A relay module is an electrical control operated by an electromagnet. The relay was invented in 1835 by US scientist Joseph Henry. A relay module comprises a wire loop folded over a soft iron core, or solenoid, an iron yoke that delivers a low reluctance path for magnetic motion, a versatile iron armature, and sets of contacts. Relays perform different tasks in industrial control applications such as switching, separating, amplifying, multiplying, etc.
Relay modules work on the principle of electromagnetic attraction. When the relay circuit senses the fault current, it energizes the electromagnetic field, which produces a temporary magnetic field. It permits the transferable contacts to make or break a connection with the fixed connection. When the relay is de-energized, the contacts that are closed automatically start and break the connection and vice versa. The small power relay has only one contact, and the high-power relay has two contacts for opening the switch.
We have listed down a few top companies that manufacture relay modules.
Best relay module companies
WAGO: The range of relays and optocouplers offer a solution for any requirement. The WAGO relay modules can be used in any industry sector, including process technology and power engineering, railway applications and machine engineering, and general control cabinet construction.
The WAGO relays come with a lot of benefits, such as:
- Huge range of coupling and timer relays
- Relays easily connect conductors from 0.34 to 2.5 mm2 (22–12 AWG)
- Switchable loads from 1 mA to 16 A
- Wide range of accessories
- Easy to operate and service
Finder: Finder manufactures various electromechanical and electronic components for the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Finder, founded in 1954, offers 14,500 different products for all applications.
Omron: Omron specializes in sensing, control, and automation solutions and products. The company, headquartered in Japan, caters to a wide range of sectors such as industrial automation, electronic components, automotive, infrastructure, healthcare, and environmental customers.
Schneider Electric: The company manufactures products used for energy management and automation products. Schneider Electric provides solutions for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure, etc.
Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact is an expert in automation technology for the transportation, automotive, water management, oil and gas, and wind and solar power industries.
Types of relays
- Electromagnetic Relays
- Latching Relays
- Electronic Relays
- Non-Latching Relays
- Reed Relays
- High-Voltage Relays
- Small Signal Relays
- Time Delay Relays
- Multi-Dimensional Relays
- Thermal Relays
- Differential Relays
- Distance Relays
- Automotive Relays
- Frequency Relays
- Polarized Relays
- Rotary Relays
- Sequence Relays
- Moving Coil Relays
- Buchholz Relays
- Safety Relays
- Supervision relays
- Ground Fault Relays
Benefits of relay
- Effective operation
- Circuit multiplication
- Galvanic isolation
- Voltage conversion
- AC or DC contact switching
- Compact size and low cost
- Terminal connection
- Easy to install and troubleshoot
- Highly resistant
- Maintenance-free
- Long lifespan
Conclusion
Relays are highly versatile and effective when an application requires switching from high to low current (or vice versa) within the same circuit. It is important to source high-quality relays of the type and size needed as per requirement.