A switch that can be operated electrically is known as a relay. It consists of several operating contact terminals as well as a group of input terminals for multiple or single control signals. The switch might come with a different number of contacts in several contact forms, like break contacts, make contacts, etc.
Relays have found its uses at places where several circuits need to be controlled by a particular signal or where it is important to control the circuit by a low power signal which is independent. Firstly relays were utilized as signal repeaters in long-distance telegraph circuits. Here they used to revive the signal rolling in from one circuit by broadcasting it on another circuit. Relays were utilized excessively in early computers as well as telephone exchanges to carry out logical operations.
The basic version of relays takes the help of an electromagnet to open or close the contacts, however, other working standards have been concocted like the solid-state relays which utilize the semiconductor properties for controlling. Relays that comes with multiple operating coils and adjusted working attributes are utilized in protecting electrical circuits from faults and overload. In current electric power frameworks, these capabilities are taken care of by digital instruments known as protective relays.
Types of Industrial Relay
- Coaxial Relay – Whenever a single antenna is shared between a radio receiver and a transmitter, coaxial relays are used. It helps in switching the antenna from the receiver to the transmitter. Thus the receiver is defended from transmitter's high power.
- Contactor – A heavy-duty relay that comes with a high current rating which is utilized for switching lighting loads and electric motors is known as a contactor.
- Force-guided contacts relay - These types of relay come with contacts that are linked together mechanically such that whenever the relay coil gets energized or de-energized, all of them moves together.
- Latching Relay – A latching relay is basically an electromechanical switch that helps in controlling small flow of electrical current with a larger flow of current.
- Machine tool relay - A machine tool relay is a relay that is used mainly for industrial control of transfer machines, machine tools, etc.
- Mercury Relay – The relay that takes the help of mercury as a switching element is known as mercury relay.
- Multi-Voltage relay – These relays are made in such a manner that they can withstand a wide range of frequency (0 to 300 Hz) as well as a wide range of voltage (24 to 240 VAC).
- Polarized relay – This relay positions the armature in between the poles of a permanent magnet only with a motive to increase sensitivity.
- Static Relay – This kind of relay comes with electronic circuitry to imitate each one of those attributes which are accomplished by moving parts in an electromagnetic relay.
This was all we have regarding Industrial Relays. Hope you enjoyed going through it. Brands that manufacture them are Phoenix Contact, TE Connectivity, and Omron. Make sure to visit them from the links as provided.