University of San Carlos

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Name: Ted Anthony C. Tarona

Course & Yr: BSEE-4

Subject: EE 411NL

Instructor: Engr. John Philip Baruc

Experiment No. 1
FAMILIARIZATION OF AN ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY

I. Objectives

To determine the main components of an electromagnetic relay and their corresponding

functions
To understand the operation of an electromagnetic relay by using it to control and
electrical lead

II. Materials
2 Relays
1 set pushbutton switches
1 Analog multimeter
Incandescent lamp with holder
Connecting wires

III. Theory

A relay is an electromagnetic switch that is operated by a small current that can turn on or
off a much