Relay Guide

Overview

What is a relay?

A relay is essentially a switch that is operated electrically rather than mechanically. Although there are various relay designs, the ones most commonly found in low voltage auto and marine applications are electro-mechanical relays that work by activating an electromagnet to pull a set of contacts to make or break a circuit. These are used extensively throughout vehicle electrical systems.

Why might I want to use a relay?

There are several reasons why you might want or need to use a relay:

• Switching a high current circuit using a lower current circuit

This is the most common reason and useful where an in-line switch or the existing circuit does not have the capacity to handle the current required. For example, if you wanted to fit some high power work lights that come on with the headlights but there is a risk that they would exceed the capacity of the existing loom.

• Cost saving

High current capacity wiring and switches cost more than lower current capacity versions, so by using relays the requirement for the more expensive components is minimised. 

• Activating more than one circuit from a single input

You can use a single input from one part of an electrical system (e.g. central locking output, manual switch etc.) to activate one or more relays that then complete one or more other circuits and so carry out multiple functions from one input signal.

• Carrying out logic functions

Electromagnetic relays can be put to some quite clever (and complex) applications when linked up to perform logical operations based on certain inputs (for example, latching a +12V output on and off from a momentary input, flashing alternative left and right lights etc.). Although these logical functions have now been superseded by electronic modules for OEM designs, it can still be useful, fun and often more cost effective to use relays to perform them for some after-market projects (particularly where you have a bespoke application).

Note: In this article we are going to focus on ISO mini or 'standard' relays which have a 1" cube body and are the most commonly used in vehicle electrical systems.

Construction and operation

Inside a relay

This is what the inside of an ISO mini relay looks like:

A copper coil around an iron core (the electromagnet) is held in a frame or 'yoke' from which an armature is hinged. One end of the armature is connected to a tension spring which pulls the other end of the armature up. This is the relay in its de-energised state or 'at rest' with no voltage applied. The braided bonding strap provides a good electrical connection between the armature and yolk, rather than relying on contact between the armature pivot point alone. The coil and contact (or contacts) are then connected to various terminals on the outside of the relay body.

How they work

When the coil is supplied with voltage a magnetic field is generated around it which pulls the hinged armature down onto the contact. This completes the 'high' current circuit between the terminals and the relay is said to be energised. When voltage is removed from the coil terminal the spring pulls the armature back into it's 'at rest' position and breaks the circuit between the terminals. So by applying or removing power to the coil (the low current circuit) we switch the high current circuit on or off.

Note: It is important to understand that the coil circuit and the current-carrying (or switched) circuit are electrically isolated from one another within the relay. The coil circuit simply switches the high current circuit on.

The following simplified circuit diagram is often used to easily understand how a relay operates:

Relay terminology

The ISO mini relay we have looked at above has 4 pins (or terminals) on the body and is referred to as a make & break relay because there is one high current circuit and a contact that is either open or closed depending upon whether the relay is at rest or energised. If the contact is broken with the relay at rest then the relay is referred to as Normally Open (NO) and if the contact is closed with the relay at rest then the relay is referred to as Normally Closed (NC). Normally Open relays are the more common type.

ISO mini relays with two circuits, one of which is closed when the relay is at rest and the other which is closed when the relay is energised, have 5 pins on the body and are referred to as changeover relays. These have two contacts connected to a common terminal.

Make & break relays are also known as Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) and changeover relays as Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT). This is based on standard switch terminology. There are other contact configurations discussed below but make & break and changeover relays are the most commonly used.

Terminal numbering convention

The terminal numberings found on a relay body are taken from DIN 72552 which is a German automotive industry standard that has been widely adopted and allocates a numeric code to various types of electrical terminals found in vehicles. The terminals on the outside of a 4 or 5 pin mini relay are marked with numbers as shown below:

According to DIN 72552 the coil should be fed with +12V to terminal 86 and grounded via terminal 85, however in practice it makes no difference which way around they are wired, unless you are using a relay with an integrated diode (see more info on diodes below).

Tip: you can use a changeover relay in place of a make & break relay by just leaving either the NO or NC terminal disconnected (depending on whether you want the circuit to be made or broken when you energise the relay).

Terminal layouts

The automotive ISO mini relays we have been looking at above are typically available in two types of pin layout designated Type A and Type B layouts. These layouts are shown on the two 5-pin relays below (pin 87a not present on 4 pin relays):

You will notice that on the Type B layout pins 86 and 30 are swapped over compared with the Type A layout. The Type B layout is arguably easier to work with as the connected terminals are in-line, making the wiring easier to visualise. If you need to replace a relay make sure you use one with the same terminal layout as it is easy to overlook if you're not aware of the difference.

