Know

about
Different Types of
Relays
By
 Conten
ts
What Is a Relay and How It 1
Works?
2
Applications of
3
Relays
3
Classification of
1. Attraction Type Electromagnetic Relays 4
Relays
2. Induction Type Relays 5
1. Electromagnetic
Relays
1.3 Latching and Non-Latching 8
Relays
2. Solid State or Electronic 9
Relays
9
1. Reed Relay Coupled SSR
2. Transformer-Coupled SSRs 10

3. Photo-Coupled SSRs 10

2.4 Direct Control AC SSR 11

Relays
2.5 Direct Control DC SSR 11
Relays
12
3. High Voltage Relays
1. Vacuum Filled High Voltage Relays 12

2. Gas Filled High Voltage Relays 13

4. Time Delay Relays 14

5. Thermal Relay 15

5.1 Bimetallic Thermal 16

Relays
2. Solid State Thermal Relays 16

3. Melting Alloy Relays 16

5.4 Temperature Control Thermal Relays 17

What Is a Relay and How It Works?

Relays are the primary protection as well as switching devices in most of the control
processes or equipment regardless of whether they are electronic or
electromechanical. All the relays respond to one or more electrical quantities like
voltage or current such that they open or close the contacts or circuits. A relay is a
switching device as it works to isolate or change the state of an electric circuit from
one state to another. These are found in all sorts of devices. Relays allow one circuit
to switch over to a second circuit that can be completely separated from the first.
There is no electrical connection inside the relay between the two circuits – the link is
magnetic and mechanical only.

Basically a relay consists of an electromagnet coil, an armature, a spring and a series

of electrical contacts. The electromagnet coil gets power through a switch or a relay
driver and causes the armature to get connected such that the load gets the power
supply. The armature movement is caused using a spring. Thus, the relay consists of
two separate electrical circuits that are connected to each other only through a
magnetic connection, and the relay is controlled by controlling the switching of the
electromagnet.
The contacts are usually common (COM) – normally open (NO) and normally closed
(NC). The normally closed contact is connected to the common contact if power is not
applied to the coil. The normally open contact is opened if power is not applied to
the coil. When the coil is energized, the common contact is connected to the normally
open contact, and the normally closed contact is left floating. The double-pole
versions are same as the single-pole version except when the two switches open and
close together.

Applications of Relays

 Control a high-voltage circuit with a low-voltage signal, as in some types of modems

or audio amplifiers.

 Control a high-current circuit with a low-current signal, as in the starter solenoid of

an automobile.

 Detect and isolate faults on transmission and distribution lines by opening and
closing the circuit breakers.

 Time delay functions. Relays can be modified to delay opening or delay closing set
of contacts. A very-short delay uses a copper disk between the armature and
moving blade assembly.

Typical applications of relays include computer interfaces, telecommunication

systems, traffic control, automotive electrical systems, home appliances, lighting
control systems, electric motor controllers, tools and machines, air-conditioning and
heating systems, and so on.
Classification of Relays

Classification or the types of relays depend on the function for which they are used.
Some of the categories include protective, reclosing, regulating, auxiliary and
monitoring relays. Protective relays continuously monitor these parameters: voltage,
current, and power; and, if these parameters violate from the set limits, the
protective relays generate an alarm or isolate that particular circuit. These types of
relays are used to protect equipments like motors, generators, and transformers,
and so on. Some of these are induction type over current relays, distance relays,
differential relays, etc.

Reclosing relays are used to connect various components and devices within the
system network, such as synchronizing process, and to restore various devices soon
after any electrical fault vanishes, and also to connect transformers and feeders to a
line network. Regulating relays are the switches that contact such that a voltage
boosts up as in the case of tap-changing transformers.

Auxiliary contacts are used, in circuit breakers and other protective equipments for
contact multiplication. Monitoring relays monitor a system conditions such as
direction of power and accordingly generates an alarm. These relays are also called as
directional relays.
Depending on the operating principle and structural features, relays are of different
types: electromagnetic relays, thermal relays, power varied relays, multi-dimensional
relays, and so on, with varied ratings, sizes and applications.

