A silicon-controlled rectifier is
installed in parallel with the 12-V line and connected to a normally-closed 12-V relay,
K1. The SCR's gate circuit is used to sample the applied voltage. As long as the applied
voltage stays below a given value, SCR1 remains off and K1's contacts remain closed,
thereby supplying power to the load. When the source voltage rises above 12 V, sufficient
current is applied to the gate of SCR1 to trigger it into conduction. The trigger point of
SCR1 is dependent on the setting of R1. Once SCR1 is triggered (activating the relay),
K1's contacts open, halting current flow to the load. |