1. Catalogs
  2. WAGO
  3. Overview Relays and Optocouplers

Overview Relays and Optocouplers

Overview Relays and Optocouplers
1 / 36 PagesView full catalog

Overview Relays and Optocouplers

Product catalog summary
Features and Advantages
Relays and optocouplers are crucial in electrical systems for providing electrical isolation, signal adjustment, and amplification. They are resistant to electromagnetic interference, have a long service life, and support high switching frequencies. Optocouplers and solid-state relays are particularly durable, offering wear-free operation.
Selection Criteria for Relays
Key factors in selecting relays include coil voltage, contact arrangement, switching time, mechanical properties, ambient temperature, and dielectric strength. The choice of contact material is vital for service life and depends on the load type (inductive, capacitive, or resistive).
Long Cables and 2-Wire Sensors
Relay modules need nominal voltage to activate, but low holding voltage can cause issues in circuits with long lines or active 2-wire sensors. WAGO's RC base load modules help minimize unwanted voltages, ensuring reliable switching.
Modern Lighting with Electronic Control Gear
Electronic control gear in modern lighting can cause high current peaks, risking relay contact fusion. WAGO provides relay modules capable of handling high peak inrush currents and optocouplers for capacitive loads.
Functional Safety
Relays with force-guided contacts are essential for safety-related circuits, allowing quick error detection. The EN 50205 standard specifies relay configurations to ensure safety.
The Contact Material is Crucial
Standard relay contacts are made of silver alloys, suitable for various applications but limited for small loads. Gold-plated contacts prevent oxidation and corrosion, ensuring reliability in harsh environments.
Relays with Manual Operation
Manual operation of relays is useful in building automation and process control, allowing independent system checks and troubleshooting without a controller.
Manual and Automatic Relay Modules
One version of relay modules is designed for manual operation with a limit of about 100 switching operations. Another version supports both manual and automatic operations without limitations, featuring an electrically connected relay coil and a Manual/OFF/Auto switch.
Relay Module Specifications
The document details various relay modules with different configurations, including 1 or 2 changeover contacts, nominal input voltage of 24 VDC, and varying limiting continuous currents. These modules have electrical and mechanical status indications.
Relays with Wide Input Voltage Range
These relay modules are suitable for DC and AC voltages from 24 V to 230 V, supporting continuous currents up to 6 A, ideal for service and maintenance applications.
Rail-Specific Requirements
Relays for railway applications must meet standards like EN 50155, operating at voltages between 70% and 125% of nominal voltage, withstanding spikes up to 1.4 times nominal voltage, and operating reliably under temperature fluctuations and mechanical influences.
Switching DC Loads
Switching DC loads requires advanced technology due to persistent DC arcs. The document discusses using series-connected contacts to improve load limit curves and extend relay service life.
Optocouplers and Solid-State Relays
WAGO offers optocoupler and solid-state relay modules designed for durability and wear-free operation, suitable for both DC and AC voltages, providing long service life and resistance to shock and vibration.
Conclusion
The document provides detailed specifications and applications for various relay modules, emphasizing their versatility, compliance with standards, and suitability for industrial and railway applications.
Glossary Overview
This document includes definitions and explanations of key terms related to relays and optocouplers, essential components in electrical engineering.
Key Terms and Definitions
  • Respond: Change in a relay's switching position from idle to working state due to power application.
  • Bistable Relay: Maintains its state after power is removed, requiring a reset to return to the initial state.
  • Inrush Current: Peak current allowed when a contact is switched on under specific conditions without malfunction.
  • Electrical Service Life: Number of switching cycles a relay can perform under specified conditions before failure.
  • Electromechanical Relay: A relay where electrical current causes mechanical movements to operate the output circuit.
  • Freewheel Diodes: Diodes used to protect against overvoltages when switching off inductive DC loads.
  • Electrical Isolation: Isolation between electrical parts preventing charge carrier flow, allowing power or signal exchange via non-conductive means.
  • Solid-state Relay: A relay with electronic switching elements, offering high switching frequency and wear-free operation.
  • Contact Type: Includes make contact, break contact, and changeover contact, each with specific configurations.
  • Creepage Distance: Shortest path between conductive parts along an insulating surface.
  • Short-circuit-protected: Protection mechanism in solid-state relays to prevent output circuit destruction during short circuits.
  • Load Category: Classification of loads for solid-state relays according to EN 62314, including resistive, motor, and capacitive loads.
  • Leakage Current: Current flowing in the locked state of an optocoupler's output stage.
  • Clearance: Shortest air space between conductive parts.
  • Mechanical Service Life: Number of cycles a relay can perform with current-free contacts before failure.
  • Monostable Relay: Returns to its initial state after de-energization.
  • Optocoupler: An electronic component that switches load current via a control circuit without mechanical parts.
  • Bounce Time: Duration from the first to the final closure or opening of a contact due to contact movement shocks.
  • Release Time: Time between coil de-energization and contact opening or closing.
  • Switching Inductive Load: Challenges and solutions for switching off inductive loads, including diode use to manage voltage peaks.
  • Switching Capacitive Load: Issues with high inrush current when switching capacitive loads, requiring current limitation.
  • Switching Resistive Load: Typically straightforward, but special considerations are needed for incandescent bulbs due to potential overcurrents.
  • Switching Cycle: Process of a relay responding and relapsing due to power switching.
  • Make Contact: A contact that closes in the working state and opens in the idle state.
  • Switching Current: Current that can switch a relay contact on and off.
  • Degree of Protection: Categories for relay protection according to IEC 61810, ranging from unenclosed to hermetically sealed relays.
  • Changeover Contact: A compound contact with both break and make contact functions.
Contact Information
WAGO Kontakttechnik GmbH & Co. KG provides contact details for headquarters, sales, order service, and technical support.
See more

