“Alternative energy” relays and contactors are switching components typically designed to be used in applications like solar inverters, battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicles (EV), and electric vehicle charging systems. These parts can be designed to manage AC or DC loads, and the voltage range of the applications range from low voltage to more than 1000 volts. Generally speaking, these components are designed to carry loads efficiently without switching the loads except in fault situations. These components have lower switching cycle life expectancies than appliance or industrial relays which are designed to switch their respective loads on and off every time.