Photorelays help lower power consumption in battery-operated devices

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corp. has launched two new photorelays, the TLP170AM and TLP170GM, in a small 4-pin SO6 package. These devices target applications such as security systems, building automation, and other industrial equipment. They can be used to replace mechanical relays to gain advantages in reliability, size, speed, and noise.

The new devices, each consisting of an infrared LED optically coupled to a photo MOSFET, offer a maximum trigger LED current of 1 mA, which reduces input side power loss by increasing the sensitivity of the photodiode array. Using these photorelays for ON/OFF control in battery-powered security devices and various sensors contributes to lower power consumption and longer operation of devices, said Toshiba.

Key specs of the TLP170AM include a rated OFF-state output terminal voltage of 60 V and a constant ON-state current (ION) of 0.7 A, with pulse operation of up to 2.1A. The TLP170GM features a 350-V version with an ION of 110 mA constant current and 330 mA pulse operation. Both devices are UL and eUL recognized and VDE approved.

Toshiba said the 4-pin SO6 package enables a minimum isolation voltage of 3750 Vrms, which allows the devices to be used in equipment requiring high insulation performance.