OMRON G5LE Relay: Below Minimum Permissible Load Conditions

[daneloctober]

Ok, so it says in the Datasheet that an Omron G5LE Relay has a minimum permissible load of 100mA at 5V. Soooo...what if I use 5V, but a current draw of less than 10mA for example (like a 5V/2.5mA buzzer load or something)? What happens then?

Please don't ask why. I just want to know what happens. Thanks!

 

[pplus]

will work
Minimum Permissible Load (See note) 100 mA at 5 VDC
Note: Reference value - P level: λ60 = 0.1 x 10–6 operations
Given to evaluate failure rate (reference value)

 

[emontllo]

It will work, however, long term reliability is not ensured.

If the contact is operated with very low current, the contacts tend to accumulate excessive resistance due to the corrosion. A minimum switching voltage and current is sometimes needed to "clean" the corrosion and allow reliable operation.

 

[FvM]

It will work, however, long term reliability is not ensured.

Actually just a guess. There's no minimum load current specification in the most recent datasheet. The 100 mA/5V specification isn't related to minimum load, as said.

My guess is, that a buzzer is a sufficient load for reliable long term operation. This might not be the case for really low voltages. Using a 10A relays to switch a buzzer is less than optimal, though.

 

[pplus]

It will work, however, long term reliability is not ensured.

A minimum switching voltage and current is sometimes needed to "clean" the corrosion and allow reliable operation.

Corrosion is removed by mechanical friction contacts, too. )

 

[daneloctober]

Actually just a guess. There's no minimum load current specification in the most recent datasheet. The 100 mA/5V specification isn't related to minimum load, as said.

Hmm.. can you give a link to that datasheet? Thanks!

 

[FvM]

It's on the Omron website, also linked by Google with the relays name.

It should be mentioned, that many other relays manufactures, e.g. Finder are specifying minimal loads for power relays. 500 mW is something like a default value in this regard. In so far the comment by emontllo is substantiated.