Is using a darlington transistor pair the solution for my noisy relay switch?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges faced in using a transistor to switch a relay in a project. Participants explore the potential causes of noise from the relay and consider solutions, including the use of a Darlington transistor pair. The scope includes technical explanations and troubleshooting related to circuit design and component selection.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the relay is making noise and suggests that the voltage across it is around 5V, questioning if this could be the cause.
  • Another participant asks for a schematic to better understand the circuit and identifies several specific aspects that need clarification, such as the driving source for the transistor and the type of relay used.
  • A later reply mentions that some relays require significant current, which may be difficult to drive with a standard transistor, and suggests that a 9V battery may not provide sufficient current capability.
  • There is a suggestion to use enhancement mode MOSFETs as an alternative, which require less current from the driver circuit.
  • One participant proposes using a Darlington pair to achieve higher current gain, assuming bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) are being used.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the best approach to resolve the issue, with no consensus reached on a single solution. Multiple methods and considerations are discussed, indicating a lack of agreement on the optimal path forward.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not provided complete information about the circuit, such as the specific transistor type or relay specifications, which may impact the discussion. The effectiveness of proposed solutions remains uncertain due to these missing details.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals working on electronics projects involving transistors and relays, particularly those facing similar issues with switching and current requirements.

Godwin Kessy
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Am doing a project that has to use a transistor, as a switch, actually switching a 12V relay switch, that is actually responsible for switching another circuit, but as a result the relay doesn't switch ON, but makes noise continuously, in this clearly certain that the voltage across the relay is around 5V, can this be the cause of the noise, and by the way what can i do to solve it, am not aware of transistors with large large current gain, since the base current can't be easily altered and its very small, guys can you help me out here...
 
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hi godwin

there's a number of answers I could give you, all are valid but not necessarily specific to your situation.
Can you post a pic of the schematic of your circuit so that it can be looked at to see where you may have gone wrong.

some of the specific things we need to see are...
1)... what is driving the transistor ... ie... what is connected to its base
2)... voltage on the base and is there a current limiting resistor
3) ... type of transistor
4) ... where and how the relay is connected to the transistor
5) ... type of relay.

cheers
Dave
 
There it is man... Than you!
 
How can i insert a picture.. I have just uploaded the schematic diagram as attachment.. Is it going to work??
 
sorry the battery is -9V..
 
The diagram attachment process did not work, so maybe you could try again.

Some relays take a lot of current and are very difficult to drive with a transistor.

Also if you are powering a relay with a 9V battery, these have very poor current capability and my not be able to power the relay.

You can get enhancement mode Mosfets which can drive a relay but require very little current from the driver circuit as long as you have 4 volts or so.
 
How am i supposed to do it.. Just attaching??
 
Godwin Kessy said:
How am i supposed to do it.. Just attaching??
To attach a schematic you must first have it as a picture file on the computer you are using to post these messages. Then while typing your next message scroll down below the message composition box to where it says Attach Files, click on Manage Attachments.

An alternative to the above is to first store a copy of the file on any file sharing site (there are dozens of free ones), make sure it has permissions that allow the public to access it there (without needing a password, obviously), and then include the URL of that file in your message here.

Good job that your project isn't urgent. :wink:
 

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