Terminal sizes

The terminal widths used on 4 and 5 pin relays are almost always 6.3mm wide, however some more specialist relays can have terminal widths of 2.8mm, 4.8mm and 9.5mm. The 9.5mm wide terminals tend to be used for higher power applications (such as for starter motor solenoid activation) and the smaller terminals tend to be used for electronics signalling where only very low currents are required.  All widths will be compatible with the standard female blade crimp terminals of the corresponding sizes.

Relay body markings

Relays can look very similar from the outside so they normally have the circuit schematic, voltage rating, current rating and terminal numbers marked on the body to identify them.

• Circuit schematic

This shows the basic internal circuits (including any diodes, resistors etc.) and terminal layout to assist wiring.

• Voltage rating

The operating voltage of the coil and high current circuits. Typically 12V for passenger vehicles and small craft but also available in 6V for older vehicles and 24V for commercial applications (both auto and marine).

• Current rating

This is the current carrying capacity of the high current circuit(s) and is normally between 25A and 40A, however it is sometimes shown as a dual rating on changeover relays e.g. 30/40A. In the case of dual ratings the normally closed circuit is the lower of the two, so 30A/40A, NC/NO for the example given.  The current draw of the coil is not normally shown but is typically 150-200 mA with a corresponding coil resistance of around 80-60 W.

Tip: Knowing the coil resistance is useful when testing the relay for a fault with a multi-meter. A very high resistance or open circuit reading can indicate a damaged coil.

• Terminal numbering

The numbers 85, 86, 30, 87 & 87a (or other numbers for different relay configurations) are normally moulded into the plastic next to each pin and also shown on the circuit schematic.

Relay configurations and types

In addition to the basic make & break and changeover configurations above, ISO relays are available in a number of other common configurations which are described in the table below:

Configuration	Circuit schematic *	Description
Make & break relay		The most simple form of relay. The circuit between terminals 30 and 87 is made on energisation of the relay and broken on de-energisation, known as NO  (or vice-versa for a NC relay).
Changeover relay		Two circuits (terminals 87 and 87a ) have a common terminal (30). When the relay is at rest 87a is connected to 30, and when the relay is energised 87 becomes connected to 30 (but never both at the same time).
Relay with double output		Terminal 87 is linked to pin number 87b, giving double outputs from the single NO contact.
Relay with dual contacts		The armature contacts both terminal 87 and (in this case) 87b at the same time when the coil is energised, creating a dual NO output
Relay with integrated fuse		A blade or ceramic fuse is connected between terminal 30 and the NO contact, providing built-in protection for the high current circuit. The fuse is normally mounted in a holder moulded as part of the relay body so it can be replaced if it blows.
Relay with diode across the coil		When voltage is removed from terminals 85/86 and the coil is de-energised, the magnetic field that has been created around the coil collapses rapidly. This collapse causes a voltage across the coil in the opposite direction to the voltage that created it (+12V), and since the collapse is so rapid the voltages generated can be in the order of several hundred volts (although very low current). These high voltages can damage sensitive electronic devices upstream of the +12V coil supply side, such as control modules in alarm systems, and since it's common to take low current alarm output signals to energise relay coils, equipment damage is a real risk. Using a relay with a diode across the coil can prevent this damage by absorbing the high voltage spikes and dissipating them within the coil/diode circuit (this is known as a blocking or quenching diode). The diode will always be installed in the relay with the stripe on the diode body facing towards terminal 86 (reverse biased) and it is important that +12V is connected this terminal (with 85 connected to ground) or the diode could be damaged.
Relay with resistor across the coil		A high value resistor performs a similar function to that of the diode in the previous configuration by absorbing the high voltage spikes created by the collapsed magnetic field on de-energisation of the coil. The disadvantage of a resistor is that it allows a small current to flow in normal operation of the relay (unlike a diode) and is not quite as effective as a diode in suppressing voltage spikes, but it is less susceptible to accidental damage because resistors are not sensitive to polarity (i.e. it doesn't matter whether +12V is connected to terminal 85 or 86).

* All schematics shown with the relay at rest (de-energised)

Micro relays

ISO micro relays are, as the name suggests, smaller than ISO mini relays and designed for use in applications where space is at a premium.  They are rectangular in section and narrower than a mini relay with a slightly different pin layout, and are typically available in 'make and break' and 'changeover' configurations, with and without suppression diodes.

