Relay coil identified

Fig 1: Relay coil

Relay coil:
A relay is an electrically operated switch. They commonly use an electromagnet (coil) to
operate their internal mechanical switching mechanism (contacts). When a relay contact
is open, this will switch power ON for a circuit when the coil is activated.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cunddFiQzrk

Type Of contact Function number

Normally open contact 3,4
Normally closed contact 1,2
Normally open contact, delayed 7,8
Normally closed contact, delayed 5,6
Changeover contact 1,2,4
Changeover contact, delayed 5,6,8
 Relay MCQ

1. What is the main component of a relay?

a. contacts
b. coil
c. diode
d. capacitor
Answer: b. coil
Explanation: The main component of a relay is the coil, which is an electromagnet that creates a magnetic
field when an electric current is passed through it. The magnetic field is used to activate or deactivate the
contacts, which are the part of the relay that switches the circuit on or off. The contacts are typically made
of metal and are separated by an insulating material. The coil and contacts are the two main components
of a relay and work together to control the operation of the relay.
2. How does a relay work?
a. By using a mechanical switch
b. By using a semiconductor technology
c. By using an electromagnet to activate or deactivate a switch or circuit
d. By using a resistor to change the current
Answer: c. By using an electromagnet to activate or deactivate a switch or circuit
Explanation: A relay works by using an electromagnet to activate or deactivate a switch or circuit. When
an electric current is passed through the coil of the relay, it creates a magnetic field that attracts a metal
armature, which in turn switches the contacts of the relay. This allows the relay to control a high-power
circuit with a low-power signal, such as turning on a large electric motor with a small push-button switch.
A relay can be used to switch AC or DC circuits on or off, and can also be used to control the operation
of multiple circuits at once.
3. What is the purpose of a relay?
a) To amplify electrical signals
b) To switch electrical circuits on and off
c) To filter electrical noise
d) To measure electrical resistance
Answer: b) To switch electrical circuits on and off
Explanation: A relay is an electrically operated switch that uses an electromagnet to activate or deactivate
a switch or circuit. It is used to control a high-power circuit with a low-power signal, such as turning on a
large electric motor with a small push-button switch.
4. What type of relay has a coil that is energized with AC voltage?
a) DC Relay
b) AC Relay
c) Mechanical Relay
d) Solid State Relay
Answer: b) AC Relay
Explanation: An AC relay uses an alternating current to energize its coil, which then activates the switch
or circuit. DC relays use direct current to energize the coil, while mechanical relays use a mechanical
mechanism to activate the switch or circuit. Solid-state relays use semiconductor technology instead of
electromagnetism to switch the circuit.
5. What type of relay is used in applications where high-frequency switching is required?
a) Electromechanical Relay
b) Solid State Relay
c) Reed Relay
d) Mercury Relay
Answer: b) Solid State Relay
Explanation: Solid-state relays are faster than electromechanical relays and can switch at high frequencies.
They also have a longer lifespan and are less prone to mechanical failure. Reed relays are also fast but are
not suitable for high-power switching applications. Mercury relays are not used in modern systems due to
environmental concerns.
6. What type of relay is used in applications where minimal power consumption is a concern?
a) Electromechanical Relay
b) Solid State Relay
c) Reed Relay
d) Mercury Relay
Answer: c) Reed Relay
Explanation: Reed relays use a small reed switch that is activated by a magnetically activated reed. These
relays have very low power consumption and are often used in portable or battery-powered devices.
Electromechanical relays consume more power, solid-state relays consume a little more power than Reed
relays and Mercury relays are not used in modern systems due to environmental concerns.
7. What are the maximum voltage and current rating of a relay?
a) Voltage rating
b) Current rating
c) Contact rating
d) Coil rating
Answer: c) Contact rating
Explanation: The contact rating of a relay is the maximum voltage and current that the contacts can safely
handle. It’s a combination of the voltage rating and current rating, and it’s important to ensure that the
relay is rated for the voltage and current of the circuit it will be controlling. The coil rating is the maximum
voltage and current that the coil can safely handle.
8. What is the purpose of a latching relay?
a. To switch electrical circuits on and off
b. To hold a circuit in a specific state
c. To amplify electrical signals
d. To filter electrical noise
Answer: b. To hold a circuit in a specific state
Explanation: A latching relay is a type of relay that can maintain a specific state without the need for
