relay switching problem

[mah]

I used the attached circuit to switch relay from MCU. the relay switched but after couple of times it doesn't switch till i disconnected the input and trigger it. i hear sound of the relay isn't able to switch completely sometimes when i connect the input what is the problem?
the relays are connected in that manner to reverse motor direction.

 

[Ian Rogers]

If they are automotive relays the coil will need +100mA I don't think the base resistors are letting in enough current.

I normally use darlingtons to switch relay currents.... I always use 330 or 470 ohm base resistors...

 

[mah]

the relay coil resistance is 76 ohm - coil 5vdc. should i reduce base resistance values?

 

[Ian Rogers]

The 2n2222 has a gain of 100 ( min value ) the coil will be 65mA so theoretically it will work as is... There must be a capacitive build up on the circuit.. But The 2n2222 will drive better.. It's a 1A device so to saturate it I would give it 10mA on the base.. A 470 will give @ 9mA..

If I'm talking rubbish, someone else will pipe in with other answers..

 

[Pommie]

I would guess that the MCU is crashing due to a noisy power supply. Do you have good decoupling? If the motor has inertia then when you reverse it you turn it momentarily into a generator and that can cause big problems - lots of big capacitors needed.

Mike.

 

[mah]

there is capacitor 1000 uf on supply and capacitors on the IC VCC leg. the motor has low inertia.

 

[Pommie]

A complete schematic would help.

the moros has loa inertia.

Does that mean the motors have lots of inertia?

Mike.

 

[mah]

i shorted the collector emitter,it doesn't switch

 

[Ian Rogers]

i shorted the collector emitter,it doesn't switch

Then it's your relays.... Have you a part number for the relay's... If they have an integral diode there may be problems..

 

[mah]

this is written on relay aiks relay arp03f-1c-5vdc
could i increase the voltage on the coil it is written in datasheet coil voltage 3-48vdc
http://www.aiks.hk/products-show.asp?classid1=318&classid0=295&classid2=375

 

[JimB]

the voltage on the coil it is written in datasheet coil voltage 3-48vdc

That is not ONE relay, but a RANGE of relays each version with a different operating voltage.
What voltage is written on your relay?

JimB

 

[Les Jones]

You need to be more precise in the description of the fault. You say the "relays don't switch" Is the problem that they don't switch on or or they don't switch off ? What is the voltage across the coil in the energised and unenergised state both at first when they are working and when they are not working ?

Edit. Jim,I have justs noticed your post #11. I thought the same as you at first but mah gives the part number written on the relay as "arp03f-1c-5vdc" and there is a link to the datasheet in his link. From this the relay does look to have the correct spec.

Les.

 

[mah]

my relay is 5 vdc , i increased the voltage on it and it switched with zero voltage on transistor base.

 

[Ian Rogers]

my relay is 5 vdc , i increased the voltage on it and it switched with zero voltage on transistor base.

You cannot increase the voltage or the relay will be damaged... 5vdc is it's running voltage..

 

[JimB]

my relay is 5 vdc , i increased the voltage on it and it switched with zero voltage on transistor base.

Something is very wrong in that case.
If there is 0v on the base, the transistor cannot be turned on.
Is the transistor correctly connected?

JimB

 

[mah]

when the relay is on ,the voltage on transistor VBe=1.3 v and Vce=0.6

 

[Les Jones]

Are you sure the base is +1.3 volts with respect to the emitter ? Are you sure you are not measuring between the emitter and the right hand end of the 1K resistor ?

Les.

 

[mah]

I measured it directly on the transistor legs.

 

[MikeMl]

Relay coil current and collector voltage as a function of transistor beta:


Shouldn't be a problem.

Take the just the relay, connect it to a variable DC supply. Slowly increase the voltage. Record the voltage at which the relay pulls in. Slowly decrease the voltage. Record the voltage where the relay relay armature releases.

 

[MaxHeadRoom78]

I used the attached circuit to switch relay from MCU. the relay switched but after couple of times it doesn't switch .

For MCU/relay switching I generally use a 2N7000 now, Mosfet, less components.
Max.