Over the years, control relays of various types have been used by the hundreds — even thousands — to control nearly every function in commercial and industrial processes. Today, many of those ...

This chapter covers representative general-purpose relays used in the control circuits of most industrial, commercial, and consumer products. Relay names and terminology are in accordance with ...

The Machine Primary Control Elements (MPCE) 1 and 2 are typically a relay with force guided contacts. When a safety interlock, light curtain, or e-stop switch opens a circuit, the MPCE NO contacts ...

Relays and contactors use a variety of technologies to switch signals and power connections. Many devices called relays use similar techniques and topologies, but the terminology can be confusing.

Last column, I wrote about various applications where fire alarm relays could be used to integrate a commercial fire alarm system with other electrical systems at a customer’s site to provide them ...

Have you ever needed to power a 12-volt relay in a circuit but only had 6 or 9 volts available? This simple circuit will solve that problem. It allows 12-volt relays to be operated from 6 or 9 volts, ...

As an electric motor’s rotor turns in close proximity to the motor windings, a bucking voltage or back electromotive force (EMF) is generated. The back EMF (BEMF) generated across the start winding is ...

My July 3 column covered the theory and operation of potential relays. This article covers potential relay ratings and specifications along with systematic troubleshooting. Here is an example of a ...

What is a relay? What is zero voltage switching? How to create a zero-crossing relay driver with a simple external circuit. A relay is a device that allows for a smaller electronic switch to control a ...

Relays are clunky, switch slowly, have contact bounce, and make noise, both acoustically and electromagnetically, so why are they still used? Relays are clunky, switch slowly, have contact bounce, and ...

Electromechanical relays can be manufactured with high-frequency RF characteristics that allow them to pass and switch signals in the 7-GHz range and beyond with the proper packaging. Two key RF ...