Electromechanical or Semiconductor solutions to control chandeliers and homes stuff

home-automationrelaysolid-state-relaytriac

I've been designing some wireless modules and finally got them to work and now I have a network of them and want to use them for home automation purposes. Controlling stuff like chandeliers, heating, and even simple lamps and so on. The load voltage is 220VAC and the current is normally up to 1 or 2 or in some cases 3 Amps I guess.

Now I'm wondering what is the best way to control those stuff? Electromechanical Relays or Semiconductor solutions like SSR, Triac, MOSFDET, … ?

I'm not sure which solution is the best. The thing is Since I want to install this system into other peoples homes I want it to be safe, very reliable, perfect and without any problems or dangerous in long term uses. You see I don't want to blow their homes! That's why I'm asking you guys.

On the other hand I sort of have a limitation for space considering I have to implement this system into a wall switch or the top of a chandelier somehow (for now I'm not sure which one to go). As always there is other limitation as well, Money!

Now what I think is that electromechanical relays do not generate too much heat in the load side. They are also simple to use. Although there is the contact sound.

But the thing about using relay is since I have 5V or even less trigger signal with not too much current I have to use small signal relays (right?). The latched version of these relays does not draw much current in the control side considering it latches its state. But unfortunately they don't switch high currents. Apparently up to 2.2A which maybe enough for me in some cases.
But about the long term use that I mentioned, I'm not sure electromechanical relays take care of that.

Now there is semiconductor solutions like SSR, Triac, MOSFET, and …
They don't generate sound as opposed to electromechanical relay.
I don't know about the size considering I've never used a SSR before and a discrete opto-triac and Triac (and probably a heat sink) may take too much space.
Plus I know SSR probably costs too much as opposed to other methods.

So with all the stories I just said what do you think would be my best option?

1-Simple Electromechanical Relays

2-Small Signal Relays

3-SSR

4-Opto-triac + Triac

5-MOSFET

or something I'm not aware of.

Best Answer

Im a noob in electronics, but i think you can use a electromechanical relay and a transistor together

Principle of use is 1. Amplify your 5v signal using a transistor (idk maybe a enhancement mode mosfet, ask a pro. You need one that will output 12v? When your base is supplied with 5v (n-p-n maybe))

  1. After your signal is amplified, feed it into the relay

Again, im a noob at electronics. But this should give you an idea

*electronechanical relay isolates the main line from your signal (i think)

*you will end up having a 12v line using this though