1. Electromagnetic Relays

These relays are constructed from electrical, mechanical and magnetic components,
and possess operating coil and mechanical contacts. Therefore, when a coil gets
activated by a power supply source, these mechanical contacts get opened or closed.
The type of supply can be AC or DC.
Both AC and DC relays work on the same principle as that of electromagnetic
induction, but the construction is somewhat differentiated and also depends on the
application for which these relays are selected. DC relays are employed with a
freewheeling diode to de- energize the coil, and the AC relays use laminated cores to
prevent eddy current losses.

The very interesting aspect of an AC is that, for every half cycle, the direction of the
current supply changes; therefore, for every cycle, the coil loses its magnetism since
the zero current in every half cycle makes the relay continuously make and break the
circuit. So – to prevent this – additionally one shaded coil or other electronic circuit is
placed in the AC relay to provide magnetism in the zero current position.

1.1 Attraction Type Electromagnetic Relays

These relays can work with both AC and DC supply and attract a metal bar or a piece
of
metal when power is supplied to the coil. This can be a plunger being drawn towards
the solenoid or an armature being attracted towards the poles of an electromagnet,
as shown in the figure. These relays don’t have any time delays, so these are used for
instantaneous operation. These can be typed like

 Attracted Armature Relay

 Solenoid Type Relay

 Balanced Beam Relay

1.2 Induction Type Relays

These are used as protective relays in AC systems alone and are unusable with DC
systems. The actuating force of contacts, movement is developed by a moving
conductor that may be a disc or a cup, through the interaction of electromagnetic
fluxes due to fault currents.

These are of several types like:

 Shaded Pole Type Relays

 Watt-hour Meter Type Relays

 Induction Cup Structure Relays

Shaded pole relay consists of aluminum disc, which is pivoted such that it freely
rotates in the air gap of an electromagnet. Shaded ring or copper ring is surrounded
on one half of each pole. The induced currents in this shaded ring produce another
flux called as shaded flux, which lags behind the flux produced by the unshaded pole
by some angle. The phase difference between these two fluxes produces necessary
torque to rotate the disc.

The Watt-hour structure type relay works as an electromagnetic induction type of

watt- hour – a meter so named, after it. It consists of two magnets: upper and lower
electromagnets and aluminium disc, which is pivoted such that it rotates freely
between the two electromagnets. In this relay, the upper magnet consists of two
windings: primary and secondary windings, wherein the primary winding carries the
relay current and the secondary winding is connected to the lower magnet. This
primary current induces EMF in the secondary winding, so it produces a flux that lags
behind the main flux by some angle. The phase difference of these fluxes produces
torque on the disc, whose magnitude is proportional to the product of these two
fluxes multiplied by the sine angle between these two fluxes.
The induction cup structure relay works on similar principle of an induction disc relay.
This relay can be four pole or eight pole depending on the number of windings
accommodated. Due to the replacement of the disc with an aluminum cup, the inertia
of the rotating system is significantly reduced. In this type of relay, the rotating
magnetic field is produced by one pair of poles inducing a current in the aluminum
cup.

In this relay, the cup movement or torque is produced by the interaction of fields
produced by the two pair of poles (as shown in the below figure) that have lagged one
another with some angle. In the normal operating conditions, the cup remains
standstill, but, in case of any fault, a very high current in the coil causes to move the
cup so that the circuit gets isolated from the power supply.

1.3 Latching and Non-Latching Relays

Non-Latching Relays
This type of relays is initially at a normally closed (NC) position which is maintained by
the
force of a spring or magnet if no current flows through the coil. If a current starts
flowing through the relay coil, the normally open (NO) contact is operated by the
magnetic field of the coil and when the current stops, it reverts back to the NC
position, as shown in the below figure.
Latching Relays

These relays are used in applications where there is a

need to limit power dissipation and consumption.
These latching relays consist of 1 or 2 coils and have
no default position, but when current stops flowing
remain in their last position. Once these relays are
actuated they didn’t require any power to maintain
their position, but their reset position is based on the
control circuitry. The direction of current flow in one
coil relay determines the position of the relay,
whereas particular coil current flow determines the
position of armature in 2–coil latching relay.

