The PVAZ172NPBF is a HEXFET® thru-hole power MOSFET Photovoltaic Relay with bounce-free operation. This photovoltaic relay is a single-pole, normally open solid state relay that can replace electromechanical relays used for general purpose switching of DC and AC loads. The output switch is controlled by radiation from a GaAlAs light emitting diode (LED) which is optically isolated from the photovoltaic generator. These units overcome the limitations of both electromechanical and reed relays by offering the solid-state advantages of high sensitivity, miniaturization, no contact bounce, long operational life, insensitivity to external magnetic fields, shock and vibration and high reliability inherent with solid state technology. It is ideally suited for switching high currents or low level signals without distortion or injection of electrical noise.