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Understanding Time Delay Relay Functions

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Thursday: October 17, 2019 : Time Delay Relays

Issue:
What is 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 is the output
relay energized, 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

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)
CAUTION: any time delay relay that is designed to be initiated with a dry contact control switch trigger could be damaged if voltage is applied to the
trigger switch terminals.  Only products that have a "power trigger" should be used with voltage as the 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 800-238-7474 for help. 

NOTE: not all functions are available on any of our multi-function products.  Please check the catalog pages or specification sheets of each multi-
function product to confirm what functions are included.

Function Operation Timing Chart

ON DELAY
Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t) begins. At the end of the time delay
Delay on (t), the output is energized. Input voltage must be removed to reset the time delay relay
Make
& de-energize the output.
Delay on
Operate

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

OFF DELAY
Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
Delay on When the trigger is applied, the output is energized. Upon removal of the trigger, the
Release
time delay (t) begins. At the end of the time delay (t), the output is de-energized. Any
Delay on application of the trigger during the time delay will reset the time delay (t) and the
Break
output remains energized.
Delay on De-
Energization

SINGLE SHOT
Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
One Shot
When the trigger is applied, the output is energized and the time delay (t) begins.
Momentary During the time delay (t), the trigger is ignored. At the end of the time delay (t), the
Interval output is de-energized and the time delay relay is ready to accept another trigger.

FLASHER
Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t) begins. At the end of the time delay
(Off First) (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
Upon application of input voltage, the output is energized and the time delay (t) begins.
(On First) 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 Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
DELAY 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 Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
FALLING When the trigger is applied, the output remains de-energized. Upon removal of the
EDGE 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
Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
Retriggerable When the trigger is applied, the output is energized and the time delay (t) begins. At the
Single Shot 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.

TRIGGERED Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
ON DELAY 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 de-energized & the time delay (t) is reset.

REPEAT Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of the time
CYCLE
delay (t1), the output is energized and remains in that condition for the time delay (t2).
(OFF 1st) At the end of this time delay, the output is de-energized and the sequence repeats until
input voltage is removed.

REPEAT Upon application of input voltage, the output is energized and the time delay (t1)
CYCLE
begins. At the end of the time delay (t1), the output is de-energized and remains in that
(ON 1st) 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 Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of the time
INTERVAL
delay (t1), the output is energized and remains in that condition for the time delay (t2).
Single Cycle 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 Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
DELAYED When the trigger is applied, the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of the time delay (t1),
INTERVAL
the output is energized and remains in that condition for the time delay (t2). At the end
Single Cycle 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 Upon application of input voltage, the output is energized. When the input voltage is
DELAY 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/ Upon application of input voltage, the time delay (t1) begins. At the end of the time
TRUE OFF delay (t1), the output is energized. When the input voltage is removed, the output
DELAY remains energized for the time delay (t2). At the end of the time delay (t2), 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 (t2) will
keep the output energized & reset the time delay (t2). No external trigger is required.

SINGLE Upon application of input voltage, the time delay relay is ready to accept a trigger.
SHOT- When the trigger is applied, the time delay (t1) begins and the output is energized for
 FLASHER 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- Upon application of input voltage, the time delay begins (t1). At the end of the time
FLASHER 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.

PERCENTAGE Upon initial application of input voltage, the output is energized and time delay (t1)
begins. Time Delay (t1) is adjustable as a percentage of the overall cycle time (t2). At
the end of time delay (t1), the output is de-energized for the remainder of overall cycle
(t2-t1). The sequence then repeats until input voltage is removed. If input voltage is
removed and reapplied, the timing cycle will continue from where it left off when the
input voltage was removed. A setting of 100% energizes the output continuously while
a setting of 0% de-energizes the output continuously.

PERCENTAGE Upon initial application of input voltage, the output is energized and time delay (t1)
(NO begins. Time Delay (t1) is adjustable as a percentage if the overall cycle time (t2). At the
MEMORY) end of time delay (t1), the output is de-energized for the remainder of overall cycle (t2-
t1). The sequence then repeats until input voltage is removed. If input voltage is
removed and reapplied, the timing cycle will be reset. A setting of 100% energizes the
output continuously while a setting of 0% de-energizes the output continuously.

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