Catalog excerpts

Overview Relays and Optocouplers-1

RELAYS AND OPTOCOUPLERS Application Overview

 Open the catalog to page 1
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-2

CONNECTION TECHNOLOGY This connection technology is included in the following: CAGE CLAMP? This connection technology is included in the following:

 Open the catalog to page 2
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-3

Relays / Optocouplers SELECTION CRITERIA FOR RELAYS It’s in the details LONG CABLES AND 2-WIRE SENSORS Reliably switch despite coupling MODERN LIGHTING WITH ELECTRONIC CONTROL GEAR Brief current peaks – fatal consequences FUNCTIONAL SAFETY Detect errors in safety-related circuits THE CONTACT MATERIAL IS CRUCIAL Small circuit loads / harsh environment RELAYS WITH MANUAL OPERATION Switch manually and electrically RELAYS WITH A WIDE INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE Versatile RAIL-SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS Master voltage fluctuations Ambient operating temperature and mechanical influences SWITCHING DC LOADS Improvement...

 Open the catalog to page 3
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-4

FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES Relays / Optocouplers Relay or Optocoupler? Relay Optocoupler/Solid-State Relay • Electrically isolate input and output circuits • Adjust different signal levels • Amplify and/or multiply signals Immunity to electromagnetic interference and transient voltages Long service life — no mechanical wear on contacts High, short-term overload on both input and output sides without losing functionality High switching frequency due to short switch-on and switch-off times Minimal switching loss/high switching power Unfazed by shock and vibration A single module switches both direct...

 Open the catalog to page 4
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-5

Distinguishing between Optocoupler and Solid-State Relay Solid-State Relay - Can be replaced in case of repair A large number of variants enhances application flexibility Seamless change from electronic to electromechanic and range switching element

 Open the catalog to page 5
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-6

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR RELAYS It’s in the details In industrial applications, relays are proven interface modules that can handle a variety of tasks. However, some points must be considered when selecting the right relay module. These points include the nominal voltage of the coil, as well as the number of relay break contacts, make contacts and changeover contacts. The contacts are important for the service life. The contact material has to be selected depending on whether inductive, capacitive or resistive loads will be connected. This application overview provides important information for...

