Low voltage switching circuit for controlling a high voltage electrical load

Abstract

Solid state high voltage electronic switching means, preferably a triac, is connected in series with a high voltage load, for instance, a light, across a high voltage alternating current power source. Contacts of a relay having a low voltage coil are operably connected for controlling the triac. A diode and solid state voltage limiting and storage means, preferably a zenier diode, are also connected in series across the high voltage alternating current power source converting alternating current to direct current and reducing and storing the now direct current providing a low voltage direct current power source. A capacitor may be connected in parallel with the zenier diode for aiding in storing and stabilizing the low voltage direct current. Alternately, low voltage switching means in the form of either a common on-off switch or a normally off-momentarily on manual switch operably connected to solid state low voltage electronic switching means are connected in series with the low voltage relay coil across the low voltage direct current power source for controlling the relay contacts thereby controlling the high voltage load with a low voltage circuit. The solid state low voltage electronic switching means forming part of one form of low voltage switching means may include a solid state flip-flop operably connected controlled by the normally off-momentarily on manual switch and operably connected to the base of a transistor with the transistor connected in series with the low voltage coil of the relay means across the low voltage direct current power source.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.