Relay Sockets Information

Relay Sockets Information

Relay sockets are devices that accept relays, electromechanical switches in which the variation of current in one electric circuit controls the flow of electricity in another circuit. Relay sockets are made of metal or composite materials and available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Performance specifications include number of poles, maximum voltage, and maximum current. Single-pole (SP) sockets are used with relays that control one line with each throw. Double-pole (DP) devices are used with relays that control two lines. Typically, the first line is hot and the second line is neutral. Triple-pole (TP) sockets accept three pairs of contacts. Four-pole devices (4P) receive four pairs of contacts. Additional considerations when selecting relay sockets include electrical rating, dielectric strength, insulation resistance, and temperature range. Some products are flame retardant, shatterproof, or designed for demanding applications. Others include electrical or mechanical on/off indicators.  

Relay sockets differ in terms of terminal type, the number of pins per blade, and socket receptacle style. Terminals are devices that terminate a conductor. They attach to posts, studs or other conductors in order to establish an electrical connection. Typically, these connections are made using screws or by soldering wires or pins. Crimp terminals use the physical compression (deformation) of a contact wire barrel around a conductor to make an electrical and mechanical connection to the conductor. Quick connect / disconnect terminals do not require the use of tools. Most relay sockets use 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, or 16 pins per blade. There are many different socket receptacle styles. Examples include octal or circular sockets, blade or lug sockets, and square or cube sockets. Miniature pin/blade sockets are often called “midgets”. PCB sockets are commonly available.

Mounting Styles

There are several mounting styles for relay sockets. Through hole technology (THT) mounts components on a printed circuit board (PCB) by inserting component leads through holes in the board and then soldering the leads in place on the opposite side of the board. By contrast, surface mount technology (SMT) add components by soldering component leads or terminals to the top surface of the board. Typically, the PCB pad is coated with a paste-like formulation of solder and flux. Some relay sockets have mounting holes or are designed for placement within an existing panel or structure. Others mount on a standard DIN rail. DIN is an acronym for Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN), a German national organization for standardization.  

• Tips for selecting relays
  a constant current. When relay contacts open, the voltage surges to keep the current constant. This surge causes arcing across the contacts. Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and computer-based controllers are great for handling logic and data-collection tasks for industrial controls. But when...
• Toys that teach
  meter, transformer, relay, and seven-segment LED display. Illustrated instructions show you how to build over 500 projects, plus 73 experiments you can do using a PC. The Snap Circuit Pro Series costs about $80 from Elenco (www.elenco.com), (847) 541-3800. Palm-sized flyer. The Silverlit PalmZ R/C...
• Tips For Selecting Relays
  supplies, PLCs don’t output enough current. A better idea is to let PLCs drive plug-in relays. In addition to switching current, relays have other benefits. A relay does an effective job of electrically isolating a PLC from power mains, transients generated by the load, and effects...