A relay module is an electrical component. Various industries use this circuit board that houses one or more electric switches or relays in different circuits and electrical projects.
Relay boards are important to commercial, residential, and industrial project units due to their functionality. With the technological advancements and other factors affecting contemporary people's lives, relay companies began to manufacture and design top-quality products.
Readers seeking more information regarding relay boards will find relevant information in this article. They will also discover the in-demand and leading manufacturers. These industry players deliver the optimal custom specifications for all their customers' relay needs.
What Is a Relay and Its Purpose?
A relay is an electrically operated switch. This electromagnetic device includes a set of contact terminals. Moreover, a relay consists of sets of input terminals for multiple and single control signals.
Different industries use a relay switch to control circuits via an independent low-power signal. This situation also happens when one signal must control several circuits, as seen in warehouses and factories.
Furthermore, relays come in various kinds. Solid state relays have solid-state electronic components. These parts do not have any moving elements compared to electromechanical relays, which heighten long-term usage reliability.
Unlike electromechanical relays, solid state relays switch more often and are faster and more silent. They are used in passenger cars, trucks, buses, agricultural and specialty vehicles, and construction machinery.
Depending on application and design, electromechanical relays are usable with DC or AC currents. They can handle huge amounts of current. Electromechanical relays can control high-powered circuits with low-power signals.
They are also used for detecting faults on distribution and transmission lines. These relays are helpful in battery or circuit isolation.
Other relays are the SPDT relay or Single Pole Double Throw relay and the DPDT relay or Double Pole Double Throw relay.
Control systems commonly use SPDT relays. It can switch one circuit off or on or between two different circuits.
In practical situations, SPDT relays are useful for controlling a motor by switching the power supply off or on. Users can also use this relay type to switch between two lighting circuits.
On the other hand, a DPDT switch includes two pairs of switching positions. It lets the relay control two independent or separate circuits as they operate independently.
Similar to SPDT switches, DPDT relays are for control systems. They facilitate the management of multiple devices or switching between multiple circuits.
For example, DPDT switches control two motors. Users can perform this step by switching the power supply off or on for each motor separately. Other relay types include IoT relays, wi-fi relays, and home automation relays.
Meanwhile, relay modules or relay boards are circuit boards that come in many different sizes and shapes. Most of them are rectangular, with 2, 4, 8, or 16 relays mounted.
Relay boards include other parts besides the relay unit. These components include protection diodes, LEDs, resistors, transistors, and other parts. Relay boards may have one or many relays on them and other components to deliver protection and isolation.
Practical Application of Relay Modules
Various industries use relay modules. In the following information, readers will discover more about these circuit boards' use cases in practical situations:
1. Power distribution
Electricity's flow is controllable by relay boards. The units of electrical equipment can isolate faulty circuits. Additionally, relay modules prevent damage to power equipment and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC systems like electric fans, air conditioners, heaters, etc.
2. Home automation
Smart homes use relay boards to control home appliances and fixtures, such as lights, when switching them off and on. The circuit boards are also used for controlling the room temperature and opening and closing doors and windows.
3. Robotics
Users of relay modules can control the movement of a robot's different parts, including its arms and legs. Plus, they can control the motors and actuators' movements with the electronic device.
4. Automotive sector
In the car industry, relay modules play an important and useful role. They help control the different parts of a vehicle, such as its motor, sensor, and lights.
5. Industrial automation
Industrial settings use relay modules to manage current loads and high voltage. Other industrial automation applications of these circuit boards include controlling the motors, pumps, and other significant equipment in warehouses and factories.
Relay modules are electronic devices that are important components of electrical and electronic circuits. These five scenarios show how important they are in real-life scenarios.
Best Relay Modules
1. Fuji Electric
Fuji Electric Company Limited is a Japanese electrical equipment provider. It started in the business of manufacturing powerful solutions in 1923.
Fuji Electric has satisfied customers worldwide as a manufacturer of many technological and industrial products. Moreover, this relay board maker is committed to satisfying its clients' demands via its many indication, controlling, and sensor devices.
