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Unread 15-03-2008, 22:36
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Re: Can Relay Outputs Directly Drive LEDS ? (for testing)

Quote:
Originally Posted by de_ View Post
Anyone one know for certain this is doable or more importantly if its a bad idea ? I would hate to blow our test RC.
It's perfectly doable. On a testbed system, it might even be a good idea. The Spike input is opto-isolated, meaning it is essentially an LED. The specification calls for a 4mA control signal at at least 3V, so if you can manage to get enough light out of that, your test will be perfect.

I once put a three-terminal red/green LED on the relay output, with a resistor chosen to limit the current to about 10mA. It worked fine, and the LED matched exactly what one would see on the built-in LED of a Spike.