What's a relay do?
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Okay, so I'm a little lost here...
What exactly does a relay do? I'm wiring up a neon light system for the interior of my Max, and people have suggested that I use a relay instead of a direct wire with a toggle switch. How come? Is it for equal power distribution, or what?
What exactly does a relay do? I'm wiring up a neon light system for the interior of my Max, and people have suggested that I use a relay instead of a direct wire with a toggle switch. How come? Is it for equal power distribution, or what?
#2
Originally posted by 3.0LMaxSE
Okay, so I'm a little lost here...
What exactly does a relay do? I'm wiring up a neon light system for the interior of my Max, and people have suggested that I use a relay instead of a direct wire with a toggle switch. How come? Is it for equal power distribution, or what?
Okay, so I'm a little lost here...
What exactly does a relay do? I'm wiring up a neon light system for the interior of my Max, and people have suggested that I use a relay instead of a direct wire with a toggle switch. How come? Is it for equal power distribution, or what?
check out my page (link in my sig) in the how-to section there is a thing on relays and basic applications
#3
A relay can be used to isolate to different circuits. It's also better to run 50ma of current through a switch than it is to run 20-30amps of current through a switch.
Also, there tends to be less electrical arcing of using a relay (which also contains the arcing) over a plain switch.
-V
Also, there tends to be less electrical arcing of using a relay (which also contains the arcing) over a plain switch.
-V
#4
Originally posted by 3.0LMaxSE
Okay, so I'm a little lost here...
What exactly does a relay do? I'm wiring up a neon light system for the interior of my Max, and people have suggested that I use a relay instead of a direct wire with a toggle switch. How come? Is it for equal power distribution, or what?
Okay, so I'm a little lost here...
What exactly does a relay do? I'm wiring up a neon light system for the interior of my Max, and people have suggested that I use a relay instead of a direct wire with a toggle switch. How come? Is it for equal power distribution, or what?
For general information about relays please refer to the Chilton repair manual (page 6-3) or the Haynes repair manual (page 12-3).
#5
Originally posted by «§»Craig B«§»
one application is so that it can beef up the power by wiring a signal directly to 12V but having the switched signal a lower voltage ...
one application is so that it can beef up the power by wiring a signal directly to 12V but having the switched signal a lower voltage ...
Power equals Volts times Amps. How does having the switched signal a lower voltage help you beef up the power? It would seem to be just the opposite.
#6
More information please
Originally posted by vmok
...Also, there tends to be less electrical arcing of using a relay (which also contains the arcing) over a plain switch. ...
...Also, there tends to be less electrical arcing of using a relay (which also contains the arcing) over a plain switch. ...
I think arcing is related to the nature of the switched load (inductive load more likely to arc than pure resistive load), to the mechanical design of the switch (slow opening more likely to arc than snap opening), and to the physical environment of the switch contacts (surrounded by an ionizable gas more likely to arc than if surrounded by an inert gas). None of these factors automatically favors a relay over a plain switch.
#7
Originally posted by Daniel B. Martin
I have not seen this application. Can you give an example?
Power equals Volts times Amps. How does having the switched signal a lower voltage help you beef up the power? It would seem to be just the opposite.
I have not seen this application. Can you give an example?
Power equals Volts times Amps. How does having the switched signal a lower voltage help you beef up the power? It would seem to be just the opposite.
sorry, I meant to say increase the voltage
I know it can also be used the same way for the current like the example you gave, but I was just trying to simplify it because people tend to think more in terms of volts rather than amps
and yeah, I know P=Vi=dw/dt
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AaronL
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
15
11-15-2020 11:52 AM
BrandonCause
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
4
09-14-2015 10:41 PM