Good point, but somehow I'm thinking/expecting a mosfet switching a =20
larger load such as a solenoid failing easier than one switching a =20
small relay.  Of course, the choice of mosfet in each situation would =20
make a big difference.

I need to switch 12V 10A.  The cost of any average MOSFETs that can =20
handle this, is similar to that of the relays.

Cheers,
-Neil.



Quoting Michael Watterson <mike@radioway.org>:

> On 06/05/2011 16:53, PICdude wrote:
>>    I'm considering on-board
>> relays vs. MOSFETs.
>
> But you need MOSFETS or BJTs anyway to drive the relays.
>
> If you choose suitable MOSFETS, snubber and/or diode etc driving the
> solenoids direct can be more reliable.
>
> But there is a big difference between say 12V 500mA solenoids and 110V
> 10A ones.
>
>
> You don't say what voltage/current of solenoid.
>
> You can also monitor the MOSFET output via resistor divider (even OR
> them all with diodes)  and have an alarm or something if a FET fails.
>
> 900V 10A MOSFETs are < $2
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