In addition, the terminal numbering used is sometimes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 instead of 30, 85, 86, 87a & 87.

More complex relay types

There are other relay designs that are used for some more complex applications in vehicle systems. They are still based upon the principle of switching higher current circuits using smaller current circuits but often combine this with electronics to perform special functions: Some examples are:

• Glow plug relays - provide power to the glow plugs in a diesel engine for a set amount of time using an ignition switch position or other input to energise the relay.
• Fuel injection relays - provide power to the electrically activated fuel injectors in a petrol engine for varying amounts of time based on signals from the vehicle Engine Control Unit (ECU).
• Timer relays - for example in a circuit for a heated rear window, where the relay needs to be energised for a few minutes before turning off.
• Flasher relays/units - used for operating indicators and hazard warning lights and employ electronics to control the timing of the contact opening and closing rather than a traditional bi-metallic strip. 

These more complex relays can have up to 9 pins of various sizes. This increase in the number of terminals over the standard 4 or 5 in more simple relays is often necessary because additional connections can be required for the in-built electronics (e.g. inputs from sensors or the ECU and outputs to indicator lights or the ECU).

Example relay wiring schemes

The following diagrams show some common relay wiring schemes that use 4 pin ISO mini relays.

1. Adding driving lights that come on with the headlight main beam
This simple circuit uses the power feed to the headlight main beam bulb as the trigger to energise a relay. The high current circuit in this relay feeds power to the driving light bulb, so every time headlight main beam is selected, the coil is energised and the driving lights operate. Note: It is important that the new power feed to the driving lights is fused appropriately (see our Knowledge Centre fusing guide)
	Terminal 86 - Connect to the +12v cable feeding power to the headlight main beam bulb (achieved by making a splice in the original loom). Terminal 85 - Connect to a suitable earthing point on the vehicle chassis. Terminal 30 - Connect to a +12V feed from the battery. Terminal 87 - Connect to the +12V terminal of the driving light bulb or driving light loom. Tip: It is a good idea to use a separate relay for the left and right hand driving lights and have them switched independently from the left and right hand main beams. This way, if a relay on one side fails the driving light on the other side will still work.

2. Adding a buzzer that warns when you've left your headlights on
This circuit is designed to alert you that you've left your lights on by activating a buzzer when you open the driver's door. The coil of the relay is fed from the headlight power cable so that it will only be supplied with +12V when the headlight switch is on. If the headlights are on and the driver's door is opened, the door switch will complete the coil circuit which will complete the high current circuit to the warning buzzer. Notice that in this case, the current draw of the alarm/buzzer will be very low so it can be fed from the same +12V supply that is used for the coil. A warning light could easily be added in parallel to, or used instead of, the buzzer.
	Terminal 86 - Connect to the +12v power feed to the headlights (achieved by making a splice in the original loom). Also connects in parallel to terminal 30. Terminal 85 - Connect to the driver's side door switch. Terminal 30 - Connected from terminal 86. Terminal 87 - Connect to the +12V terminal of a warning buzzer and then connect the warning buzzer -ve terminal to ground.

3. Adding a hidden switch that must be pressed to enable the vehicle to be started
This is a clever little circuit involving two relays and a momentary switch and is more a of a 'logic' circuit than one used to switch a high current with a low current. Once the ignition key is in the IGN position, you press and release the momentary switch and then turn the key to the START position and fire the engine as normal. The button press momentarily energises the coil of Relay 1 which allows +12V out of terminal 87 and into terminal 86. This has the effect of keeping the coil energised after the button is released (note that whilst the button is pressed there is 0V between terminals 86 and 87). Terminal 87 also sends power to the coil of Relay 2 which enables the starter motor solenoid connection, ready for when the key is turned to the START position. When the ignition is turned off the power to the coil of Relay 1 is cut which cuts the power to the coil in Relay 2 and breaks the starter motor solenoid circuit, so the engine cannot be started again without going through the above routine. The momentary switch can be mounted out of sight and acts a simple starter inhibit security device.
	RELAY 1 Terminal 86 - From one side of momentary switch. Terminal 85 - Connect to a suitable earthing point on the vehicle chassis. Terminal 30 - From +12V ignition switch IGN position. This supply also feeds the other side of the momentary switch. Terminal 87 - To terminal 86 and Relay 2 terminal 86.   RELAY 2 Terminal 86 - From Relay 1 terminal 86. Terminal 85 - Connect to a suitable earthing point on the vehicle chassis. Terminal 30 - From +12V ignition switch START position Terminal 87 - To starter motor solenoid.