Relay Logic Circuit (RLC) (Relay, Contactor, Switch and Timer)
What is relay logic circuit? Relay logic is a method of OPERATING industrial electrical
circuits with the help of relay and contacts. Relay is an electrical operated switch. First we
understand what is NO and NC point. RLC depend on both point NO and NC.
NO point:-NO point is normally open. It means that point is normally open in ideal state. To
understand about NO point see figure below. In this figure when this point is in ideal state no
output comes from it, but when we activate this point it close and output comes.
NC POINT: - Full form of NC is Normally Close. It means NC point is close in ideal state. See
figure to understand this point. In this figure when this point is in ideal state output comes from
it, but when we activate this point, it opens and no output comes.
Relay is an electromechanical device which operates by current. Relay consists one coil,
armature, spring and contact as shown in images below. In the diagram shown, there is coil
which consist two terminal A1 and A2. When we give supply on these terminal (A1, A2), coil
generate magnetic field which attract or repel armature in the coil. That Armature end terminal
connects with contact. When coil operate armature, operating contact became change and when
supply cut off, contact goes to ideal state with the help of spring.
Contactors
Note: working principle of contactor is same as relay, but it mainly uses for heavy duty work.
Contactor switching time is higher than relay.
A contactor is an electrically controlled switch (a relay) used for switching a power or control
circuit. A contactor is controlled by a circuit which has a much lower power level than the
switched circuit. Contactors come in many forms with varying capacities and features. Unlike a
circuit breaker, a contactor is not intended to interrupt a short circuit current.
Construction
A contactor is composed of three different items. The contacts are the current carrying part of the
contactor. This includes power contacts, auxiliary contacts, and contact springs. The
electromagnet provides the driving force to close the contacts. The enclosure is a frame housing
the contact and the electromagnet. Enclosures are made of insulating materials like Bakelite,
Nylon 6, and thermosetting plastics to protect and insulate the contacts and to provide some
measure of protection against personnel touching the contacts. Open-frame contactors may have
a further enclosure to protect against dust, oil, explosion hazards and weather. High voltage
contactors (greater than 1000 volts) may use vacuum or an inert gas around the contacts.
Timer relay
Their purpose is to control an event based on time. The difference between relays and time delay relays
is when the output contacts open & close: on a control relay, it happens when voltage is applied and
removed from the coil; on time delay relays, the contacts can open or close before or after some time
delay.
Motor starter
a) Simple motor starter (DOL)
b) Forward and reverse motor starter circuit
C) Star-Delta control