2.Solid State or Electronic Relays

Solid State uses solid state components to perform the switching operation with one
or
more semiconductor switching devices like a power transistor, thyristor and TRIAC
without moving any parts. Since the control energy required is much lower, compared
to the output power to be controlled by this relay, which may result the power gain
higher compared to the electromagnetic relays. These relays are of different types:
reed relay coupled SSR, transformer-coupled SSR, photo-coupled SSR, and so on.

1. Reed Relay Coupled SSR

Reed Relays consist of a pair of
magnetic strips (also called as reed)
that is sealed within a glass tube. This
reed acts as both an armature and a
contact blade. The magnetic field
applied to the coil is wrapped around
this tube that makes these reeds move
so that switching operation is
performed.
Based on the dimensions, relays are differentiated as micro, miniature, subminiature
and miniature relays. Also, based on the construction, these relays are classified as
hermetic, sealed and open-type relays. Furthermore, depending on the load
operating range, relays are of micro, low, intermediate and high-power types.

2.2 Transformer Coupled SSRs

In this type of relay, a control signal is applied to the primary of low-power, small
transformer through AC to DC converter if the supply is DC, otherwise we can
connect directly if it is AC. The secondary excitation is used to trigger the thyristor
switch with or without rectification and amplification depending on the type of circuit.
The design of the transformer decides the degree of isolation between the input and
output.

2.3 Photo-Coupled SSRs

The below figure shows a photo-coupled SSR where the control signal is applied by
LED
and it is detected by a photo-sensitive semiconductor device. The output form this
photo detector is used to trigger the gate of TRIAC or SCR that switches the load.
The electric isolation between the input and output is high due to optical coupling
between them as compared to the magnetic one.
2.4 Direct Control AC SSR Relays
In this relay, operating load circuit AC power is also given to the control circuit to
trigger
the TRIAC. This is a simple design and less expensive, but it doesn’t provide any
isolation between the control and power circuit.

2.5 Direct Control DC SSR Relays

As similar to the above one, in this type of relay also the control circuit is energized
with
the same DC power used in the load circuit. This DC power is utilized to bias the
transistor so that it is conducted to pass the current to the load. This is also less
expensive and simplest circuit than the more sophisticated designs, but without
isolation between the load and the control circuit is the biggest problem or
disadvantage.
3.High Voltage Relays
These relays are quite similar in function to that of low voltage relays, but the major
difference is the contacts which are designed to operate at high voltages. Therefore, a
high insulation is provided between the contacts, between the contacts and the
earth, and between the activator and contacts. This relay contacts are typically
placed in a different medium enclosed by ceramic or glass to prevent arcing at the
time of switching. Generally, two kinds of mediums: vacuum and high-pressure gas
are used in these relays as contacts medium.

1. Vacuum Filled High Voltage Relays

As the characteristics like high-voltage breakdown, fast-recovery rate and an
absolutely
non-reactive and inert environment, vacuum is the ideal dielectric that contains a very
few gas molecules. The dielectric strength of vacuum is 10000V per 0.1mm in vacuum
and also due to no air, the contacts become oxidation free. These relays have stable
and low- contact resistance, so these are widely employed in Radio Frequency (RF)
applications.

The above figure shows the components in a vacuum relay. This type of relay permits
the use of low-mass actuators with the small movement, which is enough to operate
it. When the load is switched, an arc is formed in between the contacts. Due to the
presence of the vacuum, this arc no longer stays, but breakdowns within a moment.
3.2 Gas Filled High Voltage Relays
These relays also provide high dielectric strength and avoids the oxidation. Therefore,
these are ideal for high inrush make and capacitive discharge loads such as cable test
equipment, ESD test equipment, heart defibrillators, etc. In these relays, a mixture of
SF6, sulfur hexa fluoride and nitrogen is used as gas medium. But arc is formed in
this relay when the contacts get opened and sustained for longer durations,
compared to the vacuum relays.

