Section 1.

UNDERSTAND
RELAYS, CONTACTORS
 STUDENTS LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of the lesson, students will be able

To draw symbol and structure, to explain the

operation and application of relay.

To draw symbol and structure, to explain the

operation and application of contactor.

Relay is a electromechanical device, it consists of electrical
part as well as mechanical elements.

The coil in relay is the only electrical part.

The mechanical part is the metal frame, the spring, the

armature and the contact
When no current flows through the coil (de-energized state ), the
armature is making contact with upper fixed contact point.thus it is called
normally close contact (N.C.)
The lower contact is not making contact with armature and it is termed
normally open contact (N.O.) .

When a rated d.c. supply is connected across the coil, current flows in the
coil, produces a magnetic force to pull the armature downward. Thus the
armature is breaking from the upper contact but making contact with the
lower contact point.
The spring will return the armature to its normal position once the relay is
de-energized.
• A relay will usually have only one coil but may have any
number of different contacts.

• The contact can be single pole single throw (SPST), single

pole double throw (SPDT) double pole single throw (DPST) ,
double poles double throw (DPDT) or more than 2 poles
double throw.
Electrical symbol for relay Relay ladder diagram symbol
Pole : the number of isolated
set of contact

single pole(SP): 1 set of

contact only

double poles(DP): 2 isolated set of

contacts
prepared by: Tan Ee Chin (PUO)
Throw : the number of isolated
circuit for the set of
contact

Single throw(ST): 1 circuit

only

Double throw(DT): 2 isolated circuits for the set

of contact

prepared by: Tan Ee Chin (PUO)

Related
Questions
Q1. Explain each of the relay below in the
form of symbol drawing
Q.2 Name these type of relay.

A B
Q3. Type of relay can be determined by its pole and throw

 Explain Pole and Throw

 Illustrate a symbol of DPST relay

Q4. Explain briefly the operation of relay

Relay applications
•As interfaces between control circuits and
load circuits
•For separation of direct current and
alternating current circuits

Load circuit (A.C)

Control circuit (d.c. )
•As control circuits When push button is released,
motor stop.

Wiring diagram

Relay ladder diagram

•As control circuits (with holding circuit )
When push button is released,
motor still running. ( holding
but motor can’t stop )

Wiring diagram

Relay ladder diagram

•As control circuits (with holding circuit , stop button )
Holding and can be stop by stop
button

Wiring diagram

Relay ladder diagram

CONTACTOR
power Contacts

NO Power
NC
auxiliary Contacts
auxiliary
Contacts
Contacts

power Contacts

Electromagnetic
coil
• A contactor is an electrically controlled
switch used for switching a power
circuit, similar to a relay except with
higher current ratings.

• It has a set of main contact and optional auxiliary low current

contacts, Main contacts are almost normally open type.
• It is usually operated by AC voltage applied across it
magnetic coil.
• Other than the power circuit contacts for connecting the
controlled device such as motor to the 3 phase lines, it also
has auxiliary contacts ( consist of NC and NO type )for
building control circuit.
Differences between a relay and a contactor .
Contactor
• Used in control and power
circuit
• Fast switching
• Required for High load(high
current)
• Contactor is designed so
that it can be repaired while
it is not normally done in
the case of relay
Relay
• Used in control circuit only
• Slow in switching
• Required for low load (low
current)
• Relay is always cheaper
than a contactor
Related Questions
Q1. Referring to Figure B1, explain the basic operation of the
Contactor .

Q2. Explain the difference between contactor and relay.

Q3. draw the symbol of contactor.

Application of contactor
Controlling a high current pump by PLC
through a contactor

Since PLC output only capable of

handling low current, a contactor
is needed to interface the pump to
PLC

The output of PLC is connected in

series with the coil to form a low
current switching circuit.

The contacts of the contactor are

connected in series with the pump
motor to form a high-current
switching circuit.
Application of contactor
DOL(Direct-On-Line) 3 phase motor starter system

L1 L2 L3

Power circuit

OL OL

Control circuit
M
N
 Application of contactor
3 phase motor forward reverse control

Power circuit Control circuit

Forward: A1 , B2, C3

Reverse : A2, B1, C3
Application
OL heater coil

OL contact

OL
overload
protection
relay
Application
OL heater coil

OL contact

The contact
If heater
the
themotor of the
coilsdraws
contactors
are OL relayinthen
excessive
de-energize
connected cuts
current
and
series off the main,
from
with
the supplywinding
temperature
disconnects
the motor tothe
on the contactor
themotor
heaterfrom coils
raises in
theand the
maintriggers the OL
control
supply circuit.
relay
 Application

ContactorM1
Contactor M1isis
energized
latched through
its’ own contact
M1.
Contactor M2 is
latched through
Motor can beWhen
When stopped
forwardbybutton
forward button
is is its’ own contact
pressing this stop button
release
pushed M2.
Power contacts of M1
close, connect A,B,C to
1,2,3 respectively When reverseThisbutton
contactisopens
pushed to prevent motor
and releasedfrom changing to reverse mode when
reverse button is pressed. This
precaution is called interlock
 Application

This contact opens to prevent motor

from changing to forward mode when
forward button is pressed. This
Power contacts of M2 precaution is called interlock
close, connect A,B,C to
2,1,3 respectively
Related Questions
Q1.Explain with the aid of drawing on power and control circ uit
the operation of direct on line (DOL) control of 3 phase motor
using contactor.

Q2. By using the concept of self-holding/latching circuit, construct

the relay ladder Logic (RLL) control circuit, which will activate a 3-
phase motor to run when the push button switch/sensor (START)
is activated. Operation of the control circuit will be stopped
immediately when another switch/sensor (STOP) is activated.
prepared by: Tan Ee Chin (PUO)