Input circuit for alternating current signal, and motor starter including the same

A motor starter comprising:

• a contactor;
• and
• an overload relay comprising:
• an input for an alternating current signal from a pair of elongated conductors,
• an interface structured to output a logic signal from the alternating current signal of said pair of elongated conductors,
• a load switchable to said pair of elongated conductors, and
• a processor structured to:
• (i) output a control signal to switch said load to said pair of elongated conductors asynchronously with respect to said alternating current signal for a first predetermined time,
• (ii) input the logic signal,
• (iii) determine if the input logic signal is active a plurality of times during the first predetermined time and responsively set a first state of said alternating current signal, and, otherwise, set an opposite second state of said alternating current signal, and
• (iv) delay for a second predetermined time, which is longer than the first predetermined time, for the opposite second state before repeating said output, and, otherwise, delay for a third predetermined time, which is longer than the second predetermined time, for the first state before repeating said output.