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What Is a Power Relay?

What Is a Power Relay? thumbnail
What Is a Power Relay?

Power relays, or electromagnetic relays, are found in many types of modern devices, including cars and stereos. They were also used in early computers.

  1. Use

    • A power relay forms or breaks circuits under certain conditions. This serves as an electrical gate for signaling. Power relays can also form a base for Boolean logic as they toggle between two separate, discrete states.

    Design and Operation

    • A power relay consists of four components: an electromagnet, a switch, a power input and a set of electrical contacts. The electromagnet receives power from the power input and changes the switch. The switch toggles between relaying the power between the contacts and not relaying the power.

    Types of Power Relays

    • Power relays come in many different shapes and sizes depending on what electronics they operate in. Large, high voltage relays are used in modern railroad signaling stations, for their long lifespan and for the large size of the circuit they operate on. Smaller ones are found in a light switch or car motor.

    Specifications

    • Power relays are rated based on several criteria. The electromagnetic coil has a certain threshold of power it can handle, how much heat it generates and how long it can operate.

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References

  • Photo Credit 12 volt relais, relay image by Sascha Zlatkov from Fotolia.com

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