What is the difference between a solid state relay and a semiconductor

[Josh111]

What is the difference between a solid state relay and a semiconductor contactor?
Can both switch ac loads? This a link to a company that distinguishes between the two.

http://library.abb.com/global/scot/scot209.nsf/veritydisplay/da7ec357f6a7461cc12573ad004e1e83/$File/2CDC110004C0205_07.pdf

 

[m.s.j]

Regarding mentioned link, the static relay/semiconductor contactor are electronic type of conventional auxiliary relay/contactor (electromagnetic type) which constructed of electronic device such as transistor for low current switching which named static relay or thyristor for high current switching that named semiconductor contactors.
In power system protection fields, the term ‘static’ implies in static protective relay that the relay has no moving parts. This is not strictly the case for a static relay, as the output contacts are still generally attracted armature relays. In a protection relay, the term ‘static’ refers to the absence of moving parts to create the relay characteristic.
Introduction of static relays began in the early 1960’s.Their design is based on the use of analogue electronic devices instead of coils and magnets to create the relay characteristic. Early versions used discrete devices such as transistors and diodes in conjunction with resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc., but advances in electronics enabled the use of linear and digital integrated circuits in later versions for signal processing and implementation of logic functions. While basic circuits may be common to a number of relays, the packaging was still essentially restricted to a single protection function per case, while complex functions required several cases of hardware suitably interconnected. User programming was restricted to the basic functions of adjustment of relay characteristic curves. They therefore can be viewed in simple terms as an analogue electronic replacement for electromechanical relays, with some additional flexibility in settings and some saving in space requirements. In some cases, relay burden is reduced, making for reduced CT/VT output requirements.

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