Solid State 1-Channel Relay Controller for IoT

This I2C 1-channel Solid-State relay controller was designed to function as a shield for Particle Electron.

Control the on-board relay from the cloud using cellular connectivity or develop your own relay control firmware. Solid-State Relay control is easy using our firmware examples in our GitHub repository.

Cellular connectivity means you have access to this device in any location supported by the Particle Electron cellular communications module (not included). Ideal for agricultural or remotely located switching applications, including pumps, valves, solenoids, lights, and much more. Providing cellular access means you have a way to stay connected and in control in the most remote locations without wires.

Stay Connected to the cloud and access this controller from anywhere in the world using Particle Electron. Don’t forget to visit our GitHub repository, which allows you to download and customize the firmware in this device for your specific needs.

This controller includes an on-board I2C expansion port, allowing an easy pathway to expansion for controlling more relays, reading sensors, or expanding to any I2C device we develop in the future. Up to eight MCP23008 based devices may be connected to a single I2C port. The start address of this device is set using 3 on-board jumpers.

This is an I²C Master Device, capable of directly connecting to any of our Cross-Platform I²C Slave Devices using the I²C Output. It is directly compatible with:

Particle Electron
Particle Photon (Particle.io)
Bluz Module (Bluz.io)
ESP8266 Module

If using a Particle module, the PKFR Key Fob Receiver overlay shield may be used.

This device may be converted for direct use with:

Arduino Nano using the Arduino Nano Adapter
Arduino Micro using the Arduino Micro Adapter
Onion Omega 1&2 using the OC Adapter
Pycom WiPy using the WiPy Adapter
Adafruit Huzzah ESP8266 using the Adafruit Huzzah Adapter

This device may be converted to an I²C slave device using the Slave Adapter, ideal for use with Raspberry Pi, Beaglebone, Arduino Uno, and BridgeX5.

Arduino Interfaces:
Use the Slave Adapter and a Arduino Uno Interface Adapter
Use the Slave Adapter and a Arduino Nano I²C Shield
Use the Slave Adapter and plug into any Arduino Nano Master Device
Use the Slave Adapter and plug into any Arduino Micro Master Device

Raspberry Pi Interfaces:
Use the Slave Adapter and a Raspberry Pi I²C Interface Adapter
Use the Slave Adapter and a Raspberry Pi 2/3 I²C Interface Adapter
Use the Slave Adapter and a Raspberry Pi Zero I²C Interface Adapter

BeagleBone Interface:
Use the Slave Adapter and a BeagleBone I²C Interface Adapter

Windows 8/10 PC Interface:
Use the Slave Adapter and a Bridge Series Controller

Solid-State relays are quiet with a long operational life, and should be used in critical applications where reliability is of the most importance. Solid-State relays must be carefully chosen for your particular application. This controller hosts SPST Solid-State relays only, providing 2 connections to each relay: Common and Normally Open. When the relay switches on, the Common connection is connected to the Normally Open. External loads may be wired to be off all the time and turn on when the relay turns on. Relays are controlled using the MCP230xx Series Programmable GPIO Port Expanders from Microchip Technology.

Relays are controlled by a MCP23008 using GPIO0:{N}, where {N} is the number of relays-1 (for a 4 channel controller this means GPIO0:3). Other GPIOs are available for user interface via screw terminals. Controlling on-board relays is easy: Set GPIO0:N as Digital Outputs. Next, set the on/off status of GPIO0:N to activate the corresponding relays. LEDs indicate the status of on-board relays. All of these operations are handled for you when using the drivers supplied in our GitHub repository (ControlEverythingCom). Induction suppression capacitors are strongly advised for inductive switching applications (anything that generates a magnetic field). Induction suppression capacitors will prolong the life of the relays and help prevent malfunctions when switching high voltages.

This controller applies a 12VDC voltage into the gate of a Solid-State relay through a 512 Ohm resistor. This controller is safe for relays rated with a maximum 10VDC gate voltage. This controller is generally used with relays that accept a voltage range of 3-12VDC gate voltage. Solid-State Relays are subject to MINIMUM load requirements. Extremely low signals may NOT be switched by Solid-State Relays if they do not meet the minimum load requirements.

Solid-State Relays are available for AC or DC switching applications, which are NOT interchangeable. AC relays may not be used to switch DC loads, similarly, DC relays may not be used to switch AC loads. DC RELAYS ARE POLARITY SENSITIVE, AND MAY BE DAMAGED IF IMPROPERLY CONNECTED. Some Solid-State Relays may require active forced-air cooling. Failure to apply cooling may result in permanent damage of the relay.

Please examine the datasheet for the particular relay you are using BEFORE connecting.

WE DO NOT WARRANTY SOLID-STATE RELAYS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.