Increase dc voltage

[Electric-T]

I need to increase the voltage in the motion alarm circuit im working on. Im puting roughly 12vdc into the PIR sensor, but it only puts out 3.3vdc. The problem is that the voltage leaving the sensor is going to a 12v coil relay....ive explored the idea of a transistor or MOSFET. Are there any other ways that im not thinking of to increase DC voltage ?

 

[kellys_eye]

Use the low voltage to drive a switch that controls a higher voltage.

 

[Electric-T]

Use the low voltage to drive a switch that controls a higher voltage.

The switch being a transistor right? Does NPN or PNP work better for this application?

 

[kellys_eye]

Depends on what you want to do with it.....

 

[BobK]

Use an NPN or N-channel MOSFET. Look in the resource section of this forum for info on using a transistor as a switch.

Bob

 

[Electric-T]

Use an NPN or N-channel MOSFET. Look in the resource section of this forum for info on using a transistor as a switch.

Bob

Thanks