An electronic switching component that turns on or off when a small external voltage runs across its control terminals
Solid state relays (SSRs) use a low-power electrical signal to generate an optical semiconductor signal, typically with an optocoupler. When activated, the input optical signal acts as the "switch" that allows a high-voltage signal to pass through the SSR's output component. The main advantages of a solid state relay over a conventional electro-mechanical relay are that it has no moving parts to wear out and can switch "ON" and "OFF" much faster than mechanical relays. Besides solid state components, Octopart provides access to power relays, signal relays, and time delay relays.