Derate switch for DC?

I'm looking for switches to control standard automotive 12v relays. Coil current is about 200 milliamps. I need mom/off/mom in spdt and dpdt. All I find are 125v and 250v switches with various current ratings, 15 to 20 amps.

What is the downside of using these AC rated switches?

Mike

Reply to
amdx
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If they're switching only 200 mA they'll be fine.

Ed

Reply to
ehsjr

"amdx"

** Probably there is none in your example.

Switches rated for so many amps at 125 or 250 volts AC are *normally* also suitable for 12 volt and 24 volt DC switching at the same current. Above 24 volts DC, the chance of a sustained arc forming across the contacts upon breaking a circuit becomes very high - switching high current DC requires special techniques.

One proviso is that the load be predominantly resistive - highly inductive loads or loads with high inrush surges like halogen lamps and transformers are special cases.

Relay coils are capable of generating large voltage spikes when de-energised - so it is good practice to place a diode or small cap across the coil to suppress the spike which otherwise can provoke contact arcing.

..... Phil

Reply to
Phil Allison

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