When you mention 8 relays is that a reference to how many individual devices that your project can control?

Or is it that you control a single device and have 8 relays in parallel to switch that device?


In order to evaluate what and if the 400mA you measured is too high we need to have you tell us just what you are measuring. Is the 400mA the current on the DC voltage rail that supplies the board? And if so please do tell why this is too high. Is it a case the power supply starts to overheat or cannot efficiently supply this much current?

From a safety perspective the relay offers a great ability to isolate your MCU circuit from the AC line. A triac will not offer this unless your circuit gets more involved and uses opto couplers between the MCU board and the triac control circuits.

Michael Karas