So long as the smaller relay can handle the full load current and the larger relay can handle the start and stop surges, you should have NO problems. Watch out for contact arcing on the larger relay, though. We used to build controls for variable pitch fan blades used on large earth-moving equipment using almost exactly that technique. While it worked fine, we wound up going to a somewhat more complex arrangement with 2 relays switching the +28V supply and 2 sense FETs switching the ground side in order to handle specific customer requirements. But as far as I know, there are still a bunch of the relay only versions still out there working - we occasionally get units in for repair (mechanic: "I tried to clean all the gunk off the box with the steam cleaner and I guess it got wet inside. Dunno how that happened.") dwayne At 03:20 PM 10/30/02 +1300, Jinx wrote: > > >(2A) relay is closed before the power (8A) relay, then the power > > >relay will take the brunt of the start-up surge ?? > > > > Yes. > > > > dwayne > >Cheers. Wating for the "but......." &or other shoe to drop.......... ;-) > >-- >http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: >[PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads -- Dwayne Reid Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd Edmonton, AB, CANADA (780) 489-3199 voice (780) 487-6397 fax Celebrating 18 years of Engineering Innovation (1984 - 2002) .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .-. .- `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' `-' Do NOT send unsolicited commercial email to this email address. This message neither grants consent to receive unsolicited commercial email nor is intended to solicit commercial email. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic: [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads