Source not enough to drive a relay?

[keraynopoylos]

Hi all,

I want to use a relay in order to use the electric signal from one of the output pins of the parallel port of the PC for opening and closing the AC supply of a router(drilling router, not internet router).

I have found this one(G8P-1A2T-F), AC specs good and I know that the "high" state of the parallel port pins is 5V, as opposed to ground for the "low" and the coil rated voltage is 5V, so all good. The relay though has rated current of 185mA. I have found from sources on the internet that the parallel port can supply up to around 20mA.

That will probably be an issue right?

Any solutions come to mind..?

 

[CocaCola]

Use a transistor on the parallel port line to drive the relay using an external 5V source... Or use a solid state relay that can be driven with less current...