As is know to all, if connect a LED to the
digital output of Arduino, and make this pin output High or Low, the LED would
be on/off. This is the first step to learn Arduino. But sometimes, we want to
control some modules that works in high voltage/large current, for example, I
want to control my lamp (works in voltage>100V) with the Arduino, it is not
a good idea to connect the lamp to the Arduino digital output pin now.
Yes, the Arduino can only output voltage 5V
max, and current 20mA max. It is much lower that the voltage that the lamp
works with. We need a module to make it possible to control the high
voltage/large current with Arduino. That is what a relay shield can do. The relay is an electrically operated switch, it acts
like a soldier, accept low voltage signal commands for Arduino, and then
control the high voltage gun on/off.
But it is theoretical, we need to notice
something in actual usage. The Elecrow Relay Shield has the following points to
ensure its usage. A reliable relays is the most important, and as the copper
width and weight will Impacts the max current that can be flowed in the
circuit, the width of the layout should meet the current requirements.
Isolation within HIHG voltage and Low voltage circuit.
When the onboard 4 relays are all active,
they need a max current of about 300mA, that is a large load for Arduino power
circuit, especially when powered by USB. So, an extra power circuit is added in
the elecrow relay shield, with a diode (D6) to protect the board when power
reversed connected.
How to use a relay shield correctly? Cut
off the power wire of your lamp; Connect on end to the COM1, and the other end
to NO1; Ensure the manual control switch on the off side; Insert the relay
shield on Arduino and power up. Now, you can control the lamp on/off by
Arduino, digital out HIHG on D5 would makes the COM port connected with the
NO1, that is , the lamp will be on; while output a logical LOW while makes the
lamp off.
Beside a relay shield, there are also some
other modules have many functions to make some project to better serve our
life. For example, you can use a pressure sensor
to make a system to test the air pressure or other pressure in your house. In a
word, make full of some electronic modules to create some project to make your
life more intelligent.