Do I need a relay?
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Do I need a relay?
I am running a few things to a switch panel that is below the radio in my civic. I will have a switch for all these: ignition, starter(momentary), fog lights, and led lights in the car, all on the switch. Will I need relays for any of these? What are relays for? I heard that the switches can get hot and catch fire?
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Re: Do I need a relay?
The electrical system of your car runs on 12 volts however individual systems work at different amperages. So if your switch is rated for the amperage then you don't need a relay. If you want to run a switch that is not rated for the amperage load then you have to put a relay in between the switch and the load circuit. The relay handles the amperage and the switch triggers the relay.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2012
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The electrical system of your car runs on 12 volts however individual systems work at different amperages. So if your switch is rated for the amperage then you don't need a relay. If you want to run a switch that is not rated for the amperage load then you have to put a relay in between the switch and the load circuit. The relay handles the amperage and the switch triggers the relay.
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