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Chapter 4 - Relays

The document discusses electromechanical relays (EMRs) and solid-state relays (SSRs), highlighting their functions and differences. EMRs use an electromagnet to operate switch contacts and have a finite lifespan due to mechanical wear and electrical arcing. SSRs, which have no moving parts, offer advantages such as immunity to shock and vibration, but may face issues like false triggering and limited contact arrangements.

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Sanzida Alam
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90 views5 pages

Chapter 4 - Relays

The document discusses electromechanical relays (EMRs) and solid-state relays (SSRs), highlighting their functions and differences. EMRs use an electromagnet to operate switch contacts and have a finite lifespan due to mechanical wear and electrical arcing. SSRs, which have no moving parts, offer advantages such as immunity to shock and vibration, but may face issues like false triggering and limited contact arrangements.

Uploaded by

Sanzida Alam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

IPE 301

Automation and Control Engineering

Chapter 4
Relays
Electromechanical Relays
The electromechanical relay (EMR) is a device that uses an electromagnet
to provide the force to close (or open) switch contacts, in other words, an
electrically powered switch.
Electromechanical Relays

•When the electromagnet (coil) is energized, it pulls down on the


spring-loaded armature.
•Relay contacts are described as being one of two kinds: normally open
contacts (NO), which are open in the unenergized state, and normally
closed contacts (NC), which are closed in the unenergized state.
•Relays have a finite life. First, because the relay is a mechanical device,
the moving parts eventually wear out, and second, the electrical
contacts can become pitted because of arcing. The contact wear is very
dependent on the electric current that is being switched.
Solid-State Relays
A solid-state relay (SSR) is a purely solid-state device that has replaced the
EMR in many applications, particularly for turning on and off AC loads such
as motors.
Physically, the SSR is packaged in a box (about the same size as an EMR),
with four electrical terminals. The two input terminals are analogous to the
coil of an EMR, and the two output terminals are analogous to the contacts
of the EMR.
Solid-State Relays
The input voltage drives an LED, and the light from the LED turns on a
photo transistor, which in turn turns on the triac (a solid-state switching
device). The LED electrically isolates the input and output sections of
the SSR.
Solid-state relays have a number of important advantages over
electromechanical relays. Having no moving parts means that
(theoretically) they will never wear out and makes them practically
immune to shock and vibration. Also, because of the built-in
electronics, they can be driven with a low-voltage source regardless of
the output-current capability.
The main disadvantages of the SSR are the following:
(1) They can be “false triggered” by electrical noise;
(2) Although they are long-lasting, unlike an EMR they do not fail
predictably;
(3) Contact arrangements are limited, so they may not work for all relay
applications.

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