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I want to replace a physical N.O. switch with a microcontroller controlled transistor. The MCU is a ~3.3v MSP430. Since this is high side, I know I need a PNP transistor, and since the voltages are different, I need a way to connect the two.

schematic

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab

I thought of using either a Sziklai Pair or a modified inverting npn/pnp pair.

schematic

simulate this circuit

Is there a practical difference between the two? And is there any significant (Greater than 1mA) current draw?

As a note, if it is important, the point marked "?" at the PNP's collector, can be tied to the 12v source. Would this be an issue? And I will only need to enable the pair for under 0.5 Seconds, long enough to turn the relay on (typically 10mS??).

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Have a look at this thread. It also deals with high side switch controlled by a μC. That question revolves around switching a voltage divider on and off. (Related but not a duplicate.) \$\endgroup\$
    – Nick Alexeev
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 23:09
  • \$\begingroup\$ Are you saying that the relay in your top circuit is undesirable and that you wish to replace it with an electronic device that shorts SW1 out? For your other two circuits what is the relay shown and what does it do? \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 8:35
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Andyaka I simply want to replace SW1. The relay in both circuits are the same. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 8:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ The relay contact is in parallel with the switch and that is what confuses me because it appears to do the job of what you want already hence my question. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 9:10
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Andyaka oh, its a way of making the relay latching. The switch provides a path to enable the relay, at which point, it stays on until power is cut. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 9:16

2 Answers 2

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The left circuit you show will not work, because the emitter of Q1 will not rise above its base.

The right circuit is a disaster, because when Q2 conducts there is nothing in its path (via the BE of Q4) to limit the current.

A good circuit could be either

  • the right circuit, but replace Q4 with an NPN type (but now the circuit inverts)
  • the right circuit, but add a 1k resistor in series with the collector of Q2
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  • \$\begingroup\$ So for the left, the Q1/NPN emitter, before the circuit is engaged, will be tied to ground through the relay's coil (~50 Ohm). So the 3.3v base signal wouldn't be enough? After the pair engages, which enables the relay and brings the emitter to 12v, the pair no longer need to be used. Looking at relay sheets, I only really need at most 10 milliseconds. So would it still not work? \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 22:52
  • \$\begingroup\$ And if I change the right to a npn, Would it be enough for a 50 to 100 ohm relay, even though it is high side switching? In that case, couldn't I simply remove q4 entirely, and put Q2 directly on the high side of the relay coil? \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Nov 20, 2013 at 22:53
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    \$\begingroup\$ From your comments (answer is NO to both) I think that you don't understand the working of an emitter follower. In such a circuit (the left circuit is a modified E.F., your proposal would make the right circuit one as well) the emitter trails the base voltage (minus ~ 0.6V). Hence the relais never gets the full 12V. \$\endgroup\$
    – Wouter van Ooijen
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 6:32
  • \$\begingroup\$ Of course I don't, hence why I'm asking :P And the left is this en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sziklai_pair a Sziklai Pair, or Compound transistor pair. I am trying to understand what you are saying, but I can't make much heads or tails out of it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 7:04
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    \$\begingroup\$ @Passerby: I'm guessing you've figured this out by now, but for appropriate schematic [2nd solution of Wouter] look at fig 3-30 in books.google.com/books?id=G5jGKbsCNYcC&pg=PA42 for instance. You need a resistor to limit the current through the transistors when the switch is on. \$\endgroup\$
    – got trolled too much this week
    Commented Nov 28, 2015 at 7:24
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I'd use a P channel MOSFET and a low side BJT like this: -

enter image description here

The 12V in my diagram connects to the node with the fuse in your diagram and where I have shown load, this is outlet 12V+ and gnd on your diagram. Hope this makes sense.

The MCU will turn on the BJT which conducts enough current to pull the FET's gate down to near ground. This turns the FET on.

If there are any worries about protecting the FET's gate (due to it being an automotive application), insert 1k ohm directly in series with the BJT's collector and put a 15V zener diode across the gate's 10k ohm.

Choosing the right P channel FET is all about rating it for the desired load on the outlet. Let me know what sort of load it is, if you want.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ The load is only the relay coil < 100 mA for a half second until it closes the contact side. \$\endgroup\$
    – Passerby
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 10:47
  • \$\begingroup\$ Barely anything at all then \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Nov 21, 2013 at 10:49

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