Switch which can handle i<4A

[prohan86]

Hi,

I am working on a system in which I have to use a microcontroller to turn on a switch. So can any of the gurus here suggest which kind of device i have to use?? the switch has to handle currents of less than 4A.. a few frnds have suggested a relay.. but they are quite bulky.. so I am thinking of using a triac (may be BTB04-600SL).. which one should I use?? The system has to work for a long loooooooooooong time. please let me know if you have a better idea/device in mind.

Regards,
Rohan

 

[ericgibbs]

Hi,

I am working on a system in which I have to use a microcontroller to turn on a switch. So can any of the gurus here suggest which kind of device i have to use?? the switch has to handle currents of less than 4A.. a few frnds have suggested a relay.. but they are quite bulky.. so I am thinking of using a triac (may be BTB04-600SL).. which one should I use?? The system has to work for a long loooooooooooong time. please let me know if you have a better idea/device in mind.

Regards,
Rohan

hi,
Is the < 4A 'ac' or 'dc'
If its AC then a triac would be OK, if its DC a MOSFET would be a good choice.

 

[prohan86]

thanks a lot for the reply..

its dc so I will use a MOSFET. do u think it can survive heavy usage like 12 hrs a day for 10 yrs?? (while switching ON/OFF 10 times a day)

 

[Ubergeek63]

thanks a lot for the reply..

its dc so I will use a MOSFET. do u think it can survive heavy usage like 12 hrs a day for 10 yrs?? (while switching ON/OFF 10 times a day)

properly rated one could do that 100K times a second for ten years... just keep the junction temperature below 70C

 

[Hero999]

A MOSFET can turn on and of at 100k times a second so what you're asking it to do is not going to be a problem.

 

[prohan86]

Great...... but hey I am goin to put this in switch boards and that includes rooms where there will be no air conditioning.. will the temp of IC reach 70C for the usage I just mentioned, especially when the summer heat touches 45C ?? r there any methods to reduce the temp??

and also what is the max Id I can pass thro a mosfet??

 

[Hero999]

and also what is the max Id I can pass thro a mosfet??

The absolute maximum current rating depends on the MOSFET and can be found on the datasheet which can normally be found using Google.

 

[ericgibbs]

Great...... but hey I am goin to put this in switch boards and that includes rooms where there will be no air conditioning.. will the temp of IC reach 70C for the usage I just mentioned, especially when the summer heat touches 45C ?? r there any methods to reduce the temp??

and also what is the max Id I can pass thro a mosfet??

hi,
There is a vast range of currents available, this would suit your App.

How will the Gate be controlled.??

 

[shortbus=]

Great...... but hey I am goin to put this in switch boards and that includes rooms where there will be no air conditioning.. will the temp of IC reach 70C for the usage I just mentioned, especially when the summer heat touches 45C ?? r there any methods to reduce the temp??

and also what is the max Id I can pass thro a mosfet??

Here is a tutorial about choosing Mosfets and what the data sheet numbers mean; FET Current Ratings -- Chuck's Robotics Notebook

 

[prohan86]

hi,
There is a vast range of currents available, this would suit your App.

How will the Gate be controlled.??

Hi,

Thanks all for ur comments..

if I use the mosfet suggested by Mr Eric (Si4404DY).. can u pls suggest how much extra electricity will be consumed operating a Si4404DY which will be triggerd using a microcontroller compared to a manual switch ??

 

[ericgibbs]

Hi,

Thanks all for ur comments..

if I use the mosfet suggested by Mr Eric (Si4404DY).. can u pls suggest how much extra electricity will be consumed by Si4404DY which will be triggerd using a microcontroller compared to a manual switch ??

hi,
The FET is a voltage controlled device having a very input resistance and the ON resistance is approx 8 milliohms, so I would say the difference in consumption is zero.