Re: Relay ratings

From: CFoley1064 (cfoley1064_at_aol.com)
Date: 09/14/04 

Date: 14 Sep 2004 20:29:23 GMT

>Subject: Relay ratings
>From: "Rylos" unknown
>Date: 9/14/2004 10:29 AM Central Daylight Time
>Message-id: <XdSdnbYEu-f5k9rcRVn-rg@buckeye-express.com>
>
>Hello All,
>
>I have a relay which has a rating of 1A at 24VDC. The current rating is
>pretty obvious but is the voltage rating the maximum open circuit voltage
>across it's terminals? Thanks.
>
>-Dave
>

The relay is rated to switch a 24VDC resistive load at 1 amp for the
manufacturer-specified number of times before failure. That number can be
anywhere between 20,000 and millions, depending on the spec ***. If you use
a higher DC voltage, you will get excessive arcing at contact open/close, which
will reduce life, pit the relay contacts and possibly cause them to spot weld
together on make. Usually it's rated that way because of contact separation
and contact separation speed.

Good luck
Chris