4. Time Delay Relays

The time-delay relays are used for performing time-
delayed switching operations such as starting,
protecting and controlling circuits applications. This
relay consists of a relay mechanism with a control
circuit wherein the control circuit is made with solid
state components and timing circuits so that a
control operation with a predefined-timing
range is performed. This time-delay function
includes on delay, off delay, repeat cycle, one shot,
re-triggerable one shot, pulse generator, on or off
delays, etc. A special type of such relay is a star-
delta wherein within a certain time period it changes
the terminal connection.

These are of different types like:

 Electromagnetic Time Relays

 Capacitor Time Relays

 Electronic Relays

 Hydraulic and Pneumatic Relays

 Microprocessor-based Time Relays

 Accelerated Time Relays

Along with the above types, time-delay relays can also be differentiated depending on
normally open or normally closed contacts with the time delay in the direction of
closing or opening. These are of different types like normally-open timed-closed
contact (NOTC), normally-open timed-open (NOTO), normally-closed timed-open
(NCTO) and normally- closed timed-closed (NCTC) contact type relays.
Depending on the function, these time relays can also be triggered or initiated either
with the application of a trigger or input voltage. These initiated signals can be
controlled- switch-like push button, limit switch, float switch, etc., or simply a power
trigger with voltage excitation.

5. Thermal Relay
These relays are based on the effects of heat, which means – the rise in the
ambient
temperature from the limit, directs the contacts to switch from one position to
another. These are mainly used in protecting motor and other inductive loads
against single phasing, overload and unbalanced voltages. This relay consists of
bimetallic elements like temperature sensors as well as control elements. Thermal
overload relays are the best examples of these relays. These are of different types like

Bimetallic Thermal Realys

Ÿ Solid State Thermal

Relays Ÿ Melting Alloy

Relays

 Temperature Controlled
Thermal Relays

1. Bimetallic
Thermal Relays
When a bimetallic strip heats up, it expands or
bends as shown in the figure due to the inequality
of linear expansion of two dissimilar metals. For any
reason, if the circuit draws heavy or excessive
currents, this in turn causes to increase the
temperature of winding or conductor so this
bimetallic strip also gets expanded, and then finally
the circuit contacts become open. These relays can
be used to operate either in automatic or manual
modes.

2. Solid State Thermal Relays

This relay is built with solidstate electronic
components. It continuously monitors the
starting and running currents to correspondingly calculates the average motor or
load temperature. If the limits of the temperature exceed, then it trips the load.
5.3 Melting Alloy Relays
This relay consists of a eutectic alloy, heater coil and triggering mechanism. The
eutectic
alloy changes from the solid to liquid state at fixed temperature. This alloy with ratchet
wheel acts as a tripping device to open the control circuit contacts. This relay allows
the motor current to pass through the heater coil; thus, under an overload condition,
this coil heats up the eutectic alloy and melts it. This in turn causes the freeing, and
turns the ratchet wheel so that the tripping mechanism is activated.

5.4 Temperature Control Thermal Relays

These relays are used in motor winding protection and use temperature sensors like
thermistors and Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs). These sensors are
embedded in the motor winding which detects the temperature and threshold
circuit in its open- relay contacts.
Furthermore, these thermal relays can be Oil Temperature trip (OT), Winding
Temperature (WT) Trip and Bearing Temperature Trip types.

Relays are also available with different pin configurations like 3-pin, 4-pin and 5-pin
relays. The ways in which these relays are operated is shown in the below figure.
Switching contacts can be SPST, SPDT, DPST and DPDT types. Some of the relays are
normally open (NO) type and the other are normally closed (NC) types.
These are some basic types of relays commonly used in different applications.
Concepts like choosing relays based on capacity and mathematical calculations
related to relay operation are exempted in this document for making it simple to
understand. Some of the relays like distance relays, directional relays and other
power system protection based relays are not included in this document in order to
make this document short and precise.

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