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Transistor Relay Driver Circuit
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Components/Capacitors/_/N-5g7r/) Components/Resistors/_/N-5g9n/)
One of the serious problems in relay operated circuits is the relay clicking or
Input Devices Transformers
chattering during the on/o of the relay driver transistor. This problem is
(http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Industrial- (http://www.mouser.com/Power/Transformers/_/N-
severe if the input circuit is a light/temperature sensor. During the transition
Automation/Input-Devices/_/N-5g20/) 8u9mo/)
of light/temperature levels, the relay clicks which may cause sparking of
Temperature Sensors
contacts. By using a simple tip, this problem can be avoided.
(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Temperature- Encoders (http://www.mouser.com/Passive-
Below is the circuit of a relay driver using the
Sensors/_/N-7gz50/) NPN transistor BC 548. The relay
Components/Encoders/_/N-6g7nx/)
is connected
Motors & Drives between the positive rail and the collector
Liquid Sensors of the transistor.
When the input signal passes through the(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Liquid-Level-
(http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Motors- I K resistor to the base of the
transistor, it conducts and pulls the relay.Sensors/_/N-zqig/)
Drives/_/N-u86z/) By adding a 470 uF electrolytic
capacitor
Current at
Sensors the base of the relay driver transistor,
Timers a short lag can be induced
so that the transistor switches on only if the
(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Current- input signal is persisting.
(http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Industrial-
Again,even if the input signal ceases, the transistor
Sensors/_/N-7gqeu/) remains conducting till
Automation/Timers/_/N-budh3/)
the capacitor
Potentiometers discharges
& Trimmers completely. This avoids relay clicking and the o ers
clean switching of the relay.
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Relay Driver Circuit
Proximity Sensors 7 Segment Displays
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Multimeters & Voltmeters RF Semiconductors
transistor relay driver circuit schematic
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Another
Processors 470uF capacitor
& Controllers
http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relaydriver/ is added parallel to the relay coil which maintains 2/11
8/9/2016 TransistorRelayDriverCircuit
Another
Processors 470uF capacitor
& Controllers is added parallel to the relay coil which maintains
(http://www.mouser.com/Semiconductors/Integrated-
steady current through the relay coil so that relay clicking can be avoided if
Circuits-ICs/Embedded-Processors- Oscilloscopes (http://www.mouser.com/Test-
the power
Capacitors supply varies momentarily. Resistors (http://www.mouser.com/Passive-
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Controllers/_/N-a86bc/) Measurement/Oscilloscopes/_/N-5gff/)
Components/Capacitors/_/N-5g7r/) Components/Resistors/_/N-5g9n/)
IN 4007
Counters diode eliminates
& Techometers back e.m.f when the relay switches o and protects
Input Devices Transformers
the transistor. LED indicates the on status
(http://www.mouser.com/Test- of the
Wire relay
& Cable (http://www.mouser.com/Wire-
(http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Industrial- (http://www.mouser.com/Power/Transformers/_/N-
Measurement/Counters-Tachometers/_/N-budrw/) Cable/_/N-5ggl/)
Automation/Input-Devices/_/N-5g20/) 8u9mo/)
Temperature Sensors
Previous
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Sensors/_/N-7gz50/) Keyhole orComponents/Encoders/_/N-6g7nx/)
Door Keys
Flashing Finder
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Motors & Drives Liquid Sensors nder/)
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Drives/_/N-u86z/) Next Sensors/_/N-zqig/)
Current Sensors Electronic Doorbell
Timers
Light
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Potentiometers & Trimmers
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Rheostats/_/N-9q0yi/) 5gbk/)
Snap Acting Relay Circuit (http://www.electroschematics.com/5784/snap-action-relay/)
Proximity Sensors 7 Segment Displays
Temperature Relay Circuit (http://www.electroschematics.com/6838/temperature-relay-
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circuit/)
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555 (TLC555) Relay Driver Circuit (http://www.electroschematics.com/7103/555-tlc555-
Relays
relay-driver-circuit/)
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Connectors
Relay Driver (http://www.electroschematics.com/7123/relay-driver-2/)
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Pressure Sensors Switches
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Sensors/_/N-6g7qc/) 5g2h/)
11 Comments
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stephen
Controllers/_/N-a86bc/) Measurement/Oscilloscopes/_/N-5gff/)
Counters & Techometers
the capacitor should be before the 1k resistor
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Measurement/Counters-Tachometers/_/N-budrw/)
Posted Cable/_/N-5ggl/)
on December 08th 2015 | 6:47 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-driver/#comment-
1874570)
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vipi
can this circuit eliminate the load to the sensor
Posted on February 05th 2015 | 10:30 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-1500800)
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vipi
what should be the rating of the relay
5v relay can be used with this circuit
Posted on February 05th 2015 | 10:26 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-1500792)
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ajay
I donn understand input signal,what is it?
Posted on December 22nd 2013 | 2:15 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-274419)
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Jim Keith
The input signal is a voltage in the order of 3 to 12V or so generally non-critical. Just
keep in mind that the base current should be about 5 to 10% of the collector current, so
the 1K input resistor value is dependent upon relay coil and LED current (collector
current).
Posted on December 22nd 2013 | 3:13 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-274420)
Mehtab
Thanx
Posted on November 29th 2013 | 3:54 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-274186)
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Paul
The capacitor on the base will not harm the transistor in any way. It only serves to
allow a time delay of when the relay will turn o when the input signal is lost.
Posted on March 11th 2012 | 9:13 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-246408)
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Sam
Capacitor with relay will be discharged through relay so no worries. However capacitor
at transistor base may be a problem, may require a bleeder resistor, not sure, not an
expert.
Posted on June 14th 2011 | 7:57 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
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Posted on June 14th 2011 | 7:57 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-49220)
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Rajavel-Bengaluru
Very poor design.High MFD cap in base must destroy the transistor.Like eletronics is a
childplay.I am join with you Siva.
Posted on February 01st 2011 | 12:22 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-26248)
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Sivanand
The transistor will be destroyed or short lived if switched on with such a high
capacitor at its collectorI think the author has to learn about adding hysteresis to
drivers.
Posted on February 01st 2011 | 10:13 am (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-26243)
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Mihai
AMEN TO THAT!
Posted on December 01st 2012 | 3:14 pm (http://www.electroschematics.com/6283/relay-
driver/#comment-260895)
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