I am trying to find relays for my application and I read a data sheet which looks fine but specifies
Minimum applicable load: 10mV 10µA
In my circuit, it is expected that the relay closes but no voltage and current is applied. You can think of it as 2 relays in series where one is open and one is closed, so there is no current. This sounds like something I'd do since I was at school.
Why would a relay require a minimum voltage and current on the load side? Is it allowed to operate that relay under my conditions or not? What could possibly break in a relay if I don't respect this requirement? What does "minimum applicable load" mean? When and how do I need to consider this value?
Best Answer
The primary reason that almost all relays have a minimum load requirement is that the mechanical action of closing coupled with an actual current flow are required to 'whet' the contact and break through a layer of oxidation that invariably builds up.
That is one reason that small signal relays generally use expensive contact alloys which resist oxidation, but as the phone company found out decades ago, even pure gold contacts can have issues in a high humidity environment. While oxidation doesn't affect the gold contacts, repeated cycles of moist/dry air would deposit an insulating layer.