Many integrated circuits have undocumented features or abilities. This is one of them. The TLC555 output (pin 3) can sink a 100mA load to 1.28V. The open drain transistor reset (pin 7) can sink 100mA ...

What is an automotive relay? In simple terms, an automotive relay is a small cube shaped electronically operated electromechanical switch. It uses an electromagnetic device to mechanically maneuver a ...

Relays usually are driven using optocouplers, which offer isolation between analog and digital grounds to ensure that switching currents in the relay coils do not affect the noise margin of the ...

Not long after I began contributing to Hagerty eight years ago, I wrote a detailed four-part piece on electrical relays and how they work in cars. You can still find the articles here (Part I: Why We ...