Relay

Definition Of Relay
Relay is
an electrically operated switch.
Many
relays
use
an electromagnet to mechanically operate a switch, but other operating principles are
also used, such as solid-state relays. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a
circuit by a separate low-power signal, or where several circuits must be controlled by one
signal. The first relays were used in long distance telegraph circuits as amplifiers: they
repeated the signal coming in from one circuit and re-transmitted it on another circuit. Relays
were used extensively in telephone exchanges and early computers to perform logical
operations.

Material Of Relay
About material of relay, it consists of two separate and completely
independent circuits. The first is at the bottom and drives the electromagnet. In this
circuit, a switch is controlling power to the electromagnet. When the switch is on, the
electromagnet is on, and it attracts the armature (blue). The armature is acting as a switch in
the second circuit. When the electromagnet is energized, the armature completes the second
circuit and the light is on. When the electromagnet is not energized, the spring pulls the
armature away and the circuit is not complete. In that case, the light is dark.
Types Of Relay
1. Latching Relay
Latching relays are also called impulse relays. They work in the bistable mode, and
thus have two relaxing states. They are also called keep relays or stay relays because as
soon as the current towards this relay is switched off, the relay continues the process that it
was doing in the last state. This can be achieved only with a solenoid which is operating in
a ratchet and cam mechanism.
2. Thermal Relay
These relays are based on the effects of heat, which means the rise in the ambient
temperature from the limit, directs the contacts to switch from one position to other. These
are mainly used in motor protection and consist of bimetallic elements like temperature
sensors as well as control elements. Thermal overload relays are the best examples of
these relays.
3. Overload protection Relay

As the name implies, these relays are used to prevent the electric motors from damage
by over current and short circuits. For this the heating element is kept in series with the
motor. Thus when over heat occurs the bi-metallic strip connected to the motor heats up
and in turn releases a spring to operate the contacts of the relay.
4. Contactor Relay
This is one of the most heavy load relay ever used. They are mainly used in switching
electric motors. They have a wide range of current ratings from a few amps to hundreds.
The contacts of these relays are usually made with alloys containing a small percentage of
silver. This is done so as to avoid the hazardous effects of arcing.
5. Time delay relay
Timing relays are arranged for an intentional delay in operating their contacts. A very
short (a fraction of a second) delay would use a copper disk between the armature and
moving blade assembly. Current flowing in the disk maintains magnetic field for a short
time, lengthening release time.

Funtion Of Relay
The function of relay is to control one electrical circuit or output device by opening
and closing the contacts on another circuit. There are a few functions. Yes one of them is to
switch a higher voltage. Computer control systems often operate at 24v dc so a relay is used
to switch the higher voltage and/or current of the power side.

Characteristic of relay
1

Rated Coil Voltage

The voltage that the relay is supposed to receive when you energize it.

Set (Operate) voltage

The minimum voltage that the relay needs to close its switch. This will be a
little less than the ideal coil voltage.

Rated Power (sometimes called Operating Current)

This is the power that a relay is specifically meant to handle. For example, if a
relay is rated at 60W, no more than 60W should be used with the relay. The power rating
is the power consumption of the coil, usually expressed in milliwatts, when the relay is

energized. Power should not be used for a relay above its power rating. Sometimes the
power is expressed in ampere ratings, milliamperes.
4

Switching Capacity
The maximum amount of current that you can switch with contacts inside the
relay. Usually this is for resistive loads, which are attached to the contacts of a relay,
example being a light bulb attached to the relay contacts for the relay to power it on.
When you use a device that requires a lot of current, such as a motor, the motor takes a
big initial surge of current before it gets up to speed. In this case, make sure you choose a
relay rated for double the current that the motor draws when it is running.

Applications of relay
Change motor direction with DPDT relay
Double Pole Double Throw relay, it is quite interesting and can be used in various
scenarious, including for changing the direction of a motor. It can be use to choose
between 2 different types and have a visual indication of what rotation is choosen. It has
2 terminals and 4 connectors and you can look at the DPDT relay as the equivalent of 2
Single Pole Double Throw SPDT relays.

Relay
Definition of relay

Types Of Relay
1 Latching Relay

Thermal Relay

Overload protection Relay

Contactor Relay

Time delay relay

Applications of relay