General-Purpose Relay

Your professional general relay supplier

Our company has been engaged in the manufacturing and production of relays for over 20 years

The limited company was established in 2000 and has over 23 years of experience in the relay industry. The company is a modern professional enterprise that researches, develops, produces, and sells relays. We have a mature foreign trade transaction model and have exported to over 200 countries and regions.

High quality assurance

The product has a CE certificate and provides a 12-24 month warranty service

affordable price

We will offer you the most competitive price based on the quantity you need

qualified staff

Our production staff have undergone professional training to ensure product quality

advanced technology

We now have fully automated production workshops and semi automated testing equipment.

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Definition of General-Purpose Relay

A relay is an electrical switch that can be used to control a circuit using a small amount of power. Relays come in many sizes and shapes, but the most common type is the general-purpose relay. These relays have applications ranging from simple household electronics to complex industrial machinery. General-purpose relays have a variety of uses, but the most common use is to control a circuit using a small amount of power. For example, a relay can be used to turn on a light bulb using a small amount of power from a battery. Relays can also be used to control larger appliances and machinery, such as air conditioners and lathes. While general-purpose relays are the most common type of relay, there are many other types of relays used for specific applications.

Features of General-Purpose Relay

Switching Capacity
This refers to the maximum amount of electrical current and voltage that the relay can handle.

Contact Resistance
This refers to the resistance of the contacts when they are closed. Low contact resistance is desirable for high-current applications.

Bounce Time
Bounce time refers to the time it takes for the contacts to stabilize after closing or opening. It is important in high-speed switching applications.

Operating Time
This refers to the time it takes for the general-purpose relay to activate or deactivate after the coil is energized or de-energized.

Release Time
This refers to the time it takes for the contacts to open after the coil is de-energized.

Life Expectancy
This refers to the expected number of operations before the relay fails. It is also known as mechanical or electrical life.

Insulation Resistance
This refers to the resistance between the coil and the contacts. High insulation resistance is desirable to prevent unwanted electrical discharge.

Dielectric Strength
This refers to the ability of the relay to withstand high voltage without breaking down.

Ambient Temperature
This refers to the temperature range within which the general-purpose relay can operate properly. Some relays are designed to operate in extreme temperatures.

Shock and Vibration
This refers to the ability of the relay to withstand mechanical shock and vibration without damage. General-purpose relays used in industrial or automotive environments typically have to be rated for vibration and shock.

How Does General-Purpose Relay Work

A general-purpose relay is an electrical switch that can be used to control various electronic device functions. General-purpose relays are typically used in applications that require switching small currents, such as home appliances, automotive electronics, and office equipment. Relays work by using an electromagnet to open or close a switch. When the switch is closed, the circuit is complete and the current can flow. When the switch is opened, the circuit is broken and the current cannot flow.

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Advantages of General-Purpose Relay

Cost-Effective
General purpose relays offer various benefits over their counterparts. The main advantage of these relays is that they are cost-effective and do not increase the cost of the device, like control panels and PCBs, to which they are added. They also provide extra savings by preventing electrical faults and system failures that can be extremely costly.

Ease to Use
Another great thing about general purpose relays is that they provide ease of use. They are compact, ensuring that the devices they are housed in can also be smaller and lightweight. General purpose relays come with DIN rail mounting and screw mounting options, and users can use whichever option suits their needs. This versatility also makes the wiring and installation process more straightforward.

Flexibility
Furthermore, general purpose relays come with color codes that represent the specific purpose they are suitable for. This makes them quite helpful in troubleshooting control circuits due to quick and easy testing. General purpose relays also provide convenience by removing the need for high-capacity and complex wiring. As a result, this saves space within the device, ensuring it isn't bulky and heavy. Since the wiring is more efficient, these relays also lead to savings in cost.

Types of General-Purpose Relay

General purpose relays come in various types, each with unique features that make them ideal for specific purposes. The main ones are the following:

Control Panel Relays
These types of general purpose relays come equipped with 1 to 4 poles. This makes them suitable for I/O applications and relay sequences. Some relays that fall in this category are control, IO, and latching relays.

Built-In Relays
These types of relays come built-in to devices which is where they get their name from. They are used to turn on load supplies inside and so come with a carry current that can go up to 40A. High-capacity relays are a type of built-in relay.

Work Saving Relays

These types of relays are used in programmable controllers for I/O applications. Typically, these are used for downsizing and saving work, which is where they get their name from. Some types of work saving relays are terminal relays and relay terminals.

Special Operations Relays

Certain applications require specific operations and features. This is where special operations relays are used which have the unique qualities required for these applications. Some applications where these relays are used are pump-stepping operations and alternative operations. Ratchet relays are a type of special operation relay.

