Amber Solutions announced Wednesday that the solid-state digital control of electricity is now possible in every device, appliance, power cord and endpoint with the availability of its patented Amber AC/DC Enabler and Amber AC Switch.

The AC/DC Enabler is a patented, UL-certified and globally compatible 30mm x 15mm x 8mm solid-state digital power management and control system, combined with the recently patented Amber AC Switch. These foundational technologies represent a breakthrough in software management of electricity through solid-state architecture, and Amber has already integrated them into fully demonstrable solid-state products, such as a smart programmable retrofit circuit breaker. Also, the company offers smart dimmer switches and smart outlets, both of which showcase more than 10 features within a single gang box footprint. Amber’s technologies are now available for integration into products that fit in existing gang boxes, as well as an expansive range of other electrical products and appliances.

Amber’s solid-state technology is an advanced Digital Power Management and Control system (DPMC) — a tiny solid-state device that efficiently runs power to highly sophisticated micro-controllers, processors and RF devices directly from the AC main. It apparently eliminates the need for bulky electromechanical components such as capacitors and magnetics that limit the reliability and functionality of devices today, reducing the component count by a factor of 2.5. Amber replaces these old technologies, which today cause industry issues ranging from region-specific SKUs to flickering in LED bulbs to just not having the physical space to integrate intelligence and advanced features. Eventually, Amber says the company will put all of these components on a single silicon chip.

In recent years, a few manufacturers in the building electrical products industry have begun to explore solid-state electrification, but they focus almost exclusively on circuit breakers. Amber Solutions’ patents, technologies and demonstrable products represent the first solid-state power management and control solution that can integrate into all parts of a building’s electrical infrastructure, appliances and other powered devices. This enables the creation of a unique smart ecosystem directly embedded in the electrical grid of buildings using existing gang boxes.
The company envisions a world where every circuit breaker, outlet, light switch and appliance is connected and communicating in real-time, providing insights into energy usage, novel control schemes such as integrated voice control and even potentially reducing insurance costs as electrical fires become a thing of the past.

The AMPE2W5 Amber AC/DC Enabler, a solid-state AC Direct power solution, recently received UL recognized component certification for UL 1102. The Amber AC/DC Enabler has a wide range of applications. It is designed for internal, low-power solutions, with a specific focus on optimizing IoT functions in wired smart products. Together with Amber’s AC Switch, these core technologies are commercially ready for licensing to global manufacturers of electrical products, appliances and smart systems.

More information on the technology is here.