How does a relay work?
A relay is an electromagnetic device, within which an electro magnet (sometimes called a motor) is fixtured to cause controlled movement either by magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion. Other hardware attached to the moving magnetic portion of the motor such as relay contacts will cause switching of electrical circuits. • Why use a relay vs a circuit breaker or switch? By definition: RELAY: An electromagnetic device for remote or automatic control that is actuated by variations in conditions of an electric circuit and which, in turn, operates other devices (such as switches) in the same or a different circuit. CIRCUIT BREAKER: A switch that automatically interrupts an electric circuit under an infrequent abnormal condition; e.g., a fault condition such as an overload or rupture of either high voltage or high current or both. SWITCH: A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit. Usually mechanical and operated by hand. • What does normally open
