I have a solid state relay marked 240vac with 3-32 dc control. I connected the relay in series with a 60 watt lightbulb and the 120 volt mains. A 9 volt battery connected to the 3-32 v pins did not turn the light on. So, would I have to have 240 volts ac for it to work? In which case I need a new relay.
Is there something else I don't know but should?

Thanks for any help

 

While the SSR part number would help what you describe is a correct setup. Make sure the control voltage, your 9 volt battery is known good and the polarity applied to the SSR is correct. The 240 VAC rating is generally the maximum voltage, it should work just fine on 120 VAC.

Also on a everyday 9 volt battery the male snap is Positive (+) and the female snap is Negative. Again, make sure the polarity of the control voltage is correct on the SSR, it should work.

Ron

 

While the SSR part number would help what you describe is a correct setup. Make sure the control voltage, your 9 volt battery is known good and the polarity applied to the SSR is correct. The 240 VAC rating is generally the maximum voltage, it should work just fine on 120 VAC.

Also on a everyday 9 volt battery the male snap is Positive (+) and the female snap is Negative. Again, make sure the polarity of the control voltage is correct on the SSR, it should work.

Ron

Many decades ago I learned that the probability of a dumb mistake on my part was FAR greater than the probability of a new part being faulty. Yes, I checked the voltage and polarity of the 9 volt. I also tried a fully charged LiPO cell. It is a MidTex relay part number 650-24A100 and it certainly looks new. I bought it from a place than has never shipped me anything doggy. The control 9 volt load is about 15 MA when connected--does that sound right?

 

The control current sounds to be about right. This thing should work, there is really not much to it. The 120 VAC applied to the SSR in series with the load. Assuming a known good incandescent lamp I can't think of anything you could have wrong.

Ron

 

I may be wrong, but don't you need a common ground?

I was under the impression that most SSRs are made up of transistors and/or SCR thyristors and/or Triacs, your sure as hell not connecting the battery - terminal to AC?

 

Common ground? The SSR consist of an opto-coupler Triac Driver and a Triac. The SSR is labeled Control and the 9 - 32 volt ones with a (+) and (-) connection. The SSR (Triac) can switch either the High or Low side of the load. The beauty of an SSR is isolation so for example if I drive a SSR with a Digital Out line from for example a computer I have isolation between my high AC voltage and my control lines. There is no common ground or common neutral. So your DC control voltage is totally isolated from the line side.

Ron

 

This is what you should have:

The shown SCR is just typical as to the pin numbers. This is shown using high side switching meaning the 120 VAC Line High side is switched.

Ron

 

Hi,
Per the 240A10 specs, I think you need 85VAC to turn on the relay, so a 9V battery won't work.

 

I have a solid state relay marked 240vac with 3-32 dc control.

The original poster also calls out a part number of:

MidTex relay part number 650-24A100

I did see the data sheet for the Opto 22 24A10 but could not find a data sheet for the other part number. Yes, AC control SSRs are also pretty common.

Ron

 

The listing states Midtex 650-24a100 operates from 3-32 VDC and controls 120V to 240VAC .
Max.