How to drive a relay ?

[fero123]

I want to drive a relay ( 6 v relay ) that needs 75 mA from the output of a digital IC for example (74LS04) and the output current of the gate is not enough . . . .Please help me.

 

[Gene]

The easiest way to throw a mechanical switch is to match your relay to the output device (i.e., buying the correct relay). If this is not possible, consider running your IC output to a switching transistor. The IC can supply enough juice to turn the transistor on and it can (in turn) turn on your relay.

Of course, you could run the IC output to a small PC relay - and have it energze your larger relay - but that's silly (unless you already have the parts on-hand).

 

[mechie]

Relay driver

A transistor will do what you want ...
I reckon a BC109 (or BC107 or BC108 or BC184) will do the job, they can all cope with 100mA or more.
The resistor is to limit the base current to a safe value (or you could cremate the transistor's B-E junction).

To find a value you need the transistor's hfe (between 125 and 520 for those I listed), this is the gain. You want 75mA out so you must put at least 75/125 mA in to ensure the transistor is turned fully on and so not wasting power as heat.

0.6mA in to the base when the TTL is giving 5v out (and the transistor is forward biassed and therefore dropping 0.6v (ish)). So there is 4.4v across the resistor.

Ohm's law says V=I*R so R=V/I

R= 4.4v / 0.6mA = 7.3kOhms. ###BUT### this is the MINIMUM current for the transistor, a smaller resistor will be fine, all the transistors will cope with 5v EBO, we are calculating at 0.6v.

Try a 1k or a 3k3 resistor !!! (yes, we really do work things out like this !)

 

[arcom]

mechie, you are truly a magnificent artist

 

[kinjalgp]

Very funny :lol:

 

[john1]