> > still to try it with a decent load but it seems like a reasonable amount of
> > leakage current. Would you considder this normal?
>
> Yes, unfortunately ready made solid state relays tend to have a snubber network
> across the "switch" which causes leakage when they really should be off. It can
> make them totally unusable for controlling small mains operated valves and
> solenoids.
>
> We sometimes make our own solid state relays with a zero crossing opto triac
> controlling a larger triac and no snubber at all.  We do put a snubber across
> the load if necessary.

However, there is a caveat to go with this. Removing the snubber and
driving an inductive load (like a transformer) may result in the
triac never turning off (dv/dt commutation).
Don't you just love this electronics stuff where off is a choice
between not quite off and not off at all. ?

There are snubberless triacs that are a bit more forgiving in this
area.

Steve.

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Steve Baldwin                Electronic Product Design
TLA Microsystems Ltd         Microcontroller Specialists
PO Box 15-680, New Lynn      http://www.tla.co.nz
Auckland, New Zealand        ph  +64 9 820-2221
email: steveb@tla.co.nz      fax +64 9 820-1929
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