Clare, Inc. introduced the CPC1017N, a miniature 1-Form-A, single-pole, solid state OptoMOS relay designed to cost effectively replace electromechanical reed relays in security systems including those that must comply with CENELEC's EN50130-4 immunity requirements. Clare is a global provider in the design and manufacture of solid state relays and high-voltage analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the communications market.

The CPC1017N uses two output MOSFETs which allow switching of AC and DC loads. The GaAIAs (Gallium Aluminum Arsenide) infrared optocoupling provides the input to output isolation to help security system designers meet the compliance requirements for the components of fire, intruder, access control, and CCTV. In addition, this low cost relay offers performance advantages over electromechanical relays in a broad range of applications including instrumentation, medical, aerospace and industrial equipment.

According to the Frost and Sullivan report "World PCB-Mounted Relay Market" over ten percent of the worldwide volume of reed relays is consumed by the security industry for use in passive infrared detectors, glass break sensors and other perimeter security sensors.

"While Clare has been the leader in replacing electromechanical and reed relays with solid state OptoMOS relays in the communications market, the CPC1017N provides security system designers the same advantages communications equipment designers have enjoyed for years: longer life, no noise, electromagnetic immunity and higher isolation," said Eric Koeken, Marketing Manager, Clare Europe. "This new high sensitivity relay not only carries a price comparable to less reliable reed relays, it consumes less power allowing designers to extend battery life or lower overall system power consumption and ultimately cost."

The CPC1017N employs Clare's patented OptoMOS architecture silently providing up to 1500 VRMS of input-to-output isolation and 2100 VAC isolation. The relay delivers the isolation necessary to meet the new EEC standards that became effective January 1, 2001, for mains-supply variation, electrostatic discharge, radiated electromagnetic fields, and other energy transients to provide arc free switching without the use of snubbing circuits. The tiny 4-pin SOP package provides up to a 75% space saving over reed relay solutions. The new relay features an ultra low 1 mA turn-on current, a robust 60 V load voltage and a 100mA load current. Other benefits of the CPC1017N are silent switching, long lifetime, low power consumption and magnetic interference immunity. The CPC1017N also complies with UL/C-UL and EN60950 specifications. The CPC1017N is surface mountable and wave-solderable.

Clare's expertise in analog/mixed-signal and high-voltage design enables the development of highly-integrated semiconductor solutions that both replace magnetics and enhance performance in wireline interface applications. Clare, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets optically isolated solid-state relays (OptoMOS), as well as mixed-signal custom ASICs and ASSP integrated circuits for the telecommunications market. Clare's products ensure reliable connectivity throughout the global public telecommunications network. Clare is traded on the NASDAQ exchange (CPCL).

Clare, Inc., 78 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly, MA USA 01915-1048. Tel: 800-27-CLARE (272-5273); Fax: 978-524-4700.

Clare has been replacing electromagnetic relays in the communications industry for years. Now they are offering a solid state relay solution for markets that traditionally have been served by reed relays. This isn't their first offering for the semiconductor relay market but it is their first that provides isolation from electromagnetic interference.

You probably wouldn't be surprised to read that solid state design is smaller than the reed relay approach. It's also not news that every industry is shrinking the size of its chips and reducing the power it uses. This solid state relay from Clare is a good match for perimeter security applications that typically are powered by batteries, and need small size and low power consumption. Designers take note, the CPC1017N relay uses only about 0.04 or 1/25th the operating power of typical reed relays.

The perimeter security devices like glass-break sensors are always on sensors and use these relays like a fault relay. The relay must be activated 100% of the time. Should power be taken away from the relay, it would open and trigger a fault condition. So power consumption becomes even more of an issue in those instances where you need to keep the relay on 100% of the time. That's why the CPC1017N's 1 mA drive current is a significant spec to notice. In addition, the powered-on resistance is about 16 ohms.

Another and more obvious difference between reed relays and solid state relays is size difference. The solid state relay has a very low profile 4-pin SOP and is only about 1/4th the size of an appropriate reed relay. This allows designers of the security device to make it thinner so it can hide better. The solid state relay also provides immunity from EMI without the need for shielding in the relay or the packaging, which is required for the coil in a reed relay design. Finally, with this version, Clare provides immunity to electromagnetic interference, I/O isolation, and ESD protection that meets the European norms that went into effect this year. This solid state relay should provide many design wins for Clare.

Clare's new CPC1017N OptoMOS relay is available now in production volumes. Volume pricing starts at $0.33 USD each in quantities of 50,000 and is deliverable in 100/tube or 2000/reel.

More information on the CPC1017N can be found at: http://www.clare.com/