ZeroLeak: Momentary On/Off with NO Standby Current

What is it?

ZeroLeak is an innovative electronic switch system that revolutionizes the momentary button on/off functionality without any standby leakage current. Powered by a dedicated onboard microcontroller and a specially designed bistable relay switch, ZeroLeak ensures complete power cutoff when not in use, thereby conserving battery life like never before. (See Demo Video). In the demo, an Arduino Micro Pro is powered from an external power supply. Pressing the momentary button toggles the physical power connection to the Arduino Pro Micro.

How it Works:

Traditionally, in designing electronic systems that employ momentary buttons for on/off functionality, the devices often remain in a standby mode rather than powering down entirely. This standby mode is necessary for detecting wake-up events but results in a continuous drain on batteries. 

However, we have developed this groundbreaking ZeroLeak product that eliminates standby current altogether. By integrating a dedicated onboard MCU and a bistable relay switch, this product achieves seamless on/off control using a momentary button without any power leakage during "off" mode.

Step 1: In its default state, both the ZeroLeak breakout board AND the host circuit is completely disconnected from power.

Step 2: Upon pressing the onboard momentary tactile button, an electrical connection activates the MCU on the ZeroLeak, which then toggles the bistable relay switch. The relay switch's outputs are then linked to the HOST circuit, enabling on/off functionality without any standby power consumption.

Step 3: When the onboard momentary button is released, ZeroLeak is disconnected from power. But power to the HOST circuit is connected via the bistable relay switch.

Step 4: When the onboard momentary button is pressed once again, the ZeroLeak onboard MCU toggles the bistable relay switch, turning off the HOST circuit.

This innovative solution, aptly named ZeroLeak, opens up unique use cases previously hindered by power constraints. From remote monitoring systems to energy-efficient IoT applications, ZeroLeak empowers users to deploy electronic devices in diverse settings without worrying about battery drainage during off periods.

Note: Don't like the onboard button? No worries, as we have added a pin in which you can connect your own button to act as the on/off switch. You can also take a look at our stylish Tactile Button with White LED Glow Breakout Board

The ZeroLeak breakout board has the following pinouts:

• VIN: 3.3V - 5V
• BTN: Connect this pin to VIN via an optional external button of your choice to act as host on/off
• VOUT: Power pin for HOST circuit
• GND: GND pin for ZeroLeak and HOST circuit

Potential Use Cases:

Wearable Safety Medical Alarm System: Leave batteries disconnected without drainage current. Activate alarm with a single press of a button.

Emergency Response Systems: Critical emergency equipment such as alarms and safety lights can be integrated with ZeroLeak for instant activation without standby power consumption, guaranteeing readiness when needed most.

Portable Electronics: From handheld tools to outdoor gadgets, ZeroLeak ensures that devices remain in off mode without draining battery power, ready for immediate activation when required.

IoT Deployments: In IoT applications, ZeroLeak maximizes battery life for devices scattered across vast networks, allowing for efficient operation without constant power drain during off mode.