Power supply system and method of controlling the power supply system

A method of controlling a power supply system including a power source, a relay interposed between the power source and a load, and a switch coupled to the load in a state where the switch allows or disallows for power supply from the power source to the load when the relay is in a closed state, wherein the relay is connected to the load independently of the switch being coupled to the load, the method comprising:

• detecting an operation state of the relay at a time of a closing operation of the relay;
• allowing or disallowing for the power supply from the power source to the load in accordance with a request for driving the load when the detected operation state indicates that the relay is in a usual operation state;
• and
• causing the switch to operate independently of the request for driving the load and thereby causing power to be supplied from the power source to the load, when the detected operation state indicates that the relay is in an abnormal continuity state,
• wherein the controller is configured to determine, at the time of the closing operation of the relay, whether continuity in the relay is normal,
• wherein the controller is configured to execute the forced driving control in a case where the continuity in the relay is determined as not being normal,
• wherein the load comprises a polyphase electric motor having two or more phases,
• wherein the switch comprises two or more switches,
• wherein the switches are provided for the respective phases of the electric motor,
• wherein the controller is configured to close one or more of the switches provided for a portion or all of the phases of the electric motor in the forced driving control,
• wherein the electric motor is configured to have an angle of rotation of the electric motor to be restricted to a predetermined angle when the relay is in an open state, and
• wherein the controller is configured to close one, of the switches, provided for a preceding application phase in the forced driving control, the preceding application phase being one, of the phases of the electric motor, on which preceding current application has been performed.