My Version of SSR

[barrynash17]

Here is one of my spare SSR's less the heatsink. Theses are 8 amp triacs. These worked without a flaw this year. Does anybody have any input on how to make them better

[barrynash17]

Here is the schematic

These were home etched double sided boards.

[barrynash17]

Sorry, Here is a better schematic

[tconley]

why do you face all the terminal blocks inward?

[P. Short]

All of those traces under the opto-isolators are less than desirable. The current coop SSRs (both Sean's and the SSROZ) are very nice because they have a large physical space between the AC side and the low voltage side of the board. Those other boards are a lot less likely to have problems when there is moisture and/or dirt on the boards.

The problem with having the traces the way that you have them is that current can flow over the surface of the board when there is any amount of contamination on the board. The greater the distance that the current has to flow to go from the AC side to the low voltage side, the better off you are. I personally like to see that distance become the entire width of the opto packages (about .25" to .3"). You might even consider conformal coating with the board the way that it is now.

--

Phil

[barrynash17]

why do you face all the terminal blocks inward?

When the board is placed inside the receptical, the wires feed inwards rather than out. It seems to keep the footprint smaller.

[barrynash17]

All of those traces under the opto-isolators are less than desirable. The current coop SSRs (both Sean's and the SSROZ) are very nice because they have a large physical space between the AC side and the low voltage side of the board. Those other boards are a lot less likely to have problems when there is moisture and/or dirt on the boards.

The problem with having the traces the way that you have them is that current can flow over the surface of the board when there is any amount of contamination on the board. The greater the distance that the current has to flow to go from the AC side to the low voltage side, the better off you are. I personally like to see that distance become the entire width of the opto packages (about .25" to .3"). You might even consider conformal coating with the board the way that it is now.

--

Phil



Thank you Phil, these are the types of answers that I am looking for. When it is pointed out like that, it makes only sense. The ones that I have built, (even though they worked this year) I will probably discard because I didn't use sockets on the optos. Just easier to redo the boards.

[acewingman]

Could I make a recommendation to follow the Hardware Design Guidelines forund in the Christmas Wiki... http://christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Design_Guidelines

More specifically, if I was looking for a design to use, I would not use this one since my contollers follow the design guidelines and have different pinouts for my RJ45 connectors.

[barrynash17]

Could I make a recommendation to follow the Hardware Design Guidelines forund in the Christmas Wiki... http://christmasinshirley.com/wiki/index.php?title=Hardware_Design_Guidelines

More specifically, if I was looking for a design to use, I would not use this one since my contollers follow the design guidelines and have different pinouts for my RJ45 connectors.

Perfect, I'll look at that as well.
Input appreciated.
Barry