Priniciples of Electromechanical Relay Operation


3.17 Winding Circuit Design

Relays of the AC type are not ordinarily used, nor are they particularly well suited, for complex switching circuits or for applications having critical timing requirements. Usually the contacts of these relays are required only to open and close reliably for the expected life under the specified load conditions.

The information that is most essential in the application of ac relays is the minimum voltage at which the relay will operate reliably. Assurance also is required that the relay will release dependably. Usually the inspection and evaluation requirements of the type discussed under the attributes method (Chapter 4) will offer this assurance, provided the requirements are representative of the worst circuit conditions. Ability of the relay to withstand prolonged energization periods must also be considered.