Getting Started
If a non-latching relay is a normally closed position, when the relay is depowered, the relay will remain in this NC state, usually with a mechanical or magnetic apparatus keeping the parts in place. When the circuit is powered up, the relay switches to a NO state. This is accomplished with a coil, which generates a magnetic field that keeps the parts in the NO position. After the power is removed from the component, it will go back to its NC state. A normally open latching will function in just the opposite fashion.
These relays need to be installing in circuits with consideration given to the amount of voltage required to make them switch, the amount of power and current they can handle and other safety concerns. If they have too much voltage going through them, for instance, the electricity may arc across the contact, essentially achieving the same end as closing the contacts, at least momentarily and potentially damaging the circuit.
Non-latching relays are mechanical types of relays. The way they are constructed makes them exceptionally durable and they are entirely capable of lasting for the whole lifecycle of much of the machinery on which they are typically installed.
Other Resources
View ProductsWhich Parts Are Inside a Non-Latching Relay?
Relays are switches. They are electrically operating but, at their cores, they are switches and the language of switches can be used to describe both their parts and how those parts function within the device.
The relay has a moveable part called an armature. This armature rests on contacts that allow the current to flow through the switch. The movement is powered by a coil, which produces a magnetic force that holds the relay in a given position. A spring keeps the contacts in the normal position when the device is depowered.
The basic parts that any electromechanical relay will have are the coil, the spring, the armature and the contacts. A yoke connects the switch to the circuit.
How Does a Non-Latching Relay Function?
When current flows through the device, the coil generates magnetic forces that move the armature. The contacts then move, either opening up the circuit or closing it. The armature will remain in this position as long as current remains flowing through the component. When the current is removed, a spring pushes the armature and contacts into the opposite configuration. In a non-latching relay, this predicably moves the relay back to its initial state.
These simple, electromechanical devices have been in use since the early days of telegraphs. Today's designs are generally housed in a plastic housing. In some cases, this is clear, permitting one to watch the relay in operation as current is added and removed from the circuit.
How Is a Non-Latching Relay Different from a Latching Relay?
A latching relay stays where it was when the circuit was last powered. If it was in an NO position while there was power flowing, it will stay in that position if the power is removed from the circuit. If it was in an NC position, it will retain that state if the power is removed from the circuit. These devices can have one or two coils in them.
A non-latching relay, by contrast, goes back to its normal position when the power is removed from the circuit. This small difference means a lot in terms of the applications that this device is suitable for. Notably, these relays automatically return to a known state if the power is removed from the circuit. This is useful if, when a piece of equipment is powered down, it's necessary to know the state of some of the relays on the apparatus before it is powered up again.
Outwardly, these devices quite often look very similar. They are usually designed with either plug in or PCB mountings on them and there are many different variables that dictate which one is right for any given task.
Who manufactures non-lautching relays?
- Altech: Altech is an automation and control component producer that has non-latching relays among.
- American Zettler: This company specializes in relays, manufacturing them for a variety of different industries and applications.
- Crouzet: This company has been in business since 1921 and is very much associated with sensors. They have non-latching relays among their offerings.
- Dold: An electronics manufacturer with a wide range of monitoring and control products that manufactures non-latching relays.
- ETA: Manufactures circuit protection devices and products for the aerospace industry, their lines includes non-latching relays.
- Finder: Finder has a wide range of relays and other control components available on the market.
- Fujitsu: Fujitsu is a global brand that manufactures a variety of different products, including controllers, microcontrollers, relays and may other types of components.
- Honeywell: Honeywell is associated with the aerospace industry as much as they are with consumer level devices. They manufacture relays of various types.
- Idec: This company manufactures circuit breakers, pilot devices and a variety of different types of relays.
- Macromatic: This company is a large manufacturer of controls components for industrial use.
- Magnecraft: This company makes many types of relays, including non-latching types.
- NTE Electronics: This semiconductor manufacturer makes switches and other components for industrial purposes.
- Omron: Omron is a Japanese company that has been business since the 1930s. The company makes a variety of different electronic components.
- Opto 22: This company specializes in industrial electronics, with control and monitoring components and non-latching relays being available from them.
- Panasonic: An exceptionally large company based in Japan, this manufacturer products electronic components, but also a huge range of consumer goods, technology and beyond.
- Phoenix Contact: This company specializes in automation technology, including offering many different types of relays.
- Releco: This company specializes in relays and offers an impressive amount of options among its products.
- RS: RS is a major distributor of electronic components for the industrial, scientific and manufacturing world, as well as for consumer level components. It is a UK based company that spans the globe and that has been in business since the late 1930s.
- Schneider Electric: This company emphasizes energy as one of its focuses, and provides a range of automation equipment and components.
- SE Relays Magnecraft: This is a division of Schneider Electronic that produces relay as a specialty.
- Siemens: Siemens is a very large corporation that produces well for a variety of different industries. They are headquartered in Germany and have been in business since the mid-1800s.
- Song Chuan: Song Chuan produces relays for the automotive industry and other industries, including many specialized designs.
- TE Connectivity: This components manufacturer provides products for the aerospace industry, the telecommunications industry and more. They make many different types of electronic components.
- Teledyne: This is a global company that is headquartered in the US. They produce many components that are aimed at the aerospace industry and the defence industry.
- Telemecanique: This manufacturer makes products that are used in automation and other industrial applications. They have non-latching relays and other types among their line.
- Tempatron: This company, as their name suggest, is associated with timekeeping devices, though they also manufacture control products.
- Wieland: Wieland is a growing international company that produces electrical components for several different industries.
Product spotlights
Motion Sensor
An electronic device capable of converting the movements it senses into electrical signals.
Rocker Switch
One of the most common method of using a rocker switch is on a light switch, but they are in quite a few other devices and applications as well including surge protectors and appliances.
Strain Gauge
Stretching a strip of conductive metal will not only make it longer and thinner, it will result in an increase in electrical resistance from one end of the strip to another.
Screw Extractors
Screws have significant advantages over nails in certain applications.
