SIRIUS 3RF34 solid-state switching devices 
  3.4 Functions 
SIRIUS Innovations 
System Manual, 01/2011, A8E56203870002-03 
327 
3.4  Functions 
Performance features 
The performance of the solid-state switching devices is essentially determined by the type of 
power semiconductors used and the internal design. In the case of SIRIUS solid-state 
contactors and solid-state relays, only thyristors are used in place of less powerful TRIACs. 
Two of the most important features of thyristors are the blocking voltage and the maximum 
load integral. 
Blocking voltage 
Thyristors with a high blocking voltage can also be operated without difficulty in networks 
with high interference voltages. Separate protective measures, such as a protective circuit 
with a varistor, are not necessary in most cases. 
For example, in the case of SIRIUS solid-state switching devices, thyristors with a blocking 
voltage of 800 V are fitted for operation in networks up to 230 V. Thyristors with up to 1600 V 
are used for networks with higher voltages. 
Maximum load integral 
One of the purposes of specifying the maximum load integral (I²t) is to determine the rating 
of the short-circuit protection. Only a large power semiconductor with a correspondingly high 
I²t value can be given appropriate protection against destruction from a short circuit in the 
form of a protective device matched to the application. However, SIRIUS solid-state 
switching devices are also characterized by the optimum matching of the thyristors (I²t value) 
to the rated currents. The rated currents specified on the devices according to 
DIN EN 60947-4-2 have been confirmed by extensive testing. 
Increased switching service life 
Compared with conventional switching devices, solid-state switching devices have an 
extremely long switching service life: 
Table 3- 5  Comparison of conventional switching devices with solid-state switching devices 
Characteristic  Conventional switching devices  Solid-state switching devices 
Switching service life  1 to 3 million operating cycles  More than 100 million operating 
cycles 
Power loss  Low  High 
Control power  High  Low 
Shock/vibration resistance  Average  Very high 
Noise development  Average  None 
Electrical isolation  Given  None 
Arcing  Given  None 
Reference 
More information ...  Can be found in the chapter titled 
About the performance features of solid-state 
switching devices 
Technical data (Page 350)