Thread: haunting with relays

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relays are a staple for any haunter and are the answer to alot of how do i ---- questions. a relay will allow you to switch high voltage like 120v using low voltage like 12v or 24v so that if you have a controller that outputs 12/24v you can use it to send a device 120v, you can also use high voltage to switch low voltage to allow you to switch on a battery powered device or a small circuit using 120v. so you could connect a relay to a fog machine controller in place of the fog button and when you send power 12/24/120v to the relay it will be just like pressing the fog button. so here is a run down of the basics of a relay.

how it works: Relay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
terms:
NO= normally open = the circuit is not complete until power is applied to the coil.
NC= normally closed = the circuit is complete until power is applied to the coil.
coil voltage = the voltage needed to activate the relay.

protective diode. if you do not have a relay with a diode built in you need to attach one your self, a diode will prevent a voltage spike from damaging your controller when you stop applying current to the coil. please see link for more information: Diodes

there are may different coil voltages the most common are: 12v 24v 120v

there are also many types of contacts/poles, you can have spst single pole single throw. which means the relay is a basic switch, when current is applied it turns on the switch (if NO ) or turns off the switch ( if NC )

spdt single pole dual throw. this relay has to has both NC and NO positions meaning when power is not applied the main contact is connected to the NC pole and when power is applied it switches to the NO contact.

dpdt dual pole dual throw. this is the same as spdt but has 2 sets of contacts like two relays with one coil, when power is applied both switch from NO to the NC so that you can trip 2 hings at one time.

4pdt four pole dual throw. this is the same as spdt and dpdt but with 4 sets of contacts.


here is the relay i use, it is an idec 4pdt 120v coil with diode. when power is applied to the coil whatever is connected to the 2nd pin from left will go to the 3rd pin from the left and disconnect from the last pin.

please note. information in this thread will differ depending on which relay brand and type you have, voltage ratings and pin placement should be used only as an example.
when working with electricity please be be careful and always unplug the circuit you are working on before touching or moving any part of the circuit. this circuit can be very dangerous, attempt at own risk.

for most relays you can buy a socket as an option, it is not required but will make connections easier and in the event that you need to replace the relay all you have to do is pop the relay out and put in a new one.

the power cord i am using is a 3 conductor and has a ground, the ground can't connect to the relay as it only has a positive and negative however if you use a metal enclosure you will need to attach the ground to the metal enclosure.



the first two pins the wires are coming off of are the coil pins, this is where you apply power to the coil to activate the relay. please note: the relay should specify which pin is positive and which is negative, this is very important to follow if you have a polarized relay or a relay with a protective diode.
you will notice the next rows of pins are in rows of 4 this is where the 4pdt comes in this is basically four relays in one with a single coil that operate at the same time.

the pins the orange wire is pointing to are the input pins, these are the pins that are sent to ether the NO or NC poles.

these pins are the normally open pins, these will connect to the input pins when power is applied to the coil.


these are the normally closed pins, these are connected to the input pins until power is applied to the coil.

here is one end of a low voltage cat 5 pair connected to the normally open poles. the other end would be connected in place of a switch to activate a low power device when power is applied to the coil.

this is the setup used for a fog machine remote. as most fog machines carry 120v over the remote switch you would need to have a relay rated for at least 120v across the poles.
you would also need to use wiring rated for 120v and NEVER CAT 5 when using 120v. you must also be very careful and not work on this circuit while the fog machine is plugged in.

more to come soon.

WOW! thats great!
JUST WHAT I NEEDED!!!!
where do you get those relays? and the sockets?
Got a link or maybe radio shack?
I have been looking for somthing on how to hook up my fog machine switches to my control box that is 120v...
Thanks alot!

the relays i have can be found here RY4S-UL-AC120 - IDEC RELAY, 4PDT, 5A, 120VAC, IND LIGHT, and sockets here SY4S-05 - IDEC SOCKET DIN RAIL/SURFACE 14-BLADE FOR RY4S, RM2S, GT5Y they are somewhat pricey though

you can also use one of these from radio shack RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Component parts: Relays & transformers: 125VAC/10A DPDT Plug-In Relay and ether solder on the wires or just get some of these RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: Connectors & connectivity: Crimp connectors & terminals: Male/Female Insulated Quick-Disconnects (8-Pack) but i am unsure of the size connector you would need. if you go the route you could go to radio shack and just see which one fits.

PERFECT! I will go with the ones from Radio Shack, there is one right by my house. Thank you very very much!

Originally Posted by guitarist155

relays are a staple for any haunter and are the answer to alot of how do i ---- questions. a relay will allow you to switch high voltage like 120v using low voltage like 12v or 24v so that if you have a controller that outputs 12/24v you can use it to send a device 120v, you can also use high voltage to switch low voltage to allow you to switch on a battery powered device or a small circuit using 120v. so you could connect a relay to a fog machine controller in place of the fog button and when you send power 12/24/120v to the relay it will be just like pressing the fog button. so here is a run down of the basics of a relay.

how it works: Relay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
terms:
NO= normally open = the circuit is not complete until power is applied to the coil.
NC= normally closed = the circuit is complete until power is applied to the coil.
coil voltage = the voltage needed to activate the relay.

protective diode. if you do not have a relay with a diode built in you need to attach one your self, a diode will prevent a voltage spike from damaging your controller when you stop applying current to the coil. please see link for more information: Diodes

there are may different coil voltages the most common are: 12v 24v 120v

there are also many types of contacts/poles, you can have spst single pole single throw. which means the relay is a basic switch, when current is applied it turns on the switch (if NO ) or turns off the switch ( if NC )

spdt single pole dual throw. this relay has to has both NC and NO positions meaning when power is not applied the main contact is connected to the NC pole and when power is applied it switches to the NO contact.

dpdt dual pole dual throw. this is the same as spdt but has 2 sets of contacts like two relays with one coil, when power is applied both switch from NO to the NC so that you can trip 2 hings at one time.

4pdt four pole dual throw. this is the same as spdt and dpdt but with 4 sets of contacts.


here is the relay i use, it is an idec 4pdt 120v coil with diode. when power is applied to the coil whatever is connected to the 2nd pin from left will go to the 3rd pin from the left and disconnect from the last pin.

please note. information in this thread will differ depending on which relay brand and type you have, voltage ratings and pin placement should be used only as an example.
when working with electricity please be be careful and always unplug the circuit you are working on before touching or moving any part of the circuit. this circuit can be very dangerous, attempt at own risk.

Hi guitarist155, I was reading your thread on the relays and found it very informative. I have a question concerning the type of diode that is used to go across the relay. I have some switching diodes , #1n914- Radio Shack p/n and was wondering if these would work. Thanks , bfjou812