2007-09-06 18:14:33 · 4 answers · asked by Neel K 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
A relay is a remote switching device with contactors which normally remain open and donot allow any current to pass through. There are two coils, one activated by low current and the other merely making a connection through a contactor to a circuit carrying higher amperes. This connection is held in place by the flow of the (high) current through its coil until another command is sent to the low current coil, which de-activates the other half by opening the contact.The job of a relay is to ensure that a circuit with a higher current is only activated when required and not otherwise.
2007-09-06 19:32:11 · answer #1 · answered by al_sheda 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Relay is a switch controlled by another electrical signal. Your car is controlled by low voltage and low current computer. Usually when something that is high voltage / high current needs to be switch, the signal is sent to a relay then the relay turn on the device.
If a ECU (computer) tried to turn on high power device directly, all that current will fry the ECU in under a second.
Good Luck.
2007-09-07 01:20:48 · answer #2 · answered by Lover not a Fighter 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
the automotive style relay is usually a small box with prongs sticking out the bottom. It uses a minute amount of power to connect or disconnect a higher amperage connection. In general use, it allows the expensive heavy wiring to be localized, and small pilot wires to be used in the dash and switches.
2007-09-07 02:33:11 · answer #3 · answered by nwmech221 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A relay is a race in which a baton is handed off between team mates where the one handing off stops running and the one recieving the baton starts running.
People, it is a joke, since the first person to answer was correct
2007-09-07 01:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by Gray Wanderer 7 · 0⤊ 5⤋