Electrical – How to wire Solid State Relays to a linear actuator

actuatorsolid-state-relay

Sorry for the dumb question, but I only know enough to get myself in trouble.. I've searched through previous questions and haven't found an answer that dumbs it down enough for me.

I'm trying to activate a 12vDC 12amp linear actuator (https://www.progressiveautomations.com/linear-actuator-ip66#ig_lightbox2[gal]/0/) to travel in/out using 2 solid state relays. (https://www.automationdirect.com/adc/Shopping/Catalog/Relays_-z-_Timers/Solid_State_Relays/Panel_Mount_Relays,_Hockey_Puck_Style,10A_-75A(AD-SSR6_Series)/AD-SSR6M12-DC-200D)

Ultimately an Arduino will control the relays, but for now I'm manually activating them with a 9v transformer for testing purposes. Currently it works fine with 1 relay attached, but when I attach the 2nd it short circuits. I believe the issue is my ground connecting to both leads on the linear actuator, but I'm not certain on how to rewire. Do I need a relay for both positive and negative leads? (4 total)enter image description here

Revised for changeover relay and diodes:enter image description here

Best Answer

With a simple switch type SSR you need to have a bipolar supply to use two of them.

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

If you only have a single supply, you can use four of them in a full-bridge.

schematic

simulate this circuit

In both cases care must be taken not to turn on both sides at the same time.

Note: I also showed you how to add diodes to protect the SSRs from the switching spikes that may occur then the switches open. This may already be covered internally to the relays, but extra does not hurt.

You can also drive the actuator with a single, more traditional, mechanical change-over relay.

schematic

simulate this circuit

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