Wat is een 12v relais?
A 12V relay is an electrically operated switch that uses a low voltage signal to turn a high voltage circuit on or off. It is often used in cars, trucks, and boats to efficiently operate accessories such as horns and headlights without direct mechanical action.
Electromechanical relays work by activating an electromagnet to attract a set of contacts to make or break a circuit. They are mainly used for activating horns, headlights, and fan motors. A 4-pin 12V relay connects via a switch to both the positive and negative sides of the vehicle's power source, ensuring efficient power regulation.
How does a 12V relay work
Relays are installed between the power source and the electrical accessory that requires on/off power. When the relay is energized, the high current flows from the power source through the relay and directly to the component to operate the accessory.
When do you use a 12V relay
Relays are crucial when it comes to operating a circuit with a low power signal, where complete electrical isolation between the controlling and controlled circuits must be ensured. Additionally, relays are used to manage multiple circuits with just a single signal.
Connecting a 4-pin 12V relay
A 4-pin relay offers much flexibility and control options compared to other types of relays. These relays have four terminals that can be configured in various combinations of open and closed states, such as two open and two closed, three open and one closed, or all four open.
| Pin number | Connection | description |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | Control current input | The pin where the control voltage enters the relay, used to activate the coil. |
| 85 | Output control current | The return pin for the coil, usually connected to ground. |
| 30 | Ingang hoofdstroom | The common power input for the relay, the source of the main current. |
| 87 | Uitgang hoofdstroom | The output where the main current leaves the relay when activated, to the switched device. |
This versatility enables the control of complex circuits and adaptation to specific system requirements, such as managing multiple circuits with different current requirements simultaneously. 4-pin 12v relays use 2 pins (85 & 86) to control the coil and 2 pins (30 & 87) that switch the current in one circuit.
There are 2 types of 4-pin relays available; normally open or normally closed. A normally open relay switches the voltage ON for a circuit when the coil is activated. A normally closed relay switches the voltage OFF for a circuit when the coil is activated.
Connecting a 3-pin 12v relay
A 3-pin relay has three connections and is more limited in configuration, often only capable of functioning in a normally open state. This means that the current only passes through the relay when it is activated. Such relays are simpler and are often used for basic on/off switching tasks where no complex switching or multiple output configurations are required.
How do you connect a 4-pin relay?
To connect a 4-pin relay, connect pin 85 to ground and pin 86 to the control voltage to activate the coil. Pin 30 is connected to the power input and pin 87 to the device you want to switch. This switches the current when the relay is activated.
Canbus proof i-LS Relay
For the automotive industry, we recommend the i-LS Relays from Led Autolamps. The built-in microprocessor prevents unreliable error signals from being generated by indicator lights. This can be caused by the extremely low current consumption of LED lamps when installed on traditional incandescent lighting systems.
The i-LS relay is designed to be used in combination with our i-LS microprocessor. This allows you to reliably detect a fault in an LED indicator.
The system alerts the driver when an indicator is faulty by speeding up the turn signal.
Video: 12V Planet