Encyclopedia of Electronic Components Volume 1

Chapter 9. relay

power > connection > relay

Properly known as an electromagnetic armature relay to distinguish it from a solid-state relay. However, the full term is very rarely used. It may also be described as an electromechanical relay, but the term relay is normally understood to mean a device that is not solid state.

Other related components

• solid state relay (Volume 2)
• switch (See Chapter 6)

What It Does

A relay enables a signal or pulse of electricity to switch on (or switch off) a separate flow of electricity. Often, a relay uses a low voltage or low current to control a higher voltage and/or higher current. The low voltage/low current signal can be initiated by a relatively small, economical switch, and can be carried to the relay by relatively ...