PCB Relays

These are specialized relays that are mounted on the top of PCBs.

Applications of General-Purpose Relay

General-purpose relays are used in a wide variety of applications, some common examples include:

Automotive
General-purpose relays are used in cars and trucks for a wide range of applications such as lighting, fuel injection, ignition, and power windows.

Telecommunications
General-purpose relays are used in telephone exchanges and other telecommunications equipment for switching and routing signals.

Household Appliances
General-purpose relays are used in appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners for controlling motors and other components.

HVAC Systems
General-purpose relays are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for controlling motors and other electrical devices.

Computers and Electronic Devices
General-purpose relays are used in computers and other electronic devices for switching and routing signals, and for controlling power to various components.

Power Distribution
General-purpose relays are used in power distribution systems for applications such as overcurrent protection and load shedding.

Medical Equipment
General-purpose relays are used in medical equipment such as patient monitors, X-ray machines, and other medical imaging devices.

Safety Systems
General-purpose relays are used in safety systems such as fire alarms and security systems to control the operation of alarms and other safety devices.

Robotics
General-purpose relays are often used in robotic systems for controlling motors, power, and signals.

Industrial Control
General-purpose relays are used in industrial control systems for applications such as motor control, process control, and temperature control.

Components of General-Purpose Relay

Coil:The coil is an electromagnet that creates a magnetic field when energized by an electrical current. The coil is typically made of wire wound around a core, such as a bobbin or a core made of a ferromagnetic material.

Contacts:The contacts are the electrical terminals that control the flow of electricity through the circuit. Contacts can be normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC), or changeover (CO) depending on the design of the general-purpose relays.

Armature or Mover:The armature is the part of the general-purpose relay that is attracted to the coil's magnetic field and moves the contacts.

Yoke:The yoke is a metal frame that surrounds the coil and provides a path for the magnetic field.

Core:The core is part of the coil and acts as a magnetic path.

Housing:The housing is the outer shell of the general-purpose relay that protects the internal components.

Terminal:The terminal is a place where the general-purpose relay connects to the circuit

Spring:Spring is used to hold the contacts in a certain position or to return the armature back to its original position

Diode:Some relays have a diode to protect the coil from high voltage spikes caused when the contacts open.

Choosing the Right Relay: Power Relay vs. General Purpose Relay

Relays are essential components in various electrical and electronic applications, serving to control circuits by switching high-voltage or high-current loads. Two common types of relays are power relays and general-purpose relays, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

1.Power Relays vs. General Purpose Relays: What's the Difference?

Power Relays
Power relays, as the name suggests, are designed to handle high power loads, making them suitable for applications requiring higher current and voltage ratings. They are generally larger and built to withstand heavy-duty operations.
Selection Criteria for Power Relays
When choosing power relays, consider the following factors:

Load Requirements: Determine the current and voltage requirements of your application, ensuring that the relay can handle the load.
Environmental Conditions: Consider the operating environment, as power relays are built for durability and may be more suitable for harsh conditions.
Reliability: Assess the criticality of your application and select a relay with the appropriate level of reliability.

General Purpose Relays
General-purpose relays, on the other hand, are more versatile and can handle a wide range of applications with lower power requirements. They are compact, cost-effective, and suitable for various low- to medium-power tasks.
Selection Criteria for General Purpose Relays
For general-purpose relays, these criteria are essential:

Application Flexibility: Ensure the relay's specifications match your application's power requirements.
Space Constraints: Consider the available space, as general-purpose relays are more compact.
Cost Efficiency: Balance cost-effectiveness with the performance needed for your application.

2.Case Studies: When to Use Power Relays vs. General Purpose Relays

Case 1: Industrial Motor Control
For heavy-duty industrial motor control applications, where high current and voltage ratings are essential, power relays are the preferred choice due to their durability and reliability.
Case 2: Home Automation
In-home automation systems, where cost-efficiency and space constraints are significant factors, general-purpose relays are often suitable for tasks like controlling lighting, HVAC systems, or appliances.

How to Test a General-Purpose Relay

As general-purpose relays are mechanical devices, they can become faulty over time and it is essential to check whether a relay is working properly or not. If it is not working, then we have to immediately replace it with a new one. But how to test a general-purpose relay? There are different ways to check if a relay is working as expected or not.

How to Test a Relay with DC Power Supply?
In the first method, we will simply energize and de-energize the coil of the general-purpose relay and see if the armature is switching between the two terminals. Assuming a 12V relay, connect the coil terminals to a 12V DC Power Supply or a battery with a switch. If we close the switch, it completes the circuit and activates the coil. This should make the armature switch to Normally Open contact. If we open the switch, then the armature should go back to the Normally Closed contact. This is a simple method for testing relays, especially automotive relays as you readily have access to a 12V battery.

