other end, the Opto-TRIAC (receiver) picks up the light & switches on. As
soon as the optocoupler switches on, the output AC current starts flowing through it

In turn, this optocoupler’s output activates the TRIAC. Thus allowing the flow

of AC Load Circuit current

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Types Of SSR Relay

There are different types of SSR (Solid State) relays. They are either classified on
their Input/output form or their switching property.

Classification Based On Input/Output

Following are some of the common types of SSR relay classified based on its  input
& output circuit (AC/DC).

DC-To-AC SSR Relay

This relay Operates on DC input to switch an AC Load Circuit. The control input of
this SSR relay only operate on DC input.

The fact that this relay does not operate on AC input is

because optocoupler operate on DC. Its input terminals are also directional.
Reversing the polarity of the input will not activate the relay. There is a diode used
for protection against the reverse polarity of the input.

Even after applying the required input, the output switch of this SSR does not
activate but only when AC voltage is applied to its output terminals.

Following is the schematic of a DC-TO-AC SSR relay.

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AC-To-AC SSR Relay

The SSR relay operates only when the Input and output both circuits are AC.

As we know, the optocoupler operates on DC voltage. So a rectifier is used before

the optocoupler to convert AC into DC.

When sufficient AC voltage is applied to its input control terminal, it activates

providing the flow of AC load current.

Its schematic is given below.

DC-To-DC SSR Relay

This relay can switch High power DC load using a low power DC source.

The DC input is applied to the optocoupler as described in the other example above.

However, to switch a DC load, a power MOSFET or IGBT is used.

The Mosfet conducts current in only one direction so it is also necessary to make
sure the output load is connected using correct polarity. A protection diode is used to
avoid damage during reverse polarity.
 If there is an inductive load, a freewheeling diode should be used with the load.

DC-To-AC/DC SSR Relay

This type of SSR relay can switch AC & DC load using separate terminals.

Such kind of SSR relay uses MOSFETs in series with common Source terminals for
switch both AC & DC circuit.

Its schematic is given below.

This schematic shows a photodiode cell array as a light sensor which produces a
voltage when the LED activates. This voltage is applied to the gates & source of
the N-MOSFETs connected in series.

To use this relay for AC circuit, the Drain terminals of MOSFETs are used & the
source terminals should remain unused.

While using DC circuit, Drain & source terminal of the MOSFETs are used for
switching.

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Classification Based On Switching Property

SSR relays are also classified based on their switching properties which are given
below.
These relays control AC circuits and are used for controlling the desired outputs in a
specific application

Instant ON SSR Relay

Such type of relay instantly switches on the load circuit whenever a sufficient input
voltage is applied. It switches off upon the next zero crossing of load voltage after
the removal of the control input.

Zero Switching SSR Relay

This kind of relay switches on when an input voltage is applied and the load AC
voltage crosses the next zero voltage.

It turns off like normal SSR relays when the input voltage is removed and the load
AC voltage reaches zero volts.

The operation for zero switching relay is achieved by a circuit known as zero
crossing circuit, which detects the zero crossing and activates the TRIAC.
 Peak Switching SSR Relay
These types of SSR relay switches on when the output AC voltage hits its
next peak after applying the required input control voltage.

It also turns off after the removal of the input voltage and the zero crossing of the
output AC current.

There is a peak detection block used in these relays, which fires the TRIAC when
the output AC cycle hits its peak.

Analog Switching SSR Relay

While these other types of SSR’s switching depend on output AC cycle, this relay’s
switching depends on its input amplitude.

The starting output voltage of analog SSR relay is proportional to the input control
voltage.

Suppose 3-32v DC input relay’s 3v represents 0% & 32v represent 100% of the load

AC peak voltage.

When the control input is removed the relay switches off upon the next output AC
zero crossing.

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Classification Based On Poles & Throw

SSR relays are classified into three types or “Forms” considering their poles & throw
configuration.

Form A Or SPST NO Type SSR

Form A type of SSR relay is SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) relay with normally
open (NO) terminals. The output load terminals are normally open when there is no
external control input. When the relay activates, the output terminals connect
together & allows the flow of current.
The diagram below shows an SSR relay capable of switching AC & DC on separate
terminals.

A photodiode cell is used as a light receiver & enhancement MOSFETs with

common sources are used for switching the load circuit.

Form B Or SPST NC Type SSR:

Form B type of SSR relay has normally closed load terminals. The output load
terminals are normally connected & allow current flow when there is no control input.
Providing a control input will open the load terminals and stop the current flow.

This type of relay uses depletion MOSFETs which turn ON at zero input & turn off
when its Vgs is negative.

The diagram below shows form B SPST NC relay using depletion MOSFETs.

Form C Or SPDT Type SSR:

Form C type of SSR relay has two switch throw terminals.
 There are three load terminals i.e. Common, NC & NO.

When the relay is not active, the common terminal remains connected with

the NC terminal. 

When the relay activates, the common terminal connects to the NO terminal. 

The diagram of SPDT SSR relay is given below.

 There is also a control switching circuit that prevents the MOSFETs from turning on at

the same time by
 Advantages and Disadvantages of SSR (Solid State) Relays)

Advantages:

 SSR switching time is much faster than EMR (Electromechanical relay) relay.

 It has no physical contacts.
 There is no issue of contacts spark & wear out.
 They have a longer lifespan than EMR relays.
 SSR relay Switch off at 0 AC load current which prevents any arch or electrical noise.
 Vibrations or movement does not affect its operation.
 It has very low power consumption as compared to EMR relay.
 SSR relay is very easily controlled by logic circuits(microcontrollers)

Disadvantages

 It has a complex design as compared to EMR relay

 There is a voltage drop across its load terminals.
 It has a leakage current during off state.
 SSR relays dissipate too much heat.
 It cannot switch low voltages as compared to EMR relay.
 SSR relay switching depends on the voltage of the controlled circuit.

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Applications of SSR (Solid State) Relays

Below are the common uses of Solid State Relays in the field of electrical and electronics
engineering.

 Generally, SSR relay are used for switching purpose i.e. ON/OFF control of AC Power.
 It is used to control the power i.e. motor speed control, light and fan dimming, power switching
etc.
 They are also use to drive electric heaters to control the temperature.

 SSR cab be used as a latch which is useful in ccHome TUTORIALS ELECTRICAL WIRING EE

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