What is a relay and how does it work?
Relay modules offered in our store are electrical and electronic devices whose task, under certain conditions, is to suddenly change state in one or more output circuits. A relay responds to a change in an input physical quantity such as voltage, current, pressure or temperature in such a way that when it exceeds a certain level, the signal changes in steps, usually by means of "on" or "off" commands.
Applications for relays
Through their operation, relays allow a higher amplitude or voltage level to have an effect in circuits. There are overcurrent and undercurrent relays that respond to a change in the measured quantity above or below a certain level. An example is an overcurrent relay, which will trip when the current flowing through it exceeds a certain value. We offer relay modules ready to be implemented into the system or model being designed.
Our relay modules are equipped with opto-isolation. What is optoisolation? It is nothing as complicated as it may seem. Optoisolation is separating individual circuits from each other by means of signal control. This is possible by using an optocoupler, which sends control signals in such a way as to electrically isolate these circuits. The process of optocoupling allows us to protect selected circuit elements - usually the most expensive ones in our system.
The difference between a contactor and a relay
What is the difference between these two systems, if the principle of their operation is the same? It lies in the systems in which they are used. Contactors are devices for switching high-current systems - for example, electric motors, and relays in low-current systems or signals with zero potential - for example, in the programming of logic controllers. This also results in a much longer life of relays than of contactors (several million connections on relays, to a few thousand on contactors).