As more systems move to compact, always-on electronics, the switching elements inside them are under pressure to do more with less power and less space. Mechanical relays can still handle many tasks, but contact wear, audible click noise, and higher drive currents all become drawbacks in dense or battery-powered designs. Littelfuse has introduced the CPC1056N solid-state relay to address those issues, giving engineers a 60 V, 75 mA 1-Form-A device that can be driven directly from low-power logic while still providing useful isolation and predictable behaviour.
Solid-State Switching For Space-Constrained Designs
The CPC1056N is built around a solid-state architecture, so there are no moving parts and no contact bounce to worry about. That alone makes it attractive in applications where signal integrity and long-term stability matter, such as security panels, medical instrumentation, and industrial control modules. Because it is housed in a 4-pin SOP package, it occupies very little board area, which is useful when designers need multiple channels on a compact PCB. The silent operation also helps in products that sit in occupied spaces, for example motion detectors, smart appliances, or building automation nodes where a clicking relay would be noticeable.
Low Input Current And Isolation Performance
One of the more practical aspects of the CPC1056N is its input requirement. The relay triggers at about 0.5 mA, which means it can be driven directly from TTL or CMOS outputs without a dedicated driver stage. For microcontroller-based systems, that keeps GPIO current budgets under control and makes it easier to scale up channel count without redesigning the front end. On the output side, the device supports a continuous load of 60 V and 75 mA, which suits low-voltage signal paths, control lines, and small actuators. A 1500 VRMS input-to-output isolation rating provides galvanic separation between logic and load, helping to protect sensitive control electronics in noisy environments or shared ground systems.
Behaviour In Real Applications
From a timing perspective, the CPC1056N switches on and off in roughly 3 ms, which is fast enough for many control and multiplexing tasks without introducing significant latency. In security systems, it can switch sensor lines and signalling paths cleanly without generating extra noise, which helps maintain reliable detection performance. In medical equipment, the lack of mechanical contacts reduces the risk of wear-related drift and keeps switching acoustically quiet around patients. For industrial automation, test equipment, and multiplexers, the predictable behaviour and lack of arcing simplify long-term maintenance planning.
Support For EV And Smart Infrastructure Designs
Littelfuse has also positioned the CPC1056N for use in EV charging infrastructure and smart metering. In those systems, the relay can handle signal-level switching, relay logic, or low-power control paths while working alongside Littelfuse protection components in the same design. Compact size allows designers to integrate more functionality into constrained enclosures, and the combination of low drive current and silent operation fits well with always-on equipment that must sit in the field for long periods. The same characteristics carry over to building automation and consumer electronics, where efficient, quiet, and maintenance-free switching is now expected rather than optional. For engineers, the main takeaway is that this device offers a straightforward way to add isolated switching without sacrificing board space or power budget.
Learn more and read the original announcement at www.littelfuse.com
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