DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH

Name of the staff : K.S.SUNANDA

Designation : Lecturer in E.C.E.
Institute : G.M.R. Polytechnic., Srisailam
Semester : I-Year
Subject : Electronic Components and Devices
Subject Code : EC-105
Topic : Switches and Relays
Duration : 50 Min
Sub topic : Relays
Teaching aids : Diagrams.

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Objectives

On completion of this period, you would be able to

• Explain the performance characteristics of relay.

• List the contact materials used in relays.

• List characteristics of contact materials.

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 Recap

What are the basics elements present in an

electromagnetic Relay?

• Actuating element.

• Armature.

• Contacts.

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 What is this diagram?

Ans : Telephone Relay FIG-1

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Performance characteristics of Relays

Operate current: minimum current required for the relay to

operate.

Release current: maximum current at which the relay is

just released.

Hold current: minimum current of the operated relay.

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Operate lag:- Time taken by relay to operate after its circuit
current reaches operate current.

Release lag:-Time taken by relay to release after its circuit

current reaches release current.

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Bounce:-series of closing and opening of contacts before
steady state is reached.

Bounce time:- time taken between first and final closing of

relay contacts.

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OPERATE AND RELEASE LAG

FIG-3

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Contacts made of :

• Silver.

• Tungsten.

• Palladium.

• Nickel silver.

• Gold or platinum.

• Mercury.

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Silver Contacts:

• Silver offers low contact resistance.

• Used in low power relays of 5 to 6 Amperes.

• Contacts can withstand only light loads.

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Contacts made of Tungsten:

• Tungsten contacts have the tendency to get its

surface oxidized.

• Problem eliminated by using in high pressure

contacts.

• Used in circuit breakers.

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Contacts made of Palladium:

• Palladium is used for medium power applications.

• Current range is from 10 to 80 Amperes.

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Characteristics of contact materials:-

• Low contact resistance.

• Long life.

• High electrical and thermal conductivity.

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Characteristics of contact materials:-

• High melting point.

• Good mechanical strength.

• Should not oxidize in atmosphere.

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SUMMARY

We have discussed about

• Performance characteristics of relay.

• Contact materials of relay.

• Characteristics of contact materials.

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QUIZ

• Contact materials used in relay are

• 1.Palladium

• 2.Tungsten

• 3.Lead

• 4.Both 1 and 2

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• Characteristic’s of contact material

3. High melting point.

5. Low contact resistance.

7. Isolation.

9. Both 1 and 2.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Explain the performance characteristics of relay.

3. List contact materials of relay.

5. List characteristics of contact material.

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