Of course, you can you relays. It is common.

However, the electronic switches are more reliable for a long term operation.

YES;

yes; no.

Of course, you can you relays. It is common.

However, the electronic switches are more reliable for a long term operation.

The reliability of a relay has to be assessed from two points of view:

(1) Mechanical system has to withstand the repeated movement without fatigue of the spring that pulls the arm. Several times, the mechanical system wears out and prevents proper making of the electrical contact.

(2) Electrical system should not fail, including the coil and the electrical contacts. Often, the electrical contact get pitted due to repeated arcing, either making a set of contacts stick together or not permitting electrical contact even though everything else if working fine. Coil failure can happen due sustained higher voltages across it.

Considering everything, I can say that relays are reliable enough, provided it is from a reputed company that ensures its reliability through its design and the user ensures its reliability by electrically not overloading the contacts beyond the manufacturers rated current at the specified voltage level and the coil voltage is kept within limits.

Ya (yes)...  Relays are reliable for long time use....

Electronic switches are more sensitive to surges.

I think no,in long term use the ralay plates may proke because of spikes

Hi,

don't forget: the relay has a reduced parameters when it switches inductive load. For example: a relay that can switch 6A AT 230 V resistive load, can switch just 0,2 A AT 230V inductive load. The energy stored in the inductive load causes high energy sparking while switching off and thus the contacts get destroyed.

yes, relays are reliable for electronic projects, but on other hand u can use solid state relays or TRIACs to control AC appliances