Dear all,
I am working on a project where I have to actuate a solenoid actuator which can be operated in the range of 6V - 12V DC. I am now using a microcontroller to control this actuator. The logic supply out from the pins is only 5V, which is insufficient to actuate the solenoid actuator. So I would like to know what kind of transistor is suitable. The power supply used is a 6V battery pack which contains 4 AA batteries. what are the criteria in choosing a transistor? The resistance of the solenoid actuator is 8 Ohms. So can I say that the current needed to actuate this actuator is 6V / 8 Ohms = 0.75A?
Then I willl have to choose a transistor which is able to supply me 0.75A of minimum collector current. Am I right in this case?
One funny thing that I observed while sourcing for a solenoid actuator is a small actuator needs 12VDC to be operated, while the one I purchased which is bigger than the small one only need the range 6V - 12V. Is this got to do with the number of coils on the solenoid?
Kindly advise
Regards,
Vincent
I am working on a project where I have to actuate a solenoid actuator which can be operated in the range of 6V - 12V DC. I am now using a microcontroller to control this actuator. The logic supply out from the pins is only 5V, which is insufficient to actuate the solenoid actuator. So I would like to know what kind of transistor is suitable. The power supply used is a 6V battery pack which contains 4 AA batteries. what are the criteria in choosing a transistor? The resistance of the solenoid actuator is 8 Ohms. So can I say that the current needed to actuate this actuator is 6V / 8 Ohms = 0.75A?
Then I willl have to choose a transistor which is able to supply me 0.75A of minimum collector current. Am I right in this case?
One funny thing that I observed while sourcing for a solenoid actuator is a small actuator needs 12VDC to be operated, while the one I purchased which is bigger than the small one only need the range 6V - 12V. Is this got to do with the number of coils on the solenoid?
Kindly advise
Regards,
Vincent