Relays and drivers

This category includes relays and controllers commonly used to construct safe and efficient structures based on electrical installations. The first of the listed types of equipment is used to open and close the circuit when the appropriate input conditions are met. Controllers, on the other hand, are responsible for supervising the operation of a specific electrical device.

Construction of relays

Relays are electrical devices that are designed to cause a sudden change of state in an output circuit (or several circuits) under certain conditions. In order for the relay to close or open the circuit, it must read a change in a certain physical quantity, e.g. voltage or current. What's important – exceeding the programmed limit value changes the output signal in steps, usually “switch on” on “off” and vice versa.

In the broadly understood industry, electromagnetic relays are most often used. They are made of a coil and contacts. The whole mechanism is based on applying voltage to the coil. This is professionally referred to as tuning. The current flowing in the turns of the coil creates an electromagnetic field, thanks to which the steel armature is attracted, which closes or opens the appropriate contact. If the coil input voltage disappears, the return spring pushes the contacts away from each other, which is tantamount to disconnecting the circuit.

Relays – contact types

Contacts, which are the basis of the construction of relays, come in three different forms. so-called NO contacts, marked with the letter Z, are characterized by the fact that they do not conduct current before applying voltage to the coil, and after the coils are activated, they close. Their opposite are NC contacts (marked with the letter R), which by default conduct current and need power to the coil to break the circuit. Most often, however, you can meet with changeover contacts (marked with the letter P). It is a kind of hybrid of NC and NO contacts. In simple terms - after the coil is activated, this contact switches between two states.

Types of relays

In addition to the aforementioned electromagnetic relays, there are a number of other types of this type of equipment. For example, static models are commonly used, commonly referred to as semiconductor relays (or SSR relays). Their operation is based on the use of electronic, magnetic, optical or other elements, excluding moving elements.

In addition, there are also time relays, the mechanism of which is activated at a certain moment. Thanks to them, it is possible to use solutions in the form of delayed switching, impulsing or falling.

There are also special types of relays, used for more advanced work. Priority models can serve as an example. They monitor the continuous current in the priority circuit. At the same time, they allow you to limit the connection power when one of the devices (priority receivers) with high power is activated. They do this by disabling a non-priority receiver.

In addition, safety relays can be distinguished. They are intended for safety-relevant device control systems. Yet another type of hardware are latching relays, colloquially referred to as pulse or bistable. They are characterized by the fact that after changing the state under the influence of the input quantity, the device remains in the changed mode even after the end of this action.

There are also relays on the market that contain a permanent magnet, which provides additional magnetic force, which allows you to reduce energy consumption. The supply quantity must have the correct polarity.

When choosing relays, you should also pay attention to the fact that individual models may differ not only in their primary function, but also in their construction. This is mainly about the number of contacts in the hardware. The most common types are single-contact, two-contact and four-contact.

Use of relays

Relays are used in virtually every machine or control system where electricity is present. This equipment is extremely often used in the industrial and construction industries. Relays are very important equipment of systems responsible for the functioning of the so-called smart home.

What are drivers?

In industrial automation, controllers are independent systems that are responsible for supervising the operation of an electrical device. They are sometimes called controllers. They improve the functioning of a given system and optimize its operation.

Relays & Drivers – offer of the el12.pl store

The el12.pl online store offers a wide selection of relays and controllers. Our assortment includes various types of this type of equipment. You can find with us e.g. electromagnetic relays (supporting rated voltage in the range of 12-690V and rated current in the range of 0.3-30A), time relays, modern photoelectric relays, overcurrent relays, as well as multifunctional relays. In addition, we offer KNX/EIB controllers, overcurrent controllers, temperature sensors and controllers, timers, as well as minor automation components.

On el12.pl we offer accessories coming only from reputable manufacturers of this type of assortment. These are models of relays and controllers of brands such as Eaton, ETI Polam, F&F, Finder, Noark, Relpol, Schrack Technik and Zamel. We have relays that support the voltage affecting the coil in the range of 12, 230 AC, 24, 230, 24 DC V. In addition, it is possible to select accessories with various primary functions, including:

• 0NO 0NC 1CO
• 0NO 0NC 2CO
• 0NO 0NC 3CO
• 0NO 3NC 0CO
• 1NO 0NC 0CO
• 2NO 0NC 0CO
• 3NO 0NC 0CO

Orders are processed within three working days. The exception are products that are currently not available in our warehouse. In such cases, shipping may take up to several weeks. Information about the expected time of purchase completion is on the card of each product, next to the technical specification.