Understanding Time Delay Relay Functions

Published March 28, 2012

Issue:
What's the difference between On Delay, Off Delay, Single Shot, Interval On and all these other time delay functions?
Solution/Resolution:
Understanding the differences between all the functions available in time delay relays can sometimes be a daunting task. When designing
circuits using time delay relays, questions such as what initiates a time delay relay, does the timing start with the application or release of
voltage, when does the output relay come on, etc., must be asked.
Time delay relays are simply control relays with a time delay built in. Their purpose is to control an event based on time. The difference
between relays and time delay relays is when the output contacts open & close: on a control relay, it happens when voltage is applied and
removed from the coil; on time delay relays, the contacts can open or close before or after some time delay.
Typically, time delay relays are initiated or triggered by one of two methods:

application of input voltage

opening or closing of a trigger signal

These trigger signals can be one of two designs:

a control switch (dry contact), i.e., limit switch, push button, float switch, etc.

voltage (commonly known as a power trigger)

To help understand, some definitions are important:

Input Voltage-control voltage applied to the input terminals. Depending on the function, input voltage will either initiate the unit or
make it ready to initiate when a trigger is applied.

Trigger Signal-on certain timing functions, a trigger is used to initiate the unit after input voltage has been applied. As noted above,
this trigger can either be a control switch (dry contact switch) or a power trigger (voltage).

Output (Load)-every time delay relay has an output (either mechanical relay or solid state) that will open & close to control the load.
Note that the user must provide the voltage to power the load being switched by the output contacts of the time delay relay.
Below are both written and visual descriptions on how the common timing functions operate. A Timing Chart shows the relationship between
Input Voltage, Trigger (if present) and Output. If you cannot find a product to fit your requirements or have any questions, Macromatic's
Application Engineers offer technical information along with product selection and application assistance. Either e-mail or call us at 800-2387474 for help.
Function

Operation

Timing Chart

ON DELAY
Delay on Make
Delay on Operate

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t)

begins. At the end of the time delay (t), the output is
energized. Input voltage must be removed to reset the
time delay relay & de-energize the output.

INTERVAL ON
Interval

Upon application of input voltage, the output is

energized and the time delay (t) begins. At the end of
the time delay (t), the output is de-energized. Input
voltage must be removed to reset the time delay relay.

OFF DELAY
Delay on Release
Delay on Break
Delay on De-Energization

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the output is energized. Upon removal of the
trigger, the time delay (t) begins. At the end of the
time delay (t), the output is de-energized. Any
application of the trigger during the time delay will
reset the time delay (t) and the output remains
energized.

SINGLE SHOT
One Shot
Momentary Interval

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the output is energized and the time delay (t)
begins. During the time delay (t), the trigger is
ignored. At the end of the time delay (t), the output is
de-energized and the time delay relay is ready to
accept another trigger.

FLASHER
(Off First)

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t)

begins. At the end of the time delay (t), the output is
energized and remains in that condition for the time
delay (t). At the end of the time delay (t), the output is
de-energized and the sequence repeats until input
voltage is removed.

FLASHER
(On First)

Upon application of input voltage, the output is

energized and the time delay (t) begins. At the end of
the time delay (t), the output is de-energized and
remains in that condition for the time delay (t). At the
end of the time delay (t), the output is energized and
the sequence repeats until input voltage is removed.

ON/OFF DELAY

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of the
time delay (t1), the output is energized. When the
trigger is removed, the output contacts remain
energized for the time delay (t2). At the end of the
time delay (t2), the output is de-energized & the time
delay relay is ready to accept another trigger. If the
trigger is removed during time delay period (t1), the
output will remain de-energized and time delay (t1)
will reset. If the trigger is re-applied during time delay
period (t2), the output will remain energized and the
time delay (t2) will reset.

SINGLE SHOT FALLING Upon application of input voltage, the time delay
relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
EDGE
applied, the output remains de-energized. Upon
removal of the trigger, the output is energized and the
time delay (t) begins. At the end of the time delay (t),
the output is de-energized unless the trigger is
removed and re-applied prior to time out (before time
delay (t) elapses). Continuous cycling of the trigger at
a rate faster than the time delay (t) will cause the
output to remain energized indefinitely.

WATCHDOG
Retriggerable Single Shot

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the output is energized and the time delay (t)
begins. At the end of the time delay (t), the output is
de-energized unless the trigger is removed and reapplied prior to time out (before time delay (t)
elapses). Continuous cycling of the trigger at a rate
faster than the time delay (t) will cause the output to
remain energized indefinitely.

TRIGGERED ON DELAY Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the time delay (t) begins. At the end of the
time delay (t), the output is energized and remains in
that condition as long as either the trigger is applied or
the input voltage remains. If the trigger is removed
during the time delay (t), the output remains deenergized & the time delay (t) is reset.
REPEAT CYCLE
(OFF 1st)

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t1)

begins. At the end of the time delay (t1), the output is
energized and remains in that condition for the time
delay (t2). At the end of this time delay, the output is
de-energized and the sequence repeats until input
voltage is removed.

REPEAT CYCLE
(ON 1st)

Upon application of input voltage, the output is

energized and the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of
the time delay (t1), the output is de-energized and
remains in that condition for the time delay (t2). At
the end of this time delay, the output is energized and
the sequence repeats until input voltage is removed.

DELAYED INTERVAL
Single Cycle

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t1)

begins. At the end of the time delay (t1), the output is
energized and remains in that condition for the time
delay (t2). At the end of this time delay (t2), the
output is de-energized. Input voltage must be removed
to reset the time delay relay.

TRIGGERED DELAYED
INTERVAL
Single Cycle

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of the
time delay (t1), the output is energized and remains in
that condition for the time delay (t2). At the end of the
time delay (t2), the output is de-energized & the relay
is ready to accept another trigger. During both time
delay (t1) & time delay (t2), the trigger is ignored.

TRUE OFF DELAY

Upon application of input voltage, the output is

energized. When the input voltage is removed, the
time delay (t) begins. At the end of the time delay (t),
the output is de-energized. Input voltage must be
applied for a minimum of 0.5 seconds to assure proper
operation. Any application of the input voltage during
the time delay (t) will reset the time delay. No external
trigger is required.

ON DELAY/ TRUE OFF

DELAY

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t1)

begins. At the end of the time delay (t1), the output is
energized. When the input voltage is removed, the
output remains energized for the time delay (t2). At
the end of the time delay (t2), the output is deenergized. Input voltage must be applied for a
minimum of 0.5 seconds to assure proper operation.
Any application of the input voltage during the time
delay (t2) will keep the output energized & reset the
time delay (t2). No external trigger is required.

SINGLE SHOT-FLASHER Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

relay is ready to accept a trigger. When the trigger is
applied, the time delay (t1) begins and the output is
energized for the time delay (t2). At the end of this
time delay (t2), the output is de-energized and remains
in that condition for the time delay (t2). At the end of
the time delay (t2), the output is energized and the
sequence repeats until time delay (t1) is completed.
During the time delay (t1), the trigger is ignored.
ON DELAY-FLASHER

Upon application of input voltage, the time delay

begins (t1). At the end of the time delay (t1), the
output is energized and remains in that condition for
the time delay (t2). At the end of this time delay (t2),
the output is de-energized and remains in that
condition for the time delay (t2). At the end of the
time delay (t2), the output is energized and the
sequence repeats until input voltage is removed.