Apparatus and method for monitoring status of relay circuit

An apparatus for monitoring a status of a relay circuit, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of relay circuits configured to apply driving power to a plurality of battery management devices;
• a microcomputer configured to output relay control signals for turning on/off the plurality of relay circuits;
• and
• a current application/detection circuit configured to apply a current to each of the plurality of relay circuits that are turned on by the output relay control signals from the microcomputer, and to detect and convert a total current applied to the plurality of relay circuits turned on, to a voltage level,
• wherein the microcomputer makes a comparison between a current detected through the current application/detection circuit while selectively turning on/off the plurality of relay circuits and a current calculated corresponding to a number of relay circuits of the plurality of relay circuits to which relay-on signals have been output up to a current point, and determines an operation status of the plurality of relay circuits according to whether the current detected and the current calculated are equal to each other within a specified error range.