Author Topic: Mini-breadboard fails as relay socket  (Read 610 times)

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Offline calzapTopic starter

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Mini-breadboard fails as relay socket
« on: January 09, 2021, 09:04:51 pm »
Was building a relay-based current step-up module for a float switch that is part of a pump controller.  The float switch is a Cynergy3 RSF124, which is a miniature float switch.  It’s installed in a sidearm of the horizontal section of the pump intake pipe.  Its purpose is to prevent the pump from operating unless there is water in the intake pipe.  However, its current rating is less than that of the pump contactor coil, so a current step-up relay is needed.

The relay is an Omron G2R-2 DPDT with a 9 VDC coil.   There is plenty of 9 VDC available because it’s in use for indicator lamps, buzzers, timers, and other uses in the pump house.  The relay is designed for through-hole installation on PCBs or perf-boards.  Its pins are blade-like with sharp points.  They looked small enough to fit in breadboard holes; so, I thought I would use a mini-breadboard as a permanent socket.  This would be quicker than soldering and would allow easy replacement if necessary.  The pins did slide easily into the holes.  The module was assembled, and it didn’t work properly.  If I wiggled the relay and held it at a specific angle, then it worked … sometimes.

Apparently, the little dagger pins trashed some of the contacts in the breadboard holes.  Or the pins shaved some bits of plastic from the walls of the holes, and the bits acted as insulators.  The relay was then mounted on perf-board, and the leads soldered to the pins.  Works perfectly … lesson learned.

Mike in California
 


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