Information Sheet

Control Contact
Relay
Relays are switches that open and close circuits electromechanically or electronically. Relays control one
electrical circuit by opening and closing contacts in another circuit. As relay diagrams show, when a relay contact
is normally open (NO), there is an open contact when the relay is not energized. When a relay contact is
Normally Closed (NC), there is a closed contact when the relay is not energized. In either case, applying electrical
current to the contacts will change their state.
Relays are generally used to switch smaller currents in a control circuit and do not usually control power
consuming devices except for small motors and Solenoids that draw low amps. Nonetheless, relays can "control"
larger voltages and amperes by having an amplifying effect because a small voltage applied to a relays coil can
result in a large voltage being switched by the contacts.

Basic Parts of a Relay

Relay Contacts

The relay's switch connections are usually labelled COM, NC and NO:
 COIL = Where power supply is being connected to energize the relay contact.
 COM = Common, always connect to this, it is the moving part of the switch.
 NC = Normally Closed, COM is connected to this when the relay coil is off.
 NO = Normally Open, COM is connected to this when the relay coil is on.

 8 Pin Relay Contacts

Coil Contact Common Contact Normally Open (NO) Normally Close (NC)
2 1 1 with 3 1 with 4
7 8 8 with 6 8 with 5

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
 14 Pin Relay Contacts

Relay Coil Contact Common Contact Normally Open (NO) Normally Close (NC)
13 9 9 with 5 9 with 1
14 10 10 with 6 10 with 2
11 11 with 7 11 with 3
12 12 with 8 12 with 4

Contactor
Basically, a contactor is an electrical switching device. It is used for switching an electrical circuit on and
off. It is a special type of relay, but there is a basic difference between the contactor and a relay. The contactor is
mostly used in applications where higher current carrying capacity is involved, while the relays are used for lower
current applications. Contactors are compact and can be field mounted easily. Usually, these devices feature
multiple contacts. The contacts are mostly normally open, and they provide operating power to the load
whenever the contactor coil is powered. Contactors are popularly used with electric motors.
There are different types of contactors, and the various types have their own sets of features,
applications, and capabilities. Contactors can take over a vast range of currents, ranging from a few to thousands
of amperes, and voltage from 25VDC to thousands of volts. Furthermore, these devices come in various sizes,
from small hand-held dimensions to large sizes measuring up to a meter or a yard on one side.

Contactor Contacts

Coil Contact Main Contact Normally Open (NO) Normally Close (NC)
A1 L1(R/1) with T1(U/2) 43 with 44 30 and 31
A2 L2(S/3) with T2(V/4) Note: NO and NC contact number is not standard, it
L3(T/5) with T3(W/6) might change depend on brand and model.

Contactor Coil
Main Contact A1 and A2
Line Side
L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5)

Auxiliary NO Contact
43 and 44
Auxiliary NC Contact
30 and 31

Main Contact
Load Side
T1(U/2), T2(V/4), T3(W/6)

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
Thermal Overload
Thermal overload relays are protective devices. They are designed to cut power if the motor draws too
much current for an extended period of time. To accomplish this, thermal overload relays contain a normally
closed (NC) relay. When excessive current flows through the motor circuit, the relay opens due to increased
motor temperature, relay temperature, or sensed overload current, depending on the relay type.
Thermal overload relays are similar to circuit breakers in construction and use, but most circuit breakers
differ in that they interrupt the circuit if overload occurs even for an instant. Thermal overload relays are
conversely designed to measure a motor's heating profile; therefore, overload must occur for an extended period
before the circuit is interrupted
Line Side
Thermal Overload Ampere Setting
L1(R/1), L2(S/3), L3(T/5)
NO Contact
98 and 97

Reset
NC Contact
95 and 96

Load Side
T1(U/2), T2(V/4), T3(W/6)

Coil Contact Main Contact Normally Open (NO) Normally Close (NC)
L1(R/1) with T1(U/2) 98 with 97 95 and 96
L2(S/3) with T2(V/4) Note: NO and NC contact number is not standard, it
L3(T/5) with T3(W/6) might change depend on brand and model.

Time Delay Relay/Timer

Some relays are constructed with a kind of “shock absorber” mechanism attached to the armature which
prevents immediate, full motion when the coil is either energized or de-energized. This addition gives the relay
the property of time-delay actuation.
Time-delay relays can be constructed to delay armature motion on coil energization, de-energization, or
both. Time-delay relay contacts must be specified not only as either normally-open or normally-closed but
whether the delay operates in the direction of closing or in the direction of opening.

8 Pin Time Delay Relay / Timer

Coil Contact Common Normally Normally

Contact Open (NO) Close (NC)
2 1 1 with 3 1 with 4
7 8 8 with 6 8 with 5

Coil Contact Common Normally Normally

Contact Open (NO) Close (NC)
13 9 9 with 5 9 with 1
14 12 12 with 8 12 with 4

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez
Magnetic Motor Starter
Motor starters are one of the major inventions for motor control applications. As the name suggests, a
starter is an electrical device which controls the electrical power for starting a motor. These electrical devices are
also used for the purpose of stopping, reversing and protecting electric motors.
The following are the two major components of a starter:
 Contactor: The main function of the contactor is to control the electric current to the motor. A contactor
can make or break power to the circuit.
 Overload Relay: Overheating and drawing too much current can cause the motor to burn out and
become
 practically useless. Overload relays prevent this from happening and protect the motor from any potential
danger.
A starter is an assembly of these two components, which allows it to turn on or off an electric motor or motor
controlled electrical equipment. The starter also provides the necessary overload protection to the circuit.

Contactor

Thermal Overload Relay

Date Developed: Document No. MECH=CBLM001

July 2020
Mechatronics Servicing NC II Develop by: Revision No. 00
Rommel A. Cortez