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Minimum switching current for Mechanical switch

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DIAGO1000

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I have a switch which specifes the minimum switching current is 10mA at 12VDC. Now my circuit switches 11mA at 5V.
Does the power need to match ie IxV 0.01 x 12 = 120mW or would the 11mA at 5v BE SUFFICIENT???
 

Your switch rated for 12VDC at 10mA but your circuit switching at 5V it does not match
 

Hi,

You say it is 10mA "minimum" switching current. But you treat it as "maximum".
I doubt that 10mA is the "maximum allowed" switching current - but it may be possible.

Best if you post a link to the datasheet.

Klaus

Added:
I assume the 10mA is the minimum current you should run through the contacts.
So 11mA is within specification.
This "minimum current" is also known as "wetting current".
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wetting_current.

Klaus
 

Hi Klaus,
I can get my current up to 15mA if required but It's the 12VDC that is worrying me.
 

Hi,

Where is the datasheet?

Klaus
 

This may be about contact cleanliness / aging, and a
non-ohmic low current I-V curve (many metal oxides
are funky semiconductors and of low quality when
grown in random nasty conditions).

Doesn't mean the switch won't work, now; maybe means
it will get noisy / crusty / resistive as it ages.

Unless by "switch" you really meant "relay"....
 

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