Fuji Electric offers various types of relays, including microcontroller relays, time delay relays, and so forth. Clients recommend this firm's products due to the following advantages:
a. Expertise in producing various equipment
For 100 years, Fuji Electric has offered high-quality relay modules and other types of electrical equipment. It also manufactures flowmeters, motors, inverters, and gas analyzers.
Pressure transmitters, generators, pumps, controllers, and integrated circuits are Fuji Electric's other products that help clients worldwide.
b. Eco-friendly campaign
Fuji Electric is among the world's hallmarks of innovation in environmental and energy technology. This industrial relay manufacturer addresses ecological and social problems while continuously pursuing movements for Japan to achieve economic growth.
Additionally, Fuji Electric works to help its international clients achieve a sustainable and responsible society via business and energy. Its management policies and corporate philosophy coincide with the global society's aims.
Fuji Electric also delivers renewable energy solutions. It promotes automation, energy conservation, and power stabilization.
2. Numato Lab
Numato Systems Private Limited, or Numato Lab, is a top maker of relay boards and a market leader today.
As a relay controller maker, Numato Lab opened for business in 2011. Since then, it has strongly emphasized quality in all its offerings.
Numato Lab's main concentration areas are data acquisition systems, accelerated automation, and computing. This Bluetooth relay provider also focuses on Field Programmable Gate Array or FPGA-based systems.
Numato Lab's customers include individual users, academic institutions, Original Design Manufacturers or ODMs, and Original Equipment Manufacturers or OEMs. They enjoy cutting-edge solutions delivered by Numato Lab.
Satisfied clients recommend this company for offering the following benefits:
a. Supports many application programming interfaces or API calls
One of Numato Lab's advantages over its rivals is its ability to give clients many choices. Among these options are Python C and Java. Plus, customers can benefit from LabView, Perl, Visual Basic, and many others.
Numato Lab ensures that its customers can work with the programming languages they feel most comfortable with.
Moreover, this USB relay manufacturer believes flexibility is important in delivering top-quality products and services. As a leading wireless relay maker, Numato Lab is committed to meeting its clients' unique needs.
Numato Lab lets its customers accelerate their development processes and streamline their workflows by offering support for several programming languages. Thus, clients gain a competitive edge in their particular sectors.
b. Powerful and user-friendly solutions
Numato Lab designs relay boards to be easily added to any product or project. This electric switch manufacturer uses materials and follows processes that enable it to offer its clients the best services and products.
Numato Lab's data acquisition and automation systems are durable and reliable. Moreover, this firm's developers build accelerated computing and FPGA offerings that deliver unmatched performance.
c. Highest-quality products
Numato Lab is dedicated to providing customers with premium-quality solutions that meet the highest-quality benchmarks and surpass client expectations.
This electrical switch manufacturer uses only the highest-quality parts and materials for its products like Power-Over-Ethernet relay. Hence, customers can feel assured that their orders are efficient and dependable.
d. Customized solutions
Numato Lab's team works closely with clients in designing and developing General-Purpose Input/Output or GPIO modules. Their reliable relay modules that ensure optimal performance meet clients' particular requirements.
Numato Lab believes quality is the key to keeping long-lasting customer ties. Hence, this maker of premium-quality Ethernet relays has gone above and beyond to ensure its offerings meet stringent quality standards.
e. Top-notch customer service and fast delivery
Numato Lab is committed to delivering first-rate client service. Its experts are always ready to help customers with their issues or inquiries.
Furthermore, Numato Lab understands that it can succeed as an electric switch manufacturer if it understands client satisfaction well. Thus, this Modbus relay maker does its best to offer the highest level of customer support.
Numato Lab also assures its clients that their orders are processed and shipped in five business days, regardless of the customers' location, as Numato Lab highlights the significance of timely solutions delivery.
3. ABB
ABB Limited is a Zürich, Switzerland-headquartered relay board maker. This Swedish-Swiss multinational corporation opened for business in the year 1988.
