The operating condition of a relay primarily depends on the input signal applied to its coil. The design of the relay coil is tailored to handle different types of input signals, including continuous long-term signals and short-term pulse signals that repeat over time. Continuous operation means the coil can sustain the working signal for extended periods without failure. For pulse signals, factors like pulse frequency, duty cycle, and repetition rate must be carefully considered. Therefore, it's crucial to select a relay that matches the specific working conditions. It's not advisable to use relays indiscriminately, especially in situations where they might be subjected to continuous operation in a short period or under high-temperature environments.
When switching power loads—especially high-power ones—it’s important to pay attention to the switching frequency. Ideally, this should not exceed 10 to 20 times per minute. The maximum allowable switching rate can be calculated as: 0.1 divided by the sum of the maximum pull-in time and the maximum release time, measured in seconds.
In addition to operating under stable line and environmental conditions, relays must also account for dynamic characteristics such as pull-in time, release time, contact bounce caused by current fluctuations, and mechanical vibrations during contact closure. These factors can affect the reliability and performance of the relay over time.
The rated load of a relay refers to the maximum purely resistive load that the contacts can switch at a specified operating frequency within a defined number of operations (lifetime). When the load increases, the relay’s lifespan typically decreases. However, there is no universal relationship between load and life. Different relays have unique load-life curves, which show how their performance degrades under various load conditions. Understanding these curves is essential for proper relay selection and system design.