RELAY

A relay is an electromagnetic switch operated by a relatively

small electric current that can turn on or off a much larger electric current.
The heart of a relay is an electromagnet (a coil of wire that becomes a
temporary magnet when electricity flows through it). You can think of a relay
as a kind of electric lever: switch it on with a tiny current and it switches on
the another appliance using a much bigger current.
It also act as the safety device that control the dengerous situation such as
overcurrent, overvoltage, overloading and inder reactance. Relay can be
switch automaticlly based on the signal from other source. So the safety of
relay is a kind of switch used for protection. Relay will cut off the electric
current to an equipment when it is dengerous to the equipment oe personel.
Image of Relay

TERMINAL DISCRIPTION
COIL - These are the terminals where you apply voltage to in order to give
power to the coils which then produce electro megnetic field that pull the
contact and close the switch.
NORMAL OPEN (NO)- This is the terminal where you connect the device that
you want the relay to power. If you want the device to be off when the relay
is not powered and on when the relay is powered.
NORMAL CLOSED (NC)- This is the terminal where you connect the device
that you want to power. If you want the device to be on when the relay is not
powered and off when the relay is powered.
COMMON- If the relay is powered and the switch is closed, COMMON and NO
have continuity. If the relay is not powered and the switch is open, COMMON
and NC have continuity. This is the terminal of the relay where you connect
the first part of your circuit to.

TYPE OF RELAY
There are several type of relay :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Single pole single throw

Single pole double throw
Double pole sigle throw
Double pole double throw
Mercury relay
Reed relay
Multivoltage of relay

HOW DOES RELAY WORK

This is a simple of a relay function. When we switch on and the electric
current flows through the first circuit, it activates the electromagnet and
generating a magnetic field that attracts a contact. The second circuit is
switch on and complete the current can flow . So, that we called normal
closed (NC) relay.

When we switch off and the electric current is not flow throught the first
circuit. The electromagnet is not generating the magnetic field and
a spring pull back the contact to its original position. The second circuit is
switch off and not complete the current can not flow. This we called normal
open (NO) relay.

The picture of relay connect in the circuit

APPLICATION
Relays are being applied at home, industries and even on the street.
Electronic equipment for domestic use have parts that require energy in
order to function. An example of it is refrigerator. This appliance has motors
and fans. Relays are responsible in controlling these parts so that refrigerator
work and produce cold temperature.
Another application of relays is controlling traffic lights. They can be
operated remotely with the use of a switching component. Automatic garage
door is another occasion where relays are being utilized. The doors
movement and direction are the ones being controlled.
Relays do not only energize electronic equipment but also make devices to
stop functioning. These capabilities have brought automation and
convenience in our lives. They let electronics run smoothly and safely. Now,
we do not have to deal directly with electronics that contain high voltage
which may cause danger if they suddenly malfunction.