Pulse relay for lighting control, wiring diagram, device, principle of operation

Иpulse relay – an electrical device in which the output contact closes and opens when voltage (control signal) is applied.

The operation or disconnection of the contact group depends on the polarity of the pulse received at the input.

Closing the contact is usually confirmed by lighting the LED, and opening is confirmed by turning it off.

Scope

Pulse relays are used in various facilities where automated systems require the control of one or more places.

Main areas:

• organization of lighting in houses, supermarkets and other buildings;
• arrangement of a smart home;
• railways – providing dispatching and telecontrol;
• transmission of working signals;
• protection of more powerful equipment when the relay turns on / off other equipment;
• supply of electricity, taking into account the indications of the timer;
• alarm operation, etc.

What are the

Pulse relays are of two types – electronic and electromagnetic.

Electromechanical

A feature of pulse electromechanical relays is the consumption of electricity only at the time of operation of the contact group. Thanks to the locking mechanism, the reliability of the device is increased, and power consumption is reduced.

Such a system reliably protects against voltage surges, which can lead to erroneous operation of the equipment.

Structurally, pulse relays operating on the electromechanical principle consist of the following elements:

• coil;
• contact Group;
• on/off buttons.

Electromagnetic relays are more reliable and easy to use. They are not afraid of interference in the network, and there are no strict requirements for the installation site.

Electronic (digital)

Such impulse relays are based on an electrical circuit based on microcontrollers. Such a constructive solution allows you to “flash” more functionality (for example, a shutdown timer).

The presence of additional options allows the use of relays in the organization of complex lighting systems.

Structurally, they consist of the following elements:

1. Microcontrollers.
2. Coil-electromagnet.
3. Semiconductors.

Available with different types of fastening: DIN for electrical panels or for classic installation.

The difference between bistable and conventional relays

This principle is actively used in car power supply systems.

Main Specifications

When choosing impulse relays, it is necessary to look at the technical characteristics of the equipment.

The main parameters should include:

• I out – output current, represents the largest parameter in the coil after the armature exits;
• K woz – return coefficient, which is calculated as the ratio of two currents for the armature: output and retraction;
• I w – pull-in current, the smallest current parameter of the coil when the armature returns to its original position;
• Iset – setting current, which is set in the relay;
• U nom, I nom – nominal parameters of voltage and current, respectively;
• I cf – actuation current at which the contact group closes / opens when a control signal is applied.

When studying the characteristics of an impulse relay, it is worth paying attention to other parameters:

• rated frequency;
• degree of protection against moisture / dust;
• application category;
• the weight;
• pulling force of contact clamps;
• maximum cross-section of the connected wire;
• mechanical / switching resistance;
• own power consumption;
• control current;
• application category;
• controlled current, etc.

When installing, you will need data on the features of fastening and location in space (horizontal, vertical, arbitrary, etc.).

Устройство

There is a large selection of impulse relays on the market, differing in technical characteristics and design features.

The simplest impulse relay consists of the following elements:

1. Coil. An electrical element, which is a non-magnetic base with a wound copper wire. Electric cardboard or textolite can be used as a base. The task is the formation of an electromagnetic field and its effect on a magnet.
2. Core. Made on a ferromagnetic basis. When a magnetic field appears, it is in its zone of action and is used as a moving element.
3. Contacts. They are metal elements that operate or open when an impulse is applied. They can be fixed or move when the core moves.
4. Resistor, capacitance and other elements. Used to create the logic of the impulse relay and display its position (on or off).
5. Timer. Sets the time delay before triggering. Not installed on all types of devices. Allows you to send or remove a command after a while, which expands the functionality of the device.

Principle of operation

Standard circuits use walk-through switches, which are easy to use but require a lot of cabling.

To be convinced of this, it is enough to look at the connection diagrams of the pass-through switches for controlling the light from two and four places.

Pulse relays allow you to optimize 220 Volt lighting networks and simplify the lighting scheme.

Unlike the controller, which requires different signals, only one command can be transmitted to the impulse relay.

To consider the principle of operation, you can study one of the popular models – RIO-1.

The device provides the following types of inputs / outputs:

• control inputs (Y, Y1 and Y2) are located at the top of the relay;
• power contacts for supplying voltage and load – 11, 14 and N.

Each of the terminals has its own function:

• 11 and 14 – are used to supply phase and load;
• Y – enable or disable when a phase is applied, depending on the current state;
• Y1 – switching on, closing the contact group when voltage is applied (has priority over Y);
• Y2 – shutdown when a signal is given, is a priority signal in comparison with other inputs;
• N – supply of the 0th wire.

