instructables
Latching Relay Module.
by govindanunni
In electronics, a device is said to be a latching device
if it maintains any particular fixed state even after
removal of the input signal. The same also applies for
electronic/electromechanical relays. Basically the
electromechanical relays that are used today are of
two types:
1. Non-Latching Relay : These relays are most widely
used where energy consumption is basically not an
issue.This type relay(s) comes back to its original
state once the input signal is removed.
2. Latching Relay : These relays are mostly used in
automobiles and are rarely used for basic prototyping
needs.
Most of the relays which we use today are
monostable relays, that means it has only one stable
state and so it is called non-latching relays. You must
have heard about N.O (Normally Open) and N.C
(Normally Closed) terminals of a basic
Latching Relay Module.: Page 1
electromechanical relay. However these terminals
which are present over the relay show that the
electronic relay which we are using has only one
stable state.
In this instructable I will show you how to use a non-
latching relay as a latching bistable relay by
designing a simple electronic module which is
powered by an external power source. One can use
this module for many other projects and it's
intentionally made portable so that one can easily
carry it around. Moreover it has many other useful
features which provides it many additional
functionalities.
To get a detailed idea of the working please watch
the above video or click on the link below:
Latching Relay Module Video
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_PtEOU1iaw

Step 1: Gather the required components and tools.

All the tools and components used to make this module can be easily bought from nearby local electronic shops.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED:

1x Small Size Perforated Circuit Board

1x 3 PIN PCB Mount Screw Terminal
1x 5V-DC 240V, 50-60Hz, 5A SPDT Relay
3x BC547 NPN Transistor
2x Small LEDs (Different colors are recommended.)
2x 330ohms Resistors
2x Momentary Push Button Switches (Different colors are recommended.)
1x 1N4007 General Purpose PN Junction Diode
1x NE555 Timer IC
4x Male Header Pins
3x 10Kohms resistors
2x 15Kohms resistors

TOOLS REQUIRED:

Soldering Iron
Soldering Lead Wire
Soldering Flux
Multimeter with Probes
A strong Adhesive

Latching Relay Module.: Page 2

Step 2: The Circuit Diagram
The above shown picture is the circuit diagram of the
relay module. All connection of components have to
be done in exact same manner as shown in the
picture.
The above circuit is an implementation of the NE555
timer IC as a Latch or 1-Bit Memory Cell. The Set
(ON) and Reset (OFF) function of the attached relay
can be controlled by either using the momentary push
buttons as switches or it can be controlled via 5V
logic inputs from the SET or RESET pin sides.
The the type of latch that we are using here is SR
latch.
In the circuit diagram the pin jack J1 refers to the
power inputs and logic controls of the module,
whereas the pin jack J2 refers to the 3-PIN screw
terminal outputs from the relay.
Latching Relay Module.: Page 3
The following are the inputs required for functioning of
module:
VCC - 5V DC (You can take it from a USB port)
GND - Negetive or GROUND connection.
SET INPUT - Preferably Greater than 0V to turn the
relay ON
RESET INPUT - Preferably Greater than 0V to turn
the relay OFF
NOTE*: The SET signal and RESET signal should
not be supplied at the same time, if done so, it will
change the state of the relay to OFF state by default .
Step 3: Placing Of Components

One may follow his or her own way to place the components on the perforated board. However the procedure that
I followed has been explained as follows:

1. Start with the screw terminal and the relay. First place the screw terminal at one of the ends of the
perforated board and glue it to the board by using the strong adhesive if needed.
2. Then place the relay carefully. Middle terminal of the relay will mostly not align to the holes of the
perforated board. I recommend not to forcibly align relay to the circuit board. Use a screwdriver or
some kind of drilling machine to enlarge the hole and then install the relay.
3. Place the diode right next to the coil side of the relay. This diode acts as a Flyback diode in this
circuit.
4. The gradually step by step place all the other components and arrange it in such a way that only a
minimum traces of solder would be required to connect the terminals.

Latching Relay Module.: Page 4

Step 4: Soldering Process and Testing
1. First solder the relay's terminals to the Screw
Terminal. Remember to make thick traces of solder
for this step because sometimes the relay may need
to bear heavy loads. During heavy load applications,
the solder joints may melt down due to heat.
2. Then solder rest of the components to the circuit
board. If cross over conditions arise, use small
insulated wires to join the terminals.
Latching Relay Module.: Page 5
3. Once the soldering processes is completed, check
for continuity using the multimeter.
4. After continuity testing go for actual testing of the
module with 5V as input and connect any electrical
load to the relay terminals.
5. To avoid the risk of electric shock or short circuit,
you may put on an insulation tape at the base of the
relay terminals. (OPTIONAL)
Step 5: Final Pinout and Layout Diagram
1. SET BUTTON - This switch is blue colored and it is
used to turn the relay to ON state. The relay will
continue to be in ON state even after the force is
removed from the Blue button until and unless the
Reset button is pressed or reset signal is provided to
the module.
2. RESET BUTTON - This switch is red colored and it
is used to turn the relay back to OFF position.
3. VCC - The positive 5V supply must be given to this
terminal for working of the module.
4. GND - The ground terminal(s) of any input(s)
should be connected to this terminal.
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5. SET Input - This pin if applied will a positive
voltage will turn the relay ON.
6. RESET Input - If a positive voltage is applied to
this pin then it will bring the relay back to it's original
OFF state.
7. GREEN LED - This is the power indicator LED
which glows when VCC and Ground terminals are
connected to a 5V power supply.
8. BLUE LED - This LED shows the status of the
relay. It glows when the relay is ON and turns off
when the relay is OFF.
Step 6: Using the module with board mounted switches.

The SET and RESET buttons present on the module provides manual control of the relay.
These buttons can also be used simultaneously with the control input signals that come from the SET and RESET
terminals.

Step 7: Implementation of the module with a microcontroller.

This module can also be controlled by using any
microcontrollers. One has to only connect the SET
and RESET input terminals of the module to the
digital outputs of the microcontroller with a common
ground.
1. In the above shown pictures of this step, I have
connected the relay module to a NodeMCU and
configured pin numbers D1 and D2 as its outputs.
2. Then by the help of blynk application I controlled
the ON and OFF functionality of the relay module
wirelessly over Wi-Fi.

Step 8: Using the module as a touch switch.

The relay module can also be used as a touch switch.This is because BC547 transistor easily turns ON even with
a small base current. So even a small static charge of our body can be applied to the base terminal of these
transistors to control the ON and OFF functionality of the relay module.
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Step 9: Advantages & Conclusion
ADVANTAGES:
The advantages of this relay module as compared to
the conventional relay module are as follows:
1. Unlike the normal relay modules which mostly work
under specific logic input voltage such as 5V or 3.3V,
this relay module can accept a wide range of input
voltage or current signals to control the switching
action.
2. The latch mechanism of switching is usually used
in controlling circuits which have unstable (pulsating
DC) or time varying input signals.
3. Wide range of operating voltage- One can easily
use this module with any relays which have coil
voltages starting from 5V to 18V. Depending upon the
Latching Relay Module.: Page 8
coil voltage, one can supply the VCC voltage
accordingly.
4. The state of the relay is stored even after the
control input signals are removed.
CONCLUSION:
This relay module just provides a new way to control
the relays. Not only this can be used to control
electromechanical relays but also it can be used to
control solid state relays.
Basically this relay module is an upgrade over the
existing relay modules and provides various features
and functionalities.