 Open the catalog to page 6
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-7

3) Switching time Response time; drop-out time; switching frequency; bounce time 4) Mechanical properties Vibration resistance; shock resistance; size and space 5) Other criteria Ambient temperature; dielectric strength; mounting conditions, IP degree of protection; approvals

 Open the catalog to page 7
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-8

LONG CABLES AND 2-WIRE SENSORS Reliably switch despite coupling Reliability 24/7: WAGO’s sockets that have a miniature switching relay and base load module ensure safety and dependability at voltage levels below an application’s release voltage. To switch on, relay modules require the nominal voltage U . For operation, however, the holding voltage at only 15 % of the nominal voltage is sufficient. In standard circuits, all relay modules operate reliably. In circuits with long, parallel lines, in circuits with active 2-wire sensors or with digital AC control outputs, however, a low holding voltage...

 Open the catalog to page 8
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-9

Application example, line capacity (level measurement) Application example, 2-line sensors (parcel load detection) I Nominal Input Voltage V Limiting Continuous Current Relay module with 1 changeover contact, with integrated base load module Relay module with 1 changeover contact, with integrated base load module and gold contacts *To prevent the gold layer from being damaged, 30 VDC switching voltages and 50 mA currents shall not be exceeded. Higher switching power eventually evaporates the gold layer. The resulting deposits in the housing may reduce the service life.

 Open the catalog to page 9
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-10

MODERN LIGHTING WITH ELECTRONIC Brief current peaks – fatal consequences When switching on lamps, substantial current peaks briefly occur. The unwanted effect of wear and contact erosion can be prevented by lamp load relays. Equipped with electronic control gear (ECG), modern lights offer numerous advantages. They generate flicker-free light with high levels of efficiency. Both in planning new and replacing old lighting systems, the inrush current of the ECG must be a central focus. A capacitor in the input circuit of many ECGs causes a substantial current peak when switched on that can exceed...

 Open the catalog to page 10
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-11

CONTROL GEAR Relay selection for lamp loads Nominal Input Voltage V Limiting Continuous Current Relay module with 1 changeover contact and status indication, max. inrush current 120 A / 50 ms Relay module with 1 make contact and status indication, max. inrush current 165 A / 20 ms Solid-state relay module, zero voltage switch Solid-state relay module, zero voltage switch Relay with 1 make contact, Manual/OFF/Auto switch with feedback contact A = Automatik (AUTO) 0 = AUS 1 = Manuell EIN (MAN) 14

 Open the catalog to page 11
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-12

FUNCTIONAL SAFETY Detect errors in safety-related circuits Signal monitoring: Relays with force-guided contacts make it possible to quickly detect errors such as opening failures. To comply with relevant policies and regulations for functional safety, the use of special components is compulsory. These components must meet strict requirements. For relay modules, force-guided contacts with at least one break contact and make contact are required. They must be connected mechanically so that break contacts and make contacts cannot be closed or opened at the same time. This allows errors due to opening...

 Open the catalog to page 12
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-13

Short circuit Auxiliary break safety circi Relay selection for safety relays

 Open the catalog to page 13
Overview Relays and Optocouplers-14

THE CONTACT MATERIAL IS CRUCIAL Small circuit loads / harsh environment Prevent malfunctions: Relays with hard, gold-plated contacts are particularly well suited for switching small loads. Standard relay contacts are normally made of silver alloys such as silver nickel, silver tin oxide or silver cadmium. They are well suited for use in a variety of applications. However, they are limited to small loads, currents and voltages. The surfaces of the sliver alloys are prone to oxidation, which leads to an increase in contact resistance. It is not a problem when switching larger loads because ever...

 Open the catalog to page 14

All WAGO catalogs and technical brochures

  1. 789-665

    5  Pages

  2. 752-8400

    3  Pages

  3. WAGO Marking

    92  Pages

  4. Setup unit

    1  Page

  5. KNX IP 1.1 US

    6  Pages

  6. Safety Flyer

    8  Pages

  7. PCB/MCS 12/13 GB

    636  Pages

*Prices are pre-tax. They exclude delivery charges and customs duties and do not include additional charges for installation or activation options. Prices are indicative only and may vary by country, with changes to the cost of raw materials and exchange rates.