RELAYS and OPTO-ISOLATION CONSIDERATIONS, Arduino Lockups etc.

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi,

I collected some of the information and guidelines on this subject on the Arduino-Info WIKI here:
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/RelayIsolation

There is also more general Arduino Power Control information here:
http://arduino-info.wikispaces.com/ArduinoPower

Comments, critiques, suggestions appreciated, to improve this. Email to me, or join the WIKI and collaborate.

Regards, Terry King
...On the Mediterranean in Italy
terry@yourduino.com

2

Hi Terry;

Both docs look very good to me. I know newcomers can have lots of trouble initially understanding and dealing with optocoupling and how to properly interface with them. Even the concept that relays have separate and independent voltage and current ratings for the coil and the contacts is not always intuitive for newcomers to the hobby. I think you are adding good value to those very cost effective, well built, but mostly poorly documented Asian relay boards.

As far as thyristor based SSR relays, I think there are many traps for newcomers concerning when trying to control inductive or capacitance loads and not understanding that the max load current ratings of those packages can only be approached if using proper heatsinking for the devices.

Again, good work;

Lefty

3

the max load current ratings of those packages can only be approached if using proper heatsinking for the devices.

\

Good Point! I need to find a good price on heatsinks for these solid state relays. Thanks!