NI6009 with Relays

[mtcellar65]

Hello,

I am looking for relays to power a project of mine. I currently have a LabView NI6009 DAQ system. I would like to put relays in for two circuits- one is 120 VAC less than 1 amp, and the other is 12 VDC at 4 amps. Can you suggest where I can get two relays that can be switched on and off using my DAQ system?  I found these slim spade terminal ones: http://www.mcmaster.com/#general-purpose-relays/=g​4qxj2.  Would these work if I connected them to my DAQ?

Thanks,

mtcellar65

[mtcellar65]

Hello,

I am looking for relays to power a project of mine. I currently have a LabView NI6009 DAQ system. I would like to put relays in for two circuits- one is 120 VAC less than 1 amp, and the other is 12 VDC at 4 amps. Can you suggest where I can get two relays that can be switched on and off using my DAQ system?  I found these slim spade terminal ones: http://www.mcmaster.com/#general-purpose-relays/=g​4qxj2.  Would these work if I connected them to my DAQ?

Thanks,

mtcellar65

[Buechsenschuetz]

I did not read the relay specs in detail, but it seems that the digital outputs of the NI6009 (I am not familiar with this, either) can sink or source around 8.5mA of current, and this seems not sufficient to drive a power relay. 

For switching 120VAC I would recommend a semiconductor relay. Use a "zero crossing switching" relay if possible, and check for the input specs.

Semiconductor relays are also available for switching DC with several amps, but these units are not cheap and are very sensitive to short circuits.

However, to increase the output current of the digital outputs (which may be necessary even when using semiconductor relays) you should use a driver circuit, such as the ULN2803, or a power driver module, since the digital outputs of the NI6009 obviously are not designed to drive significant loads such as relays etc.  

[SnowMule]

Duplicate of http://forums.ni.com/t5/Multifunction-DAQ/How-do-I-integrate-relays-with-a-NI6009/m-p/1865745#M69060