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Transistor Relay Driver Circuit

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relay (http://www.mouser.com/Passive-
Capacitors (/tag/relay) (/qa/)(/)
Resistors (http://www.mouser.com/Passive-

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.
(http://www.mouser.com/Passive- Batteries

Components/Potentiometers-Trimmers- (http://www.mouser.com/Power/Batteries/_/N-
Rheostats/_/N-9q0yi/) 5gbk/)
Relay Driver Circuit
Proximity Sensors 7 Segment Displays

(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Proximity- (http://www.mouser.com/Embedded-
Sensors/_/N-7h7mq/) Solutions/Display-Modules/_/N-6m71g/)

Relays

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Connectors

5g31/) (http://www.mouser.com/Connectors/_/N-5g3y/)

Pressure Sensors Switches

(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Pressure- (http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Switches/_/N-
Sensors/_/N-6g7qc/) 5g2h/)

Interface Modules

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Cords/_/N-6g7lo/)
content/uploads/2011/01/transistor-relay-driver.jpg)
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-
(http://www.mouser.com/Passive-
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
(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Temperature- Encoders (http://www.mouser.com/Passive-

Sensors/_/N-7gz50/) Keyhole orComponents/Encoders/_/N-6g7nx/)

Door Keys
Flashing Finder
(http://www.electroschematics.com/6281/keyhole-
Motors & Drives Liquid Sensors nder/)
(http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Motors- (http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Liquid-Level-
Drives/_/N-u86z/) Next Sensors/_/N-zqig/)

Current Sensors Electronic Doorbell

Timers
Light
(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Current-
Circuit (http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Industrial-
(http://www.electroschematics.com/6285/doorbell-light-circuit/)
Sensors/_/N-7gqeu/) Automation/Timers/_/N-budh3/)

Potentiometers & Trimmers

(http://www.mouser.com/Passive- Batteries
Related Tutorials
Components/Potentiometers-Trimmers- (http://www.mouser.com/Power/Batteries/_/N-
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-
(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Proximity- (http://www.mouser.com/Embedded-
circuit/)
Sensors/_/N-7h7mq/) Solutions/Display-Modules/_/N-6m71g/)
555 (TLC555) Relay Driver Circuit (http://www.electroschematics.com/7103/555-tlc555-
Relays
relay-driver-circuit/)
(http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Relays/_/N-
Connectors
Relay Driver (http://www.electroschematics.com/7123/relay-driver-2/)
5g31/) (http://www.mouser.com/Connectors/_/N-5g3y/)

Pressure Sensors Switches

(http://www.mouser.com/Sensors/Pressure- (http://www.mouser.com/Electromechanical/Switches/_/N-
Sensors/_/N-6g7qc/) 5g2h/)
11 Comments
Interface Modules

Varistors (http://www.mouser.com/Passive- (http://www.mouser.com/Embedded-

Components/Varistors/_/N-6g7mv/) Solutions/Interface-Modules/_/N-5g1o/)

Integrated Circuits - ICs DC/DC Converters

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Multimeters & Voltmeters RF Semiconductors

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Processors & Controllers

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Processors & Controllers

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Circuits-ICs/Embedded-Processors- Oscilloscopes (http://www.mouser.com/Test-

stephen
Controllers/_/N-a86bc/) Measurement/Oscilloscopes/_/N-5gff/)

Counters & Techometers

the capacitor should be before the 1k resistor
(http://www.mouser.com/Test- Wire & Cable (http://www.mouser.com/Wire-

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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