Instrumentation

Magnetic Contactors
is an electrically controlled switch used for switching an electrical power circuit, similar
to a relay except with higher current ratings.
Control Relays
is an electrically operated switch. Many relays use an electromagnet to mechanically
operate a switch, but other operating principles are also used, such as solid-state
relays.
Set of Lamps (220V)
is an electric light which produces light with a wire filament heated to a high
temperature by an electric current passing through it, until it glows.
AC Ammeter and DC Ammeter
is a measuring instrument used to measure the electric in a circuit.
Variac
which are AC power supplies, are the most popular variable auto transformers on the
market because they are cheaper, lighter, and smaller than dual-winding transformers.
Rectifier
is an electrical device that converts alternating current, which periodically reverses
direction, to direct current.
VOM
is an instrument used for measuring electrical potential difference between two points
in an electric circuit.
DC Motor (12V)
is any class of electrical machines that converts direct current electrical power into
mechanical power.

Connecting Wires
is an electro-mechanical device for joining electrical circuits as an interface using a
mechanical assembly
Start/Stop Push Button

 is a simple switch mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or a process.

Extension wire
is a length of flexible electrical power cable with a plug on one end and one or more
sockets on the other end.

Review Questions
1. Name the most important part of the relay. Describe them and their primary
function.
The two most important part of a relay is its electromagnet and contacts. The heart of
a relay is the electromagnet, a coil of wire that becomes a temporary magnet when
electricity flows through it. The contacts of the relay is the metals inside the relay that
the electromagnet attracts to create a conducting path when it is energized which
makes the relay become a switching device.
2. Differentiate a control relay from a magnetic contactor.

 The main difference between contactors and relays is the loads that they are meant to
handle. Contactors are used for loads that have high voltages, high currents, or both.
Contactors are used for devices that pass more than 15 amps or loads of more than
3kW. For lower amounts, ordinary relays are used.
3. Why is it important to know the pick up voltage of relays and contactors?
For example, a 12 V relay is designed to operate without any problems at that voltage.
But you can't expect that the user's 12 V supply will be 12V, so you still want the relay
to operate at 11.8 V, or 11 V. There is production variation as well. Therefore relays
have a must operate or pickup voltage. That's the minimum voltage at which the relay
will activate guaranteed.
4. Define inrush current and sealed current. Why is the value of the inrush
current higher than the sealed current?
Inrush current, input surge current or switch-on surge is the maximum, instantaneous
input current drawn by an electrical device when first turned on.
Sealed current is the current that the relay can handle at steady state condition.
Based on the definition, inrush current is higher compare to sealed current because it
is a surge current, so it is the maximum current drawn and as time goes the current
will gradually decrease to its steady state value.
5. What does the term normal position means when it is applied to relay
contacts?
It is the default position of the contacts when it is not energized. Either it is normally
open or normally close.
6. What happens to the contacts of a relay when its coil is energized?
If the relay coil is energized, the normally open contacts will close and the normally
close contacts will open because of magnetic field produce of the coil that pull or push
the contacts
7. The function of a relay in a circuit is just like an ordinary switch. Enumerate
the things that can be done when using a relay that cannot be done when
using an ordinary switch.
A relay is electrically controlled switch when its electromagnet is energized, it will
attract the contact to create a current path to start the load
Relay doesnt need human interaction, it is automatic because it is electrically
controlled.

Conclusion
Based on the objectives of the experiment and data tables, these are what I concluded:
1. As we perform the experiment and based on the experiment paper, I have analysed the parts
of a relay. The important parts of a relay are the following: the electromagnet, contacts and
the return spring. The electromagnet is the coil inside the wire. When the electromagnet is
energized a current flow through it will produce a magnetic field. The magnetic field will pull
the second important part of the relay which is the contact, when the contact pulled, it will
create a path for the current to the output terminal of the relay to continue the flow of current
to start the load at the load side. The third important part of a relay is the return spring, when
the electromagnet is de-energized, the contacts must return to its normal positions, the return
spring will do the job for that.
2. The main advantage of using a relays instead of ordinary switches is that relays are electrically
controlled, it doesnt need human interaction to push a button like in ordinary switches so
relays are automatic and less cost in creating a control circuit

3. In the data table, we have measured the pickup voltage and current of relays available in the
laboratory. The pickup voltage of a relay is the value of input voltage to the relay that will
activate it when it reach that voltage input. That's the minimum voltage at which the relay

will activate guaranteed. The pickup current depends on the coil resistance of the relay.

Bibliography
Hermian, S. L. (2007). Electric Motor Control. New York: Cengage Learning.

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

CALOOCAN

College of Engineering
Electrical Engineering Department

RELAY OPERATION AND APPLICATION

Laboratory Report # 1

Submitted by:

Pabiania, Jay Romar D.

Submitted to:

Engr. Antonio C. Rebong

Date Performed: June 23, 2015

Date Submitted: