The Development and Application of Solid State Relays for Automotive Applications

The utilization of electro-mechanical relays in traditional automotive applications such as power door lock systems and vehicle lighting has been easily justified on the basis of performance, cost and reliability. However, with the advance of new vehicle systems, we find that new standards for the basic power switch must be established. When the control of anti-lock brake or suspension systems is to be considered, standards for performance and reliability must rise.

This paper will examine a high current Solid State Relay (SSR) which has been developed for application within critical automotive systems. The design approach, technology utilized, and operating characteristics, as well as application justification will be discussed.