Socket for miniature relay? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: sci4me
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 06:09:55 pm
content: Hi all,I am working on a hobby project that will likely require a fair bit of design iteration and I expect to go through multiple PCBs. The project will use a large number of these miniature relays:https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/KEMET/EC2-5NU?qs=%2Fha2pyFadui7iAXuRBfsQKNArEPdCtRyZ8IX%2FsZ6fDI%3DI am trying to find some solution for reusing the relays other than de-soldering them, since they aren't cheap compared to other components. I don't believe there exists any sockets for this specific relay. I think there probably are single-pin sockets I could use for this purpose, but they'd have to be the right size such that the pins will fit snugly and the relays won't constantly be falling out or even getting accidentally knocked out. I don't expect perfection to be possible here, but, if anyone has any suggestions for potential solutions I'd greatly appreciate it! Specifically, digikey or mouser parts would be ideal.Thanks!

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 06:37:52 pm
content: If it does not have to look good, then you can use short wires (8mm or so) to solder the relays to the PCB. This way you remove the wires one by one to remove the relay's.Pinout of such relays are usually at the same distances as DIP IC's and matrix board. You may get lucky and your relay may fit directly in the higher quality DIP sockets (with some pins removed).There are also adapter socket that fit in (good quality) DIP sockets, and you can solder those to your relay's. There are also single row pin headers with thin round pins you can use for this.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 02, 2021, 06:47:56 pm
content: I believe you can fit those relays in IC socket with spring contacts. At least there are relays that can, since I did that once.Used this relay:AZ832

author: gcewing
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 10:53:18 am
content: Are you making a DSKY?From the datasheet, the pin rows are 0.2" apart, so an IC socket would be too wide. But you might find another relay with standard DIP spacing. Or you could use SIL socket strips, e.g.https://nz.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Harwin/D01-9972042?qs=ecHgFjcWJS%2Fr1Or1Oih27w%3D%3D

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 03, 2021, 12:25:29 pm
content: If you really want to stick with these relays, then your best bet would be make some sort of module just relays and use screw terminals for connecting what ever else needs connect to relay. Chinese sell tons of this sort of relay modules...There is no really good socket for pcb mounted relays. Of course if your lucky you could put some sort of header pin sockets on pcb instead of relay and see if you can reliably plug one in those. But this is not practical if your dealing high voltage/high currents.

author: radiolistener
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2021, 03:24:25 pm
content: Quote from: sci4me on September 02, 2021, 06:09:55 pmYou can buy Chinese relay, they cost about 3 USD for 10 pieces and works good enough.Regarding the socket, I would recommend to avoid it. Because socket add some resistance and leads to unreliable contacts.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2021, 03:55:38 pm
content: Quote from: sci4me on September 02, 2021, 06:09:55 pmCollet socket pins are available. I have used them for relays.

author: Cerebus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2021, 11:09:32 pm
content: I have some of the surface mount versions of this series of relays (EC2 is the through hole, EE2 the surface mount).If I'm reading the data sheet right, and I think I am, then the through hole version of these does not have a round pin, but has the same flat strips that are bent over on the surface mounting versions to make rectangular cross section leads like you'd find on a QFP package. In the case of the through hole version it seems this lead is just left straight. As such, these would probably be problematic for some of the suggested socket types. They'd certainly fowl in 'collet' or similar sockets. Only the type of pin sockets that have two flat opposing pins would cleanly accept (and more importantly release) these.Fiddling with the surface mount ones (by straightening out a few pins) they will fit into some 0.1" turned pin sockets that I have that have flat opposing springs. I can't say that they feel particularly good - either in terms of "having made a reliable connection" or of "feels like it'll stay put". I think you might be better off following the daughter baord type of route as suggested above.

author: wizard69
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 04, 2021, 11:35:46 pm
content: If you have a project that is going to use lots of parts that you will be buying you need to take a different approach. What I mean here is that you should specify a relay that is already socket compatible, be it a DIP socket or something a little more custom. If the manufacture doesn't supply a socket or use an industry standard socket, then the relay you are looking at is the wrong relay.Now that being said, many relays of this size are socket compatible with DIP sockets. A quick review of the data sheet should help there. Some manufactures will offer sockets and these can sometimes be advantageous to use as they may support guiding the relay into the socket. The big problem with plugging in relays of this type is that it i easy to roll over one of the pins, so easy insertion can be worthwhile. Here is an Omron datasheet:https://omronfs.omron.com/en_US/ecb/products/pdf/en-g6c.pdf;for a series of relays and the sockets for them, along with hold down clips and so forth.What you might want to consider, if it is even possible with your project, is a universal relay board that you can solder relays to and not have to worry about reuse. Sockets have their uses but I really like the reliability of soldered in components.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2021, 12:03:03 am
content: You have 3.2mm of pin to work with. Depending on your PCB thickness, you might be better off making small (1.0mm?) spacers to go between the relay and the PCB and then getting good desoldering equipment and becoming proficient with it. If the number of these is truly huge, you can get a chunk of copper and make a custom desoldering tool that hits all the pins at once as you pull with an IC puller--they'll pop right out over and over.I prefer soldering prototypes wherever possible because it sucks to spend hours debugging what you think is a design error that turns out to be a bad connection. I'm pretty sure I could install and remove those at least a dozen times without damaging them. If spacers are too difficult to make or obtain, get some very small teflon tube and find a way to reliably cut it to even lengths of 1.0mm or whatever works, then slide them onto the pins to form a standoff before soldering in the relay.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2021, 01:13:13 am
content: Quote from: David Hess on September 04, 2021, 03:55:38 pmI had that thought too, but they're somewhat expensive as I recall, a full set of pins might cost almost as much as the relay that plugs into them.I think I'd be tempted to just solder the relays in. If they need to be salvaged from a PCB that is being discarded, a heat gun on the back side of the PCB can make quick work of it.

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2021, 08:07:07 am
content: Quote from: Cerebus on September 04, 2021, 11:09:32 pmThisis the very similar relay I used.QuoteThe flat pins of the relays worked fine in the collet socket pins that I used.Quote from: james_s on September 05, 2021, 01:13:13 amI buy the collet socket pins as part of long strips and then cut them out.

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2021, 06:28:33 pm
content: You can get single pin sockets eg Harwin D01-9820805, TE AMP 5645946-2 or Mill-Max 0548 series. I've used Samtec shocking solutions SL series in the past becasue they are very ecconomical and have a low profile,https://www.samtec.com/products/sl. Just cook out the pins you dont want with an iron or change the PCB drill pattern. I'm sure a load of off-brand sockets are available too. Check that the socket accepts yout relay pin diameter.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2021, 09:46:15 pm
content: I use the V23105, AXICOM series relays. They fit in a regular DIP socket.They come in various coil voltages and power ratings.Datasheet:https://www.te.com/commerce/DocumentDelivery/DDEController?Action=srchrtrv&DocNm=108-98007&DocType=SS&DocLang=ENExample:https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/te-connectivity-potter-brumfield-relays/V23105A5001A201/291019