How to Test a Relay with a Circuit?
For the next method, we will build a small circuit using simple components and test if the general-purpose relay is working or not. This method is useful for relays used in circuits and PCBs but we can also test automotive relays as well. Once again assuming a 12V relay, if we supply 5V to the base of the transistor, it turns on and activates the coil. If the relay is working properly, the armature contacts switches position and light up the LED.

How to Test a Relay with a Multimeter?
Finally, we will see how to test a general-purpose relay with a multimeter. This is one of the easiest ways to test a relay. Take out the relay from the circuit or from the car. Put the multimeter in Resistance Measurement mode (Ohmmeter). If you have a manual ranging multimeter, put the range meter in minimum range (200Ω or similar value). Take the leads of the multimeter and connect them across the coil terminals of the relay. For a normal coil, the multimeter should read anywhere between 40Ω to 120Ω. If the coil is damaged i.e., it is open, the meter shows out of range and you have to replace the relay.
Another test we can do with the multimeter is the continuity between the three high-power contacts of the relay. When the relay is in a de-energized state, the COM terminal must be connected to Normally Closed (NC) terminal. But as soon as we energize the relay, the COM terminal switches and makes contact with the Normally Open terminal. So, to test this, put the multimeter in continuity mode and while the relay is not activated, connect the leads of the multimeter between the COM and NC terminals. The multimeter should start the buzzer if the relay contacts are okay. Now, energize the relay and test for continuity between COM and NO terminals. If the buzzer is activated in both cases, then the relay is well and good. But if any test fails, then it might be a faulty relay.

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Zhejiang QIANJI Relay Co., Ltd., China

The new factory covers an area of more than 8,000 square meters and a construction area of more than 15,000 square meters. With its absolute advantages in product quality and performance, the company has become a leader in the relay industry.

Professional team

Over 20 years of manufacturing and production of relays,

exported to over 200 countries and regions, with rich experience

Rest assured service

Professional consulting services to solve product selection issues.

Excellent quality received excellent feedback from customers

8000㎡

Factory area

100000+

Monthly production volume

2298

Annual orders

100%

Customer review rate

Certifications

Certificate obtained by QIANJI Relay Co., Ltd. in Zhejiang, China

High power relay CE-EMC M2021206C6675900

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Common Problems of General-Purpose Relay

Q: What is general-purpose relay?

A: A General Purpose Relay is a simple relay used for switching a large current on or off via the use of a low voltage circuit. This allows for a PLC (programmable logic controller) or other control systems to manage multiple relays and thus operate various higher voltage circuits. General-purpose relays come in normally closed (NC) or normally open (NO) configurations, meaning the circuit is either NC or NO when the circuit is de-energized. Once a low voltage current is passed through the control circuit the contacts will open on a NC relay or close on a NO relay to turn the corresponding higher voltage circuit on or off.

Q: What is the basic function of a general-purpose relay?

A: Relays are electromagnetic switches used to open or close electrical circuits. It is activated by the current flowing through the relay coil. This activates a magnetic field, which in turn closes or opens the switch. The basic function and purpose of any relay are to enable the switching function of any electronic device. The main function of relays is to protect electrical systems from overvoltage currents. It detects faults and isolates them by controlling high currents. It isolates low-voltage circuits from high-voltage circuits and uses automatic switching to control multiple circuits at once that are not even connected to them. Relays used in the microprocessor control heavy electrical loads, preventing electrical failures and overload damage to the motor.

Q: Why are general-purpose relays important?

A: General purpose relays are important because they provide a wide range of options for controlling and managing electronic circuits. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles for a variety of applications. General-purpose relays can be used to control and manage simple and complex electronic circuits. General-purpose relays are used in a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, and military. They are also used in various applications such as control panels, alarms, and switchboards. General-purpose relays are an essential part of any electronic circuit and can be used to control a variety of devices.

Q: What is the use of general purpose relays in electronic devices?

A: The relays are utilized in different applications depending on various measures like rating of contacts, number, and kind of contacts, the voltage rating of contacts, operating lifetime, curl voltage and current, bundle, etc. There are various applications for electromechanical relays. Relays are oftentimes being utilized in power system networks for controlling reasons, mechanization reasons, and insurance reasons.
The relays are commonly used in applications and processes like engine control, automation of processes. For example, in the electrical fuel pump, modern applications are the most typical use application areas of GP relays. This care is used in cases to control high voltages and flows, controlling huge power loads, etc.

Q: What are the advantages of using general-purpose relay?

