Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and computer-based controllers are great for handling logic and data-collection tasks for industrial controls. But when it comes to driving motors, heaters, ...

As an electric motor’s rotor turns in close proximity to the motor windings, a bucking voltage or back electromotive force (EMF) is generated. The back EMF (BEMF) generated across the start winding is ...

Have you ever needed to power a 12-volt relay in a circuit but only had 6 or 9 volts available? This simple circuit will solve that problem. It allows 12-volt relays to be operated from 6 or 9 volts, ...

Over the years, control relays of various types have been used by the hundreds — even thousands — to control nearly every function in commercial and industrial processes. Today, many of those ...

A simple ohmmeter is all that is needed to troubleshoot a potential relay. After taking all of the connecting wires off of the potential relay, measure the resistance across the 1 and 2 terminals. The ...

This chapter covers representative general-purpose relays used in the control circuits of most industrial, commercial, and consumer products. Relay names and terminology are in accordance with ...

No matter what the application is, when a definite-purpose solution is required, time delay relays (TDRs) can provide simple, reliable, and economical control. Adjusting the delay time is often as ...

If used correctly, a reed relay is a superbly reliable device. The switch contacts are hermetically sealed, so they don’t suffer from oxidization or contamination in the same way as an open ...

Relays are clunky, switch slowly, have contact bounce, and make noise, both acoustically and electromagnetically, so why are they still used? Relays are clunky, switch slowly, have contact bounce, and ...

What is a relay? What is zero voltage switching? How to create a zero-crossing relay driver with a simple external circuit. A relay is a device that allows for a smaller electronic switch to control a ...

Last column, I wrote about various applications where fire alarm relays could be used to integrate a commercial fire alarm system with other electrical systems at a ...