Tag: relay

The main function of a time relay is to act as an actuator in a simple program control, when it receives a start signal to start the timing, after the timing is over its operating contacts are opened or closed, thus driving the subsequent circuit work. Generally speaking, the time delay performance of a time relay is adjustable within the design range, thus making it easy to adjust the length of its delay time, so this article will tell you how to adjust time relay.

The relay contacts’ jumping or switching on/off will cause the change of inductive load and further gas discharge. The current of relay contact on-off is small, there will be no electrical arc between contacts, but there will be a spark at the relay contacts. Due to the existence of inductance in the contact circuit, there will be overvoltage on the inductance when disconnecting the contact circuit. Together with the voltage supply in the contact gap, the contact gap that just separates a little will be broken down and discharged. Limited to energy, there will only be spark discharge. The conversion of capacitance between contacts and energy in inductance makes spark discharge disappear and reappear, becoming a high frequency signal, which will be crosstalk to related circuits by means of high frequency radiation, wire transmission and distributed capacitance, forming interference signals. Furthermore, spark discharges can also damage relay contacts and shorten the service life of contacts, so that sparks may ablate contact surfaces and make the surface uneven, resulting in failure of relay poor contact.

Relays and transistors have a similar basic function, that is, both play roles of electronic switches. However, relays and transistors are very different from each other. Now let’s take a quick peek at the differences between relays and transistors.

Measurement method of a safety relay's DC resistance with a digital multiemter is similar to that with a pointer multimeter. According to the nominal DC resistance of safety relay, place the multimeter in an appropriate resistor and connect two test pens to the leading wire of the relay coil, then measure the resistance. Comparing the measurement result with the nominal resistance, if the error is within ±l0%, it's normal. If the resistance is obviously smaller, partial short-circuit fault exists in the coil; If the resistance is zero, the coil is short circuited; If the multiemter shows "1", the coil breaks.

Safety relay has special color, generally yellow. Current safety relay acts reliably and flexibly, it's mainly used to control the power supply circuit. When an emergency occurs, the circuit controlled by the safety relay is disconnected by pressing the emergency stop switch, thus ensuring safety.

Safety relay is the main component of electric locomotive control circuit and monitoring protection system. When the electrical components or connection wires in the main circuit or auxiliary circuit break as the electric locomotive is running, the safety relay of corresponding monitoring protection system can transfer the fault into electric signal. On one hand, the electric signal will be fed back to the opening coil of main breaker to trip the main breaker, thus cutting off general power supply of the electric locomotive to protect it. On the other hand, the electric signal will be fed back to signal device (including mechanical signal and electrical signal) and make it to display different fault conditions, thus guiding the electric locomotive conductor to deal with faults timely and correctly. In this respect, the safety relay doesn't directly control the main circuit or auxiliary circuit, but it's of great importance to the electric locomotive.

Measure coil resistance, resistance of a power relay coil can be measured with the R×10Ω band, thus judging whether the coil has open circuit. Measure actuation voltage and actuation current, with an adjustable stabilized voltage supply and ammeter, the power relay can be input with a voltage while the ammeter can be connected in series to monitor. Slowly increase the power supply. Voltage and record the actuation voltage and actuation current when the power relay is attracted. For accuracy, more operations can be repeated to get the average value. Measure release voltage and release current, connect wires as the test above. When the power relay is attracted, reduce the power supply voltage slowly and record the voltage and current as hearing the relay to release again. More operations can be repeated to get the average value.

Safety relay can be classified into electromagnetic safety relay, thermal reed relay and solid-state relay. The working principle of safety relays can also be roughly divided into three types. Safety relay is composed of several relays and circuits, so as to supplement each other's abnormal defects and achieve the complete function of relay with correct and low faulty operation, so as to make the error and failure value become lower, thus reaching higher safety factor. Therefore, multiple safety relays should be designed to protect different grades of machinery. It is used to mainly protect the mechanical operators who perform operation under different levels of risk.

In addition to comprehensive parameter testing and effective screening of relays, proper use of relays is also an effective way to improve the reliability of relays. Conversely, improper use will shorten the life of the relay. How to improve the reliability of the relay? Here are some suggestions for your reference.

• Reasonable selection of the working voltage of the relay
  The pull-in voltage of the relay is generally only one-half to two-thirds of its rated working voltage. However, when using the relay, it must work at its rated working voltage, but not the pull-in voltage as the working voltage. This is because, under the condition of the pull-in voltage, although the relay has been operated, the pressure between the moving contacts has not reached the specified value, which will cause the contact resistance between the contacts to be too large, if the contact at high current conditions, when working, it will increase the contact power, which will easily lead to contact ablation and shorten the working life.

A contactor is mainly used in a primary loop, which can go through a large current (several hundred to about one thousand Amps). While a relay is used in a secondary circuit to achieve various control functions, which can only go through a small current (several to decades Amps). Functions, contacts opening and closing situation of the two subject are different.