5VDC 10A Relay – 5 Pin SPDT

A 5VDC relay is something that can come in very handy. These are compact and can control quite a bit of current. In fact, they can handle up to 10A on the load side. This is the size that you want to actually switch to power your load, lights, motors, etc... When we say it is a 5V DC relay, this is referring to the input signal that will actually make the relay switch. For example, if you wanted extra lights to come on when you brake in your vehicle then you could use the 5v signal wire for brakes in your car and hook this up to the signal or control voltage size of your relay and then when you brake it will cause the relay to switch. When it switches then current or continuity is able to pass through the relay load pins. The load pins can handle a large range of voltages.

There are 5 pins on the relays. Two are for the ground and positive of your signal wire or control voltage. One is for a common load wire (can be positive or ground) and the last two pins are what will have continuity with the common load pin whether the relay is energize or not. You can choose how you'd like to use it in this manner to control more than one item. You can think of it as similar to a SPDT switch (Single Pole Double Throw).

If you're still thinking why you would want to use a 5vDC relay then think about using a small amount of current to control a large amount of current. In this instance we can use about 5mA at 5vDC to control up to 10A.