TRADE TECH 131

BASIC MOTOR CONTROL

RELAY

Answer the following questions:

1. When a relay control coil is de-energized, or relaxed, what determines the
position of the armature?

When the control coil is de-energized, again, the magnetic field holding the
armature against the core will dissipate, because there is no current flow in the
control coil, and the spring tension will return the armature to the de-energized,
or relaxed, position, with an air gap between the core and armature.

2. When a relay control coil is energized, what determines the position of the
armature?

When the control coil is energized, the resulting magnetic lines of flux
created by the current flow in the control coil windings will follow the path of
best permeability around the iron yoke of the device. When the air gap between
the core and armature is encountered by the magnetic flux, the armature will be
drawn to the core (against the tension of the spring), to create a path of increased
permeability for the magnetic lines of flux to follow.

3. What is the minimum electrical current called that is necessary to create the lines
of magnetic flux to mechanically actuate a relay? Give both names.

The minimum current required to actuate a device is called the pull-in

current, and sometimes it is called “take-up” current.
4. What two forces must the magnetic field overcome to actuate the relay?

The magnetic forces must overcome the tension of the spring holding the
armature in the de-energized position, and any friction losses in the device.

5. What is the current called at which the energized relay armature will succumb to
either gravity or spring tension and allow the armature to assume the de-
energized position? Give both names.

The current level where the armature returns to the de-energized position is
called the dropout current and is sometimes called the “let-go” current.

6. What are the names of the two relay electrical circuits?

The two relay electrical circuits are called power circuit and control circuit.

7. What is the term used to document relay contact configurations on all ladder and
print diagrams?

The generic term sometimes used to document relay contact configurations

on ladder and print diagrams is called “Callout”.

8. What are two names sometimes used for the normally open contact
configuration function?

The normally open contact configuration is sometimes called the enable

function or the Form A configuration.
9. What are two names sometimes used for the normally closed contact
configuration function?

The normally closed contact configuration is sometimes called the “inhibit”

function or the Form B configuration.

10. What is the name of the contact configuration when both normally open and
Normally closed contacts are combined on a single pole? Give all three names.

The name of the contact configuration when both the normally open and
normally closed contacts are combined on a single pole to form what is known
as the changeover configuration, sometimes called the transfer configuration or
the Form C configuration.

11. What is the purpose of having domed relay contacts sweep across the faces
of each other every time they seat?

Relay contacts are domed to improve the contact resistance by mechanically

cleaning the contact faces of oxidation, dirt, and corrosion every time they make
contact.
12. What term refers to the number of separate power circuits that can be
switched by a relay?

The term “pole” refers to the number of separate power circuits that can be
switched.

13. What term refers to the number of states in which the power circuits of the
relay can be switched?

The term “throw” refers to the number of states that the power circuits can
be switched into.