To provide a relay control method and a relay controller for inrush current-limiting circuit that reduces the inrush current flowing via an electrical path between a power switch for an inputting or cutting off of alternating current and a power rectifying device when the power switch is closed, by connecting a current-limiting device in series and shorting the current-limiting device by a relay contact, after the passage of the inrush current.

This relay control method allows a relay lifetime duration to be extended, as well as, power supply circuit reliability to be improved, by flowing the current into the current-limiting device so that the current is not made to flow into the relay, when a load current in an electric instrument is low, such as in waiting state. This relay control method also allows the relay contact for shorting the current-limiting device to be opened and the current to be controlled so as to be supplied to the load through the current-limiting device.