Diode Bridge as a Switch ?

[Swaroop 21]

I have to turn the spot lights in my balconies on/off I am looking for a way to switch them without using relays. One way is to use TRIACs, while I was looking up for the methods I came across a method where they use a IGBT or some switching device across the output of a Diode Bridge.

I have never used it before so what are the things I should consider if I want to use this ? The lights are low power just 5W at 230V.
To turn them on or off with just a digital Signal from a RF receiver circuit with HT12D. Can I use SCR or MOSFET rated for high voltage ?

[tooki]

Just to be clear, when using this circuit, the nodes that you’re calling the “output” (because they would be, if using the bridge as a rectifier) are not the output of the circuit. The AC “inputs” of the bridge are put in series with the AC line.

But for simple on/off control, why not use a relay? And if not a mechanical relay, why not use a TRIAC or an SSR?

[Swaroop 21]

Just to be clear, when using this circuit, the nodes that you’re calling the “output” (because they would be, if using the bridge as a rectifier) are not the output of the circuit. The AC “inputs” of the bridge are put in series with the AC line.

But for simple on/off control, why not use a relay? And if not a mechanical relay, why not use a TRIAC or an SSR?

I am sorry I didn't mean to say the output of the circuit rather I wanna point out the placement of the switch.
And the reason for not using relays is because of space constrains, although relays are small but to drive them I will need a few 10mA for which I would require a good sized capacitive dropper hence I am looking forward to use this kind of solid state switching mechanism. Secondly I can use TRIACs but at this moment I ran out of those MOC3083 Optos. So I was just wondering about to look for another way and came across this so as I had the required things I thought about asking it here because I am not sure how it will behave with the LED SPOTLIGHTs. If this ain't a good solution I would just have to wait until the MOC3083's arrive Nothing wrong with the relays too but just want to know about this circuit, might be useful in future ?