A: The general Purpose relays are cost-effective and help to reduce the cost due to system failure due to electrical faults. The relay has a small profile and its different mounting styles and compatibility is desired. It also simplifies the installation and wiring process.
You will find various GP relays in different colors, the color codes are given for a specific purpose. The color codes are useful for quick and easy testing. It is also helpful for troubleshooting control logic circuits.

Q: What are the types of general-purpose relay?

A: There are various types of general purpose relays and they are classified due to their features and suitability for the particular process. We are mentioning the most common ones along with their workings.
For Control Panels
The Relays that are used in control panels are mainly used for relay sequences or I/O applications. These typically come with 1 to 4 poles.
Built-In
The built-in relays are used due to their core feature of allowing carrying the current of up to 40 A. It comes within the housing of the device that's why named such. This particular relays type is used for building into devices, e.g., to turn ON load power supplies
For Work Saving
These are other types of general purpose relays that are used mainly for I/O applications. The main feature of this relay is saving work and downsizing. You will find it mostly in programmable controllers
For Special Operations
The next type of general purpose relays come for special operations. This relay is available as relay units that are used for specific applications only, such as alternative operation and stepping operation of pumps.

Q: Can a relay stay on all the time?

A: Typically the relay ratings are for continuous duty. They also contain an inductive and resistive ratings. As long as you do not exceed them they can be left on indefinitely or as long as you have the correct voltage on the coil.

Q: What is the difference between normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) contacts?

A: NO contacts are open in the resting state, while NC contacts are closed. Relays can have both types.

Q: Does general-purpose relay reduce power consumption?

A: The current required to hold the relay on (Holding current) can be substantially less than the initial current required to actuate it (Pickup current). This implies that there can be a considerable power saving if we can design a simple circuit to reduce the current supplied to a relay once it has been switched on.

Q: How to select a general-purpose relay?

A: When selecting a relay, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the relay is suitable for the intended application:
Voltage and current rating: The relay should be rated for the voltage and current of the circuit it will be controlling.
Switching capacity: The relay should be able to handle the load that it will be switching. This includes the current, voltage, and power of the load.
Contact arrangement: The relay should have the correct number and type of contacts for the circuit it will be controlling, such as normally open (NO), normally closed (NC) or changeover (CO)
Life expectancy: The relay should have a life expectancy that is suitable for the application. In some cases high-cycle applications, relays with higher mechanical or electrical life would be appropriate.
Operating time and release time: The relay should have an operating time and release time that is suitable for the application. For example, in high-speed switching applications, relays with short operating times may be required.
Environment: The relay should be rated for the environmental conditions it will be exposed to, such as temperature, humidity, and vibration.
Mounting: The relay should be able to be mounted in the appropriate location, for example, on a circuit board or panel.
Standards: The relay should be compliant with the relevant industry standards such as UL, CSA, VDE, CE, and others.
Cost: The cost of the relay should be considered within the budget allocated for the project.
Brand reputation: It is advisable to consider the brand reputation and product warranty when selecting the relay, to ensure good quality and service support.

Q: Can general-purpose relays be used for switching large loads?

A: Yes, relays are often used for controlling high-power devices due to their robust design.

Q: How do you troubleshoot relay-related issues?

A: Check for coil continuity, inspect contacts for wear, and ensure proper voltage is applied.

Q: Can general-purpose relays handle DC and AC loads?

A: A relay with a DC coil will not work on AC. However the contacts of the relay typically do allow AC, and in fact AC is easier on the contacts than DC is.

Q: How to test a relay?

A: There are several methods for testing a relay to determine if it is functioning properly. Here are a few basic methods:
Visual Inspection: A visual inspection of the relay can often reveal any obvious damage or defects, such as broken or burnt contacts.
Ohmmeter Test: An ohmmeter can be used to test the resistance of the relay coil. With the power off, connect the ohmmeter to the relay terminals and check the reading. A healthy relay should show a low resistance, while an open coil would show infinite resistance.
Continuity Test: A continuity test can be used to check the continuity of the relay contacts. With the power off, disconnect the relay from the circuit and use a continuity tester or multimeter to test the continuity between the common terminal and the normally open or normally closed terminals.
Power Test: To test a relay with power on, connect it in the circuit and apply power to the circuit. Check the relay by measuring the voltage across the coil, if the voltage is present and the relay does not engage, then it could be defective.
Functional Test: To test a relay function, connect it in the circuit and apply power, and then activate the control circuit and check that the relay engages and disconnects as expected.

Q: What is the lifespan of a general-purpose relay?

A: The electrical life expectancy of general purpose and power relays is generally rated to be 100,000 operations minimum, while mechanical life expectancy may be one million, 10, or even 100 million operations.

As one of the leading general-purpose relay manufacturers and suppliers in China, we warmly welcome you to buy high-grade general-purpose relay in stock here from our factory. All our products are with high quality and low price.

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