HB Controls

07/27/2026

Simplify Your Control Panel

The HBControls three-phase HBC-2Z & HBC-3Z Series combine high-performance solid-state switching with an integral heat sink in a convenient DIN rail-mounted package designed for industrial control panels.

Features include:
✅ Two-pole and three-pole output configurations
✅ Zero-cross switching up to 75A
✅ 42–600 Vac output ratings
✅ DC or universal AC / DC control inputs
✅ cULus Listed and CE Compliant
✅ IP20 touch-safe housing
✅ Models with integrated cooling fan and over-temperature protection for higher current applications

Whether you're controlling heaters, motors, or other industrial loads, the HBC-Z Series helps reduce panel space, simplify installation, and eliminate the hassle of selecting separate relays and heat sinks.

Learn more or contact us to discuss your application.
https://www.hbcontrols.com/hbc2z-hbc3z

01/14/2026

𝗛𝗕𝗖-𝟭𝗭 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

When reliability and real estate can’t be compromised, the HBC-1Z series delivers. These single-phase solid-state contactors pack industrial-grade performance into a slim DIN-mount footprint with an integrated, thermally efficient heat sink.

Because they use zero-crossing SCRs, the output stays off until the AC sine wave nears zero. This reduces inrush stress on your loads and helps prolong both controller and equipment life. LED status indicators make it easy to confirm control signals at a glance, and rugged transient protection on the output guards against unexpected line disturbances.

With control voltages that support AC or DC inputs and ratings up to 85 A at 42–600 VAC, HBC-1Z contactors are versatile enough for heaters, motors, and other industrial loads—fully cULus Listed for UL panel integration and compliant with applicable IEC/EN standards.

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲:
• 17.5mm to 70mm DIN mount single-phase solid-state contactors
• Zero-crossing output ratings up to 85 amps @ 42-600Vac in a 40°C ambient environment
• 4-32Vdc or 20-275Vac / 24-190Vdc control voltage with LED status indicator
• Integrated fan with over temperature protection (85A models)
• I2T ratings up to 18,000 A2S
• Integrated output over voltage transient protection
• IP20 touch-safe housing
• Design according to EN/IEC60947-4-2, EN/IEC60947-4-3, EN/IEC62314, UL508, CSA 22-2 No. 14-13
• 100 kA short circuit current rating according to UL508
• cULus Listed, CE Compliant

17.5mm to 70mm DIN mount, 20A to 85A single-phase solid-state contactors, AC or AC/DC input voltage

10/27/2025

𝗦𝗦𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

All Power Controllers generate electromagnetic noise—it’s just a matter of how much.

When an input signal is applied to a 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼-𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿, the output won’t conduct until shortly after the AC line passes through zero. Because the output semiconductors need a few volts to trigger (typically ~6 Vpk), they don’t switch exactly at zero. That tiny delay causes a sudden change in load power—producing electrical noise that couples onto the AC network.

In SCR-based Power Controllers, this happens every half-cycle. Even with a continuous control signal, the semiconductors turn on and off twice per AC cycle due to their gate-trigger voltage and holding-current characteristics. The result: continuous conducted noise, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝟭𝟱𝟬 𝗸𝗛𝘇 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭 𝗠𝗛𝘇.

𝗘𝗠𝗖 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

Most zero-crossing controllers meet 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗔 conducted-emission limits (commercial or industrial use).

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗕 requirements (medical or residential) are more stringent and almost always require additional filtering.

Proportional or instantaneous-control Power Controllers always need external filtering to achieve Class A or B compliance.

👉 Designing for a noise-sensitive environment? We can help you select the right filtering solution for EMC compliance.

HBControls - Please feel free to contact us directly to let us help find the right power switching solution for your specific needs.

10/20/2025

𝗦𝗦𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜²𝗧 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 (𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿)

It’s not the most thrilling spec on a datasheet—but it’s one of the most important.

I²T represents the 𝘧𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 of a Power Controller’s output semiconductor—the amount of energy it can absorb before the silicon literally melts and opens the circuit.

It’s calculated from the manufacturer’s single-cycle surge current rating (typically about 10× the continuous current rating). Here’s the math behind it:

I²T = (Peak Surge Current ÷ √2)² × Half-Cycle Time
(8.33 ms for 60 Hz or 10 ms for 50 Hz)

In simple terms, 𝗜²𝗧 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗮 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁—before it sacrifices itself to protect the rest of the circuit.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗱𝗶/𝗱𝘁:
– di/dt measures how quickly current changes, not how much current is flowing.
– A di/dt failure usually results in a shorted die.
– An I²T failure typically vaporizes the silicon, leaving an open device.

So while I²T might sound like “datasheet filler,” it’s actually your Power Controller’s last line of defense in a surge event.

Need help selecting the right I²T rating for your application? Let’s talk:

HBControls - Please feel free to contact us directly to let us help find the right power switching solution for your specific needs.

