Car Electrical Relay Switch

An automotive relay is an electronically operated switch.

Car electrical relay switch.

A relay is an electrically operated switch it consists of a set of input terminals for a single or multiple control signals and a set of operating contact terminals the switch may have any number of contacts in multiple contact forms such as make contacts break contacts or combinations thereof. They employ an electromagnet device to mechanically switch and make or break an electrical circuit the type most commonly used in the auto industry is called a standard relay or a mini relay. Using a relay keeps the higher voltage out of the passenger compartment of the vehicle and is just less taxing on your vehicle s electrical system in general. We show you how to wire in an electric fan relay kit with a thermostatic switch.

If one of your accessories doesn t come on and you suspect the relay is bad you can perform a few simple tests. Relays are used where it is necessary to control a circuit by an independent low power signal. If the relay clicks and the circuit is still not. Every year vehicles are equipped with more and more safety luxury and convenience features and most of them rely on electricity from the battery and charging system the ignition switch is your gateway to electric power and once engaged a myriad of switches are at your disposal for entertainment navigation windshield wipers lights door locks windows climate control operation and much.

They are found in all types of vehicles. Whenever you operate a switch to an accessory in your car that carries a lot of current such as the lights wipers or horn you run a small amount of current through a relay which in turn closes contacts to operate the accessory. A classic example is the system used to start a car when someone turns an ignition key the ignition does not interact directly with the car battery instead it activates a relay which passes the signal on so that the car can start. An electrical relay is a switch that is under the control of another circuit.

Step 4 once the relay has been identified gently grasp or touch the relay in question have a helper turn the ignition key to the on position then crank the engine over the relay should click in one of the ignition switch positions. If so the trigger circuit of the relay electrical system is working if not continue to next step.