continuous power applied to the coil. This type of relay has two stable states, set and reset, that can be
activated by applying a momentary pulse of power to the coil. Once the desired state is reached, the relay
will hold that state until a new pulse of power is applied. This makes them useful for maintaining a specific
state even in the event of a power failure.
9. What is the function of a Proximity relay?
a. To switch electrical circuits on and off
b. To detect and trip a circuit when an overcurrent condition occurs
c. To detect the presence or absence of an object
d. To filter electrical noise
Answer: c. To detect the presence or absence of an object
Explanation: A proximity relay is a type of relay that uses an inductive or capacitive sensing element to
detect the presence or absence of an object. These relays are commonly used in industrial applications to
detect the position of moving parts or to sense the presence of a specific object. They can also be used in
security systems to detect the presence of people or vehicles. They are versatile and are able to detect a
wide range of materials, including metal, plastic, and glass, and can detect objects through non-metallic
barriers.
10. What type of relay is used to protect a motor from overloading?
a) Electromechanical relay
b) Solid state relay
c) Overload relay
d) Proximity relay
Answer: c) Overload relay
Explanation: An overload relay is a type of protection relay that is used to protect motors from
overloading. It monitors the current flowing through the motor and trips the circuit if the current exceeds
a pre-determined value.
11. What type of relay is used to detect the presence of an object in a specific area?
a) Reed relay
b) Proximity relay
c) Mercury wetted relay
d) Latching relay
Answer: b) Proximity relay
Explanation: A proximity relay is a type of sensor that is used to detect the presence of an object in a
specific area. It uses electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves to detect the presence of an object, and can be
used in a variety of applications, such as industrial automation, robotics, and security systems.
12. What type of relay is used to isolate a circuit from another circuit?
a) Latching relay
b) Reed relay
c) Isolation relay
d) solid state relay
Answer: c) Isolation relay
Explanation: An isolation relay is a type of relay that is used to isolate a circuit from another circuit. It is
used to separate a control circuit from a load circuit, and can be used to prevent electrical shock, short
circuits, and other hazards.
13. What type of relay is used to switch a circuit on and off based on a specific temperature range?
a) Thermal relay
b) Time-delay relay
c) Latching relay
d) Control relay
Answer: a) Thermal relay
Explanation: A thermal relay is a type of relay that is used to switch a circuit on and off based on a specific
temperature range. It uses a bimetallic strip or thermistor to sense temperature and can be used to protect
equipment and devices from overheating, such as in HVAC systems or industrial machinery.
14. What is the primary function of a relay’s armature?
a) To create a magnetic field
b) To open and close the contacts
c) To control the flow of electrical current
d) To act as a switch
Answer: b) To open and close the contacts
Explanation: The armature is the moving part of a relay that is responsible for opening and closing the
contacts. When the relay is activated, the armature moves to close the contacts and allow current to flow
through the circuit.
15. What type of electrical accident can occur if a relay contacts become stuck in the closed position?
a) Short circuit
b) Open circuit
c) Ground fault
d) Overheating
Answer: a) Short circuit
Explanation: If a relay’s contacts become stuck in the closed position, a short circuit can occur. This is
because the contacts remain closed, allowing current to flow through the circuit even when it should not,
potentially causing damage to equipment or even starting a fire.
16. What type of relay is used to switch a circuit on and off based on a specific signal or condition?
a) Control relay
b) Time-delay relay
c) Latching relay
d) Overload relay
Answer: a) Control relay
Explanation: A control relay is a type of relay that is used to switch a circuit on and off based on a specific
signal or condition. It can be used to control the operation of lights, motors, and other devices, and can be
used in a variety of applications, such as industrial automation, building automation, and home
automation.
17. What type of electrical accident can occur if a relay is used to switch high voltage or high current
loads?
a) Short circuit
b) Open circuit
c) Ground fault
d) Overheating
Answer: d) Overheating
Explanation: If a relay is used to switch high voltage or high current loads, overheating can occur. This is
because the relay’s contacts may not be able to handle the high current or voltage, and can become
damaged or melt, potentially causing equipment failure or starting a fire.