Relays

Relays are electrically operated switches where you find current flowing through the coil. It is this current that creates a magnetic field to attract a lever. These relay circuits then change the switch contacts. This coiled current can either be in the off or on position. This is why electrical relays have two switch positions and are thus called double throw switches.

It is possible to use an electrical relay to permit one circuit to switch to another circuit which may be completely different from the first. It is possible to use a relay on a low voltage battery circuit to switch to a 230V AC mains circuit. You don’t actually find any electrical connection inside the relay in between the two circuits. Whatever connection exists between the circuits is both magnetic and mechanical.

There are different types of relays available which have to be chosen and used according to the need and requirements. A timer relay is one where you find a time interval between the energizing and the deenergezing of the coil. You also find a time gap in the movement of the armature like in a slow-acting relay and a slow release relay.

Another form of relay is the reed relay which consists of two magnetic strips found inside a glass envelope. Once the coil found around the envelope is energized, the contacts of the relay tend to snap together to form a connection between the leads which are attached to the reed strips.

Automotive relays are found in different powers like the 12 volt relay and the 6v relay. These relays offer added performance if and when required by increasing the wattage to the wattage required by the electrical appliance. It also helps in the stabilizing of the voltage when the power comes from the switch.

Relay switches come in different brands where the choice on the right automotive relay switch lies in your hands. Panasonic relays and Bosch relays are two brands that are most commonly used today in the electrical world. If you prefer to buy a Bosch relay switch, you find that there are four types of relays available here like the High Capacity, the Standard 40A and the Micro power relays offered in SPST and SPDT. A typical Bosch relay switch is found in the 12 or 24 volt DC input. In addition to this, Bosch power relays are found in bracket mount with SPST contact action only.