ABB has been among the world's electrical equipment manufacturing leaders for over three decades. It has also been a Fortune 500 firm for more than 20 years.
ABB's clients are based worldwide. This relay manufacturer has been a trusted brand because of the following advantages it delivers:
a. Decades-long expertise
ABB has satisfied its global customers with its prime experience and innovation expertise. As a preferred device and electrical component brand, this company is a leader in technological product development.
b. Advanced relay product features
ABB has established a solid foundation in digitalization and automation. This advantage means that its relay offerings consist of high-quality modern parts.
Hence, ABB's various clients have trusted this company for a long time. They include the world's largest business organizations and individual households.
c. Safe products
ABB's relay boards safeguard network assets versus life-threatening events, such as fire and electrical short-circuit incidents. They offer continuity for power consumers.
d. Aligned with international standards
ABB's relays and relay boards are aligned with global benchmarks. These premium-quality electrical switches and equipment passed strict quality assurance evaluations.
Furthermore, ABB offers its customers legitimacy with its list of patents and certifications. These advantages give contemporary scope and multifunctionality protections.
4. ComatReleco
ComatReleco is among the world's major suppliers of high-quality relay modules and all types of contractors. This Worb, Switzerland-headquartered company has one of the broadest offering portfolios. ComatReleco delivers customized solutions to its clients.
Among the advantages of choosing ComatReleco include the following:
a. Continuous product development
ComatReleco is committed to maintaining its relay products' superior qualities. Its team is engaged with non-stop investment in research and development.
Moreover, ComatReleco continuously performs consistent innovation as it engages with the latest technologies.
b. Wide product portfolio
ComatReleco offers many relay types. This electric switch manufacturer's core competencies include contractors, monitoring, industrial, and time relays.
ComatReleco installs its offerings based on the newest semiconductor technologies. Besides the latest machinery, this company also uses conventional electromechanical designs for its products.
c. Global and multi-industry client base
Since 1970, ComatReleco has been a supplier of contractors and relays. It has many patents and certifications proving the company's dependability and legitimacy.
Thus, clients based worldwide have trusted ComatReleco for over 50 years. These customers are in the transportation and rail segments. ComatReleco also serves clients in the building installation and industrial automation sectors.
Other industries served include residential, commercial, and more. ComatReleco's country organization or distributors represent it on every continent worldwide.
5. Schrack Technik
Schrack Technik is a leading Austrian technology company. It specializes in products and solutions for information technology, power and electrical equipment, and data distribution.
This Vienna-headquartered firm also manufactures network and data systems for different industries.
Schrack Technik's business priorities are power safety, network technology, optimization, and data security. It has been in the technology and electrical business since 1920.
Satisfied customers recommend this component supplier and data and energy technology provider. It is due to the following benefits this company offers:
a. High-quality and assorted product line
Schrack Technik delivers various offerings for economical, convenient, and secure power distribution and energy use. It manufactures premium-quality relays. They include voltage monitoring relays that involve types like 12V relays and 24V relays.
Additionally, companies needing high or low-current relays can depend on Schrack Technik because among its product lines are current-monitoring switches.
b. Environmentally conscious
Schrack Technik engages in activities that efficiently use energy and resources. This relay manufacturer avoids environmental damage in its operations.
c. Customer-centric services
Schrack Technik offers the best customer service. This relay board maker's team ensures clients are at the center of everything they do.
Moreover, its responsive personnel records its customers' needs and requests and continuously comes up with new innovative ideas.
Schrack Technik is focused on its corporate social responsibility as well. This company has achieved a strong market presence in Central Europe by establishing subsidiaries.
Fuji Electric, Numato Lab, ABB, ComatReleco, and Schrack Technik are today's five best providers of relay module solutions. They have a track record of producing highly versatile electric switches and boards that clients worldwide have benefited from and appreciated.
These five firms are also lauded for their continuous innovation efforts. They transform relays from the traditional types with electromagnets to contemporary ones, including programmable relays invented using advanced operating principles.