10/13/2025

𝗦𝗦𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝘃/𝗱𝘁

Not all Power Controller “failures” are created equal—and not all are even failures.

🔹 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝘃/𝗱𝘁 (𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻-𝗢𝗻 𝗱𝘃/𝗱𝘁)
This refers to the rate of voltage rise across the output while the controller is off.
If the voltage rises too quickly, the controller can momentarily conduct—without any input signal.
It sounds bad, but it isn’t. The controller simply conducts for the remainder of that half-cycle (

HBControls - Please feel free to contact us directly to let us help find the right power switching solution for your specific needs.

09/15/2025

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲-𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘃𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀

Phase-angle and burst-fire controllers both regulate power, but they do it in very different ways:

🔹 Phase-Angle Controllers
– Applies a portion of each AC sine wave, turning on at different points depending on the control signal.
– Example: a 5V input on a 0–10V controller = ~50% power.
– Best for dimming lights or heating systems needing tight, fast control.
– Downside: can generate significant conducted emissions, so filtering may be required for EMC compliance.

🔹 Burst-Fire Controllers
– Delivers whole AC cycles, switching on/off in blocks.
– Example: with a 10-cycle time base at 50% power, the controller sends 5 cycles on, 5 cycles off.
– Great for heating applications and for reducing conducted emissions.
– Not ideal for lighting since the on/off cycling can cause flicker.

👉 Both types typically accept the same control signals (0–10V, 0–5V, 4–20mA, potentiometer input, etc.).

Still not sure which is right for your application? Let’s chat—we’ll help you find the best proportional controller for your needs.

HBControls - Please feel free to contact us directly to let us help find the right power switching solution for your specific needs.

09/08/2025

𝗦𝗦𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝘀

Over the years, countless solid-state relays have met their demise as a warped puddle of charred plastic and FR-4—victims of excessive internal temperatures. In many cases, the relay was running well below its rated load current, yet still failed catastrophically.

Why? Because an SSR’s true load-current rating isn’t fixed—it depends entirely on the heat sink it’s mounted to.

Our latest TechTip article explains why heat sinks are essential when using SSRs, and how their thermal impedance directly impacts the maximum current your relay can safely and continuously switch.

And if you’d rather skip the trial-and-error, give us a call—we’ve overheated a few ourselves and can help you choose the right heat sink to avoid future failures: 𝟴𝟬𝟬.𝟴𝟳𝟵.𝟳𝟵𝟭𝟴.

09/01/2025

𝗦𝗦𝗥 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗧𝗶𝗽: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿

Relative to our own life expectancy, solid-state relays (SSRs) and the power controllers built with them can seem like they last forever. That doesn’t mean they’re immune to the occasional evil spirit or nefarious force of nature at work in the real world. Still, more often than not, a call about an “out-of-the-box bad” SSR comes from someone sitting at a bench with a multimeter—checking the output circuit for impedance.

If you’ve ever done the same, you’re in good company. Unlike electromechanical relays and contactors, SSRs don’t “bang and clank” or have mechanical contacts that make continuity checks simple. Testing them the same way is perfectly logical—but SSRs sometimes defy intuitive logic.

That’s why we put together a straightforward TechTip article with clear guidelines on how to properly bench test a solid-state relay. And if you’d like additional assistance, give us a call—we’re always happy to chat: 𝟴𝟬𝟬.𝟴𝟳𝟵.𝟳𝟵𝟭𝟴.

http://www.hbcontrols.net/literature/How_to_test_a_solid_state_relay.pdf

08/25/2025

Why solid-state relays fail — and 4 ways to prevent their untimely demise!

Solid-state relays (SSRs) are built for reliability, but like any electronic component, they’re not invincible. The good news? Most failures are preventable if you know what to look for.

1️⃣ Poor Heat Management
Excess heat is the #1 killer of SSRs. Even a perfectly sized relay will fail prematurely if it can’t dissipate heat effectively. Proper heat sinking and airflow are essential.
2️⃣ Overcurrent, Overvoltage, & Surge Events
Driving an SSR beyond its rated limits — including excessive or repetitive surge current — can quickly lead to catastrophic failure. Always size for your worst-case load, not your average load.
3️⃣ Wrong Load Type
Not all SSRs are designed for all loads. Using the wrong type for inductive, capacitive, or high inrush applications can cause stress far beyond spec.
4️⃣ 𝗜mproper screw torque and thermal cycling
Improper screw torque and thermal cycling can loosen terminals over time, creating hotspots that damage the relay and surrounding equipment.

At HBControls, we don’t just sell SSRs — we help you select the right model, calculate heat sink requirements, and design assemblies that last.

📩 Need help avoiding premature failures? Contact us and we’ll make sure your SSR is sized, cooled, and installed for maximum service life.

HBControls - Please feel free to contact us directly to let us help find the right power switching solution for your specific needs.