Amber Solutions debuts AC/DC enabler and AC switch

The Amber AC/DC enabler is designed for internal, low-power solutions, with a specific focus on optimizing IoT functions in wired smart products

Amber Solutions has unveiled its newly patented Amber AC/DC Enabler and Amber AC Switch.

The AC/DC Enabler is an UL-certified and globally compatible 30mm x 15mm x 8mm solid-state digital power management and control system, which, combined with the Amber AC Switch, “represents the first major breakthrough in electricity control and delivery in more than 70 years,” according to the company.

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 and 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.

“Amber performs nothing short of magic with electricity and Thomas Edison would be proud of what we have achieved,” Amber Solutions Founder, President and CEO Thar Casey said. “Solid-state control of electricity changes the rules of the game for everything — security and control systems, circuit breakers, lighting fixtures, appliances, dimmer switches — the list goes on forever. Through commercial implementations of our technologies within the existing electrical infrastructure of any building, any home or business can add IoT functionality overnight by replacing existing outlets and switches with Amber-enabled products. Manufacturers can now engineer and market powered products with far greater capabilities right out of the box.”

According to Casey, the company has received five patents to date and has more than 31 patents pending.

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. In addition, the company has demonstrable 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 innovation in 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 eliminates the need for bulky electromechanical components such as capacitors and magnetics that limit the reliability and functionality of devices today, effectively reducing the component count by a factor of 2.5. Amber fully replaces these old and outdated 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 modern intelligence and advanced features. Eventually, Amber will put all of these components on a single silicon chip.

Casey said that the company currently has agreements with four leading global electronics manufacturers to explore possible new product solutions that incorporate Amber’s core technologies.