Together with the device there is a timing diagram, according to which you can see the principle of operation.

For convenience, it is divided into four sections.

1st:

1. Signal to Y. Appearance of voltage at the 14th output, turning on the lamp.
2. Repeated signal to Y. Removing the potential and turning off the light bulb.

2nd and 3rd:

1. Applying a pulse to Y1 – the appearance of voltage on the 14th, turning on the lamp.
2. The signal to Y2 is to turn off the voltage at the 14th input, turn off the light bulb.

4st:

1. Pulse on Y – potential on the 14th terminal, ignition of the light bulb.
2. The signal on Y2 is to turn off the lamp.

The presence of several such sections allows you to save money on wires and the purchase of walk-through switches.

Impulse relays with built-in timer

During installation, another type of impulse relay is increasingly used, but with a timer – RIO-2.

Switching on occurs by a button, and switching off – by a button or by a command.

After the signal is given, the device counts the time from 1 to 12 minutes, and then it works.

Connection Features:

1. Contact A1 and A2 from above – connection of phase and zero.
2. S – contact for receiving a pulse signal from a non-latching switch.
3. 18, 15, 16 – contacts, where 15 and 16 are normally closed, and 18 and 15 are normally open.

When connected as a control contact, you can use a neutral or phase wire.

1. Voltage is applied to A1 and A2.
2. A button is pressed to give a control signal.
3. Contacts 15-18 close. The light is on.
4. The button is pressed again. Opening contact 15-18 and closing 15-16. Removing the supply voltage from contacts A1 and A2 leads to the same effect.

It is allowed to connect up to ten buttons, which allows you to control lighting of any degree of complexity.

Connection diagrams

The impulse relay is used in circuits when the light is turned off from several points, for example, on the stairs, in different parts of the bedroom, dining room or other rooms.

Consider the basic connection diagram:

1. The phase from the machine goes to the 11th contact of the relay and push-button switches without fixing (the number may be different).
2. The Y contact receives a control signal from the other side of the transfer switches.
3. The potential from the 14th contact goes to the bulb, and from it to the “neutral” bus with contacts and to the N impulse relay.

In another scheme, two groups of devices are already used – two switches, two impulse relays, two pairs of push-button switches with a return, and two pairs of groups of light bulbs.

The convenience of such a scheme is that with the help of one switch you can turn off the light in the entire apartment.

The options for connecting an impulse relay may depend on the type, so for detailed recommendations, see the manufacturer’s operating instructions.

Schematic diagram.

Impulse sectional relay

A feature of such devices is the inclusion of different groups of light bulbs one by one or all at once with one button.

The device shows a connection diagram showing two buttons and, accordingly, the ability to control from two different points.

Consider the actions for each click:

1. The first is the inclusion of the 1st group of light bulbs.
2. The second is to apply voltage to the 2nd group of lamps and turn off the 1st.
3. The third is to save the on position of the second group and add the 1st group to it (turning on all the bulbs).
4. Fourth – turn off all the lights.

Important Tips

Before buying and installing an impulse relay, consider a number of points that will be useful when operating such equipment:

1. If possible, give preference to a relay with a timer. The presence of such an option will be useful in organizing lighting indoors and outdoors.
2. When installing a backlit switch, check with the dealer if the relay can work with such elements. In some devices, the presence of a resistor can cause false alarms or damage.
3. If there are kids at home, it is better to raise the power button to a greater height. Otherwise, children may play with the button and keep it pressed for a long time, which may cause damage.
4. All current-carrying elements during installation should be insulated with heat shrink or PVC.
5. When installing several impulse relays, it is advisable to choose devices with centralized control. They can be forcibly turned off by applying electric current to any contact.
6. To save money, you can remake existing switches by installing small springs under the buttons.

Pros and cons of an impulse relay

1. Low price due to more affordable components.
2. Load control with voltage up to 0,4 kV.
3. No influence of overvoltage, interference and powerful electrical installations.
4. Reinforced insulation between contacts and coil.
5. No cooling issues.
6. Harmless to the atmosphere.
7. Long lasting resource.
8. The possibility of using a large number of switches.
9. Small power consumption.
10. Simple installation when compared with mid-flight switches.

1. Long response time.
2. The appearance of radio interference when turning on / off.
3. Accelerated wear of moving parts.
4. Creation of electrical noise.
5. Loud noise at work.

Results

The impulse relay is an alternative to walk-through switches, allowing you to save on wire / equipment and increase the ability to create complex lighting schemes.

Depending on the situation, you can choose from regular models or devices with a timer, which include a delay before triggering.