Latching relay

Latching relay with permanent magnet A latching relay has two relaxed states (bistable). These are also called "impulse", "keep", or "stay" relays. When the current is switched off, the relay remains in its last state. This is achieved with a solenoid operating a ratchet and cam mechanism, or by having two opposing coils with an over-center spring or permanent magnet to hold the armature and contacts in position while the coil is relaxed, or with a remanent core. In the ratchet and cam example, the first pulse to the coil turns the relay on and the second pulse turns it off. In the two coil example, a pulse to one coil turns the relay on and a pulse to the opposite coil turns the relay off. This type of relay has the advantage that one coil consumes power only for an instant, while it is being switched, and the relay contacts retain this setting across a power outage. A remanent core latching relay requires a current pulse of opposite polarity to make it change state.

Latching Relay Definition

A relay is a type of electromechanical switch used in power supplies, counting systems and many other applications. It is used to control a large current with a small current. Most relays require a small continuous voltage to stay on. A latching relay is different. It uses a pulse to move the switch, then stays in position, slightly reducing the electric power requirement.

Latching Relay Structure

The latching relay has a small metal strip which can pivot between two terminals. The switch is magnetized, or attached to a small magnet. On either side of that magnet are small coils of wire called solenoids. The switch has an input and two outputs at the terminals. It can be used to turn one circuit on and off, or to switch power between two different circuits.
Latching Relay Operation

The two coils are used to control the relay. When electric current flows into the coils, it generates a magnetic field, which turns off again when they do. Because the magnetic strip is suspended between the two coils, it is also subject to their magnetic field. When the circuit generates a pulse of electricity through the coils, it pushes the switch from one side to the other. The strip stays there until it receives a magnetic pulse in the opposite direction, pushing the switch back to the other terminal.

Latching A latching relay can have 1 or 2 coils. Latching relays have no default position and remain in their last position when the drive current stops flowing. While the relays themselves may be latching, their reset position in a module is based on the control circuitry and software (NISWITCH resets all relays on all modules during initialize and reset). Latching relays are useful in applications where power consumption and dissipation must be limited because, once actuated, they require no current flow to maintain their position. In onecoil latching, the direction of current flow determines the position of the relay. In 2coil latching, the coil in which the current flows determines the position of the armature. 1-Coil Latching Relay 2-Coil Latching Relay