python and relay module

[komarek]

hello i have a simple and inexpensive relay module connected to my raspberry pi zero w
the module has 3 pin and i connect them like this:
GND -> raspi gnd
VCC -> raspi 5v
IN -> raspi gpio 15
i am running a simple python code like this:

Code: Select all

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
import time

GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
GPIO.setup(15, GPIO.OUT)

GPIO.output(15, 0)
time.sleep(2)
GPIO.output(15, 1)
time.sleep(2)
GPIO.output(15, 0)

GPIO.cleanup()

unfortunately the relay doesnt close the contact (except on the SETUP statement and CLEANUP at the end)
but if i try to connect directly the "IN" pin of the relay module to the raspi GND the realy works actually.

what's the problem?
why the relay doesnt work when i set the gpio 15 to LOW?

thanks

[pcmanbob]

First thing to do is post a link to the board you have .

second what happens is you disconnect the wire from gpio 15 but leaving it connected to relay IN

then connect it to 5v pin on pi result = ?

then connect it to Gnd pin on pi result = ?

[Paul Hutch]

Since you're using BCM mode make sure you are connecting to the correct physical pin, GPIO 15 is on pin #10 (pin #15 is GPIO 22)

[komarek]

First thing to do is post a link to the board you have .

second what happens is you disconnect the wire from gpio 15 but leaving it connected to relay IN

then connect it to 5v pin on pi result = ?

then connect it to Gnd pin on pi result = ?

if i disconnect the wire from gpio15 the relay turn off... if i connect it to GND the relay turn ON
when conected to gpio15 the realy always stay ON (despite the state of the gpio 15 LOW or HIGH)

[komarek]

Since you're using BCM mode make sure you are connecting to the correct physical pin, GPIO 15 is on pin #10 (pin #15 is GPIO 22)

yes i m sure

[komarek]

you know what....
i connected the gpio15 at the Gate of a IRFZ44N
then the Source of the IRFZ44N at GNF of raspi... and Drain of IRFZ44N at the "IN" of the relay module
and now it's working perfectly
can you please explain me why i have to use a mosfet to make it work... and it's not working directly with the gpio?
thanks

[pcmanbob]

if i disconnect the wire from gpio15 the relay turn off... if i connect it to GND the relay turn ON
when conected to gpio15 the realy always stay ON (despite the state of the gpio 15 LOW or HIGH)

No quite the tests I asked for, I wanted to prove 5v turned it off, also asked for link to board you have.

Anyway your relay needs 5v to switch it off and ground to switch it on, but the 3.3v gpio is not capable of switching your relay off
but as you have discovered if your remove the wire from gpio/IN then the relay will switch off.

So you need to use a transistor/resistor interface between your relay board and the pi gpio.



this will also make your relay board active high so setting gpio 15 high will turn on your relay.

[komarek]

if i disconnect the wire from gpio15 the relay turn off... if i connect it to GND the relay turn ON
when conected to gpio15 the realy always stay ON (despite the state of the gpio 15 LOW or HIGH)

No quite the tests I asked for, I wanted to prove 5v turned it off, also asked for link to board you have.

Anyway your relay needs 5v to switch it off and ground to switch it on, but the 3.3v gpio is not capable of switching your relay off
but as you have discovered if your remove the wire from gpio/IN then the relay will switch off.

So you need to use a transistor/resistor interface between your relay board and the pi gpio.



this will also make your relay board active high so setting gpio 15 high will turn on your relay.

yes exactly
i found it working with a IRFZ44N mosfet
sorry i didnt post the board but i didnt know what you meant... anyway it was a cheap relay module bought on aliexpress


thank you again

[pcmanbob]

you know what....
i connected the gpio15 at the Gate of a IRFZ44N
then the Source of the IRFZ44N at GNF of raspi... and Drain of IRFZ44N at the "IN" of the relay module
and now it's working perfectly
can you please explain me why i have to use a mosfet to make it work... and it's not working directly with the gpio?
thanks

Because the relay board needs 5v to turn it off, the 3.3v of the pi gpio is not high enough to do it.
But by disconnecting the IN from the ground using the IRFZ44N the relay will turn off because it no-longer has a ground connection on the IN pin.

you also need a current limiting resistor between the gpio and the gate on the IRFZ44N or you risk damaging your pi.

try 1K if it does not work try 470 ohms

[pascale]

Hi
I had the same problem, So I changed my python code from

Code: Select all

if read_sensor(sID1) + x > read_sensor(sID2):
            GPIO.output(25,GPIO.HIGH)
          # print("it's Hot!")

To

Code: Select all

if read_sensor(sID1) + x > read_sensor(sID2):
            GPIO.output(25,GPIO.LOW)
          # print("it's Hot!")

And now the relay woks