Contents
At what amp draw Do I need a relay?
Most automotive relays are at least 30A (check the specs to make sure). This means they can transmit 30A without issue. The fuse holder you are looking at, however, cannot handle that much amperage. According to this wire chart 16AWG wire is only good to 18Amps @ 194°F (90°C).
Does a 20 inch light bar need a relay?
A relay is an electrical switch that lets a low current circuit control a high current circuit such as a large LED light bar. If you are using a light pod that does not have a very large amp draw, you may not need a relay switch, but if you are using a larger LED light bar, they are a must have.
How do you determine the watts of a relay?
An easy way to determine the limit of a relay is to multiply the rated Volts times the rated Amps. This will give you the total watts a relay can switch. Every relay will have two ratings: AC and DC. You should determine the AC watts and the DC watts, and never exceed these ratings.
What do you need to know about a relay?
So here is an overview of what a relay is, why you likely need it, and how to wire it up. What is a Relay? A relay is an electrical switch. It allows a low current “switch” circuit to control the electricity flow of a high-current circuit load, like your LED Light bar for example.
How to determine the limit of a relay?
Volts x Amps = Watts – Never Exceed Watts! An easy way to determine the limit of a relay is to multiply the rated Volts times the rated Amps. Every relay will have two ratings: AC and DC. You should determine the AC watts and the DC watts, and never exceed these ratings.
How many amps can a 5 AMP relay switch?
This does not necessarily tell you what the limits of the relay are. For instance, a 5 Amp relay rated at 125VAC can also switch 2.5 Amps at 250VAC. Similarly, a 5 Amp relay rated at 24VDC can switch 2.5 Amps at 48VDC, or even 10 Amps at 12VDC.