What is the effect on reliability by using relays in series to reduce high current arcs?
First of all, operate and release times of identical relays are not always the same therefore, the last relay to make and the first relay to break are the only contacts which would see the high current arc. Second, relays should never be used in series since the total reliability is reduced by the following relationship. Total Reliability = R x R, Where R is the reliability of each unit.
