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Driving relays..is this acceptable?

colporteur

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Is this acceptable? Are there any downsides?

I am looking to drive three 12V relays. My plan is to replace the single relay in the MOSET circuit with the three relays.

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  • Hi Sean,

    You can add as many relays (or any other load) as required, with the circuit as you've shown (or add extra diodes close to the relays as Mike mentions), if the total current consumption is supported by the MOSFET.

    Flexibility is lost for independent control, which depends on your need. However if (say) there is later found to be too high a surge current for whatever is being powered by the relays, then it's harder to do anything about it.

    Whereas if the relays were separately controlled, then they could be switched on in rapid sequence. It may not apply to your use-case, I'm just mentioning it as something to consider based on whatever you intend to do ultimately with it.

    In summary, it is fine to switch multiple relays with a MOSFET.

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  • Hi Sean,

    You can add as many relays (or any other load) as required, with the circuit as you've shown (or add extra diodes close to the relays as Mike mentions), if the total current consumption is supported by the MOSFET.

    Flexibility is lost for independent control, which depends on your need. However if (say) there is later found to be too high a surge current for whatever is being powered by the relays, then it's harder to do anything about it.

    Whereas if the relays were separately controlled, then they could be switched on in rapid sequence. It may not apply to your use-case, I'm just mentioning it as something to consider based on whatever you intend to do ultimately with it.

    In summary, it is fine to switch multiple relays with a MOSFET.

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