AC Switching in HomeAppliances: Perspectives for a Smart Power Management

摘要

Home appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators and air-conditioners are electronically controlled to reduce energy usage and enhance user comfort. Since these appliances are directly powered from 120 or 230 V mains, up to eight high-voltage AC switches handle the timer power interface, driving motors, valves and resistive heaters. They must be robust, free of electromagnetic interference and directly compatible with the micro-controller of the timer. Today, semiconductor switches, such as triacs, are popular because they are compact, require low driving energy, and are well adapted for load control up to 5A RMS. Furthermore, static AC switches benefit from continuous improvements to increase their reliability and quality, and become over-voltage protected thanks to their intrinsic robustness. Later on, they will also include embedded control for a more efficient power management and isolate users from mains hazards. Through the new ACS™ and ACST devices that are designed around the planar ASD™ technology, this paper illustrates the progress made on noise immunity and voltage robustness for power switches ranging from 1 to 25 A. These switches replace conventional solu ions and open perspectives for smart AC switching in timers and stand-alone AC applications. Thanks to the emergence of the System on Package technology, simple applicative control can now be added to the static switch in the same housing.