Uses of power relay

Power is a concept that is mostly straight forward that we can use to express the strength of an electric current or force. But, power relay is discussed as a device which helps in generating electricity. It has become an invention that has not just simply come to exist but has its own history. The first use of this device can be traced back to a time when Samuel Morse invented telegraph. The credit of inventing it goes to one Jacob Schrader who was the only person who made a practical device made with a pair of electromagnets, which were used as switches for controlling the current flow in telegraph circuits. It uses includes;

1. Inventor and his contribution

They are used for helping the engineer to deal with high currents. One such device that was initially developed was a motor operated by this mechanism. Modern systems have to deal with currents of high voltage over long distances, which cannot be handled by simple switches. However, power relay can be used in switchgear that can help in managing these voltages and currents. With the development of newer types of relays, different types of them have come into existence. One such device is compound relay which uses a solid state switching device along with magnetic magnet to run higher current densities.

2. Development of power relays from telegraph to present day

Power relays were used for regulating the current flow in telegraph systems which were being used for long durations. The first development of power relays can be seen during this time. In 1879, Jacob Schrader had developed the first practical device which was controlled by a pair of electromagnets. This switch was used to interrupt the current flow in a circuit through the use of magnetic force and it is known as a reed switch. This was further improved by Edmond Berger and he named this relay as magnetic modulator.

3. Development of power relays in modern time

Most of the modern devices that are used for controlling high voltages or currents are made through the use of power relays. Many such devices that were derived from this concept have also been invented. One such device is a relay which is used for long distance transmission as well as distribution of power. It uses magnetic magnetics to close and open switch contacts in order to control voltage, which can be found at different locations including at local substations. A circuit breaker commonly known as an electric circuit breaker is also known as a power relay and it controls the flow of electricity within a given circuit.

4. Types of power relays

Power relays are used to control the flow of current in circuits. In order to regulate the flow of current, electromagnetic devices are used and these devices have been classified into different types. There are four basic types of power relays known as oil circuit breakers, vacuum circuit breaker, gas circuit breakers and solid state relays. Oil circuit breaker is a device that has an electromagnet enclosed within an airtight vessel which is filled with oil or water-based liquids. This vessel is pressurized and it helps in transferring the energy from the magnetic field to electrical contact. Two basic types of oil-filled circuit breakers that can be found include single-pulse and double-pulse type.