What the hell does a relay do?

darkstar_one

Registered User
somebody please in precise detail tell me what a relay does... cuz all i see is nothing put pins and stuff and i dont even know what it does... please somebody clear up my mind
 
Think of it as a remote controlled switch that can handle more power than most toggle or dash mounted switches. You usually ave one side hooked to constant power and the other side to the part you want power to. Then there is the switch mechanism. It's magnetically controlled by 12VDC(on vehicles). This is where the "remote control" function comes in. You either have it hooked to a power source that get spower when ignition is on, or when you flip a switch. Can also be controlled by temp sending unit. When the power is applied to the relay, it makes it a electromagnet which "flips" the relay causing the connectin between constant power and the pin to the lights or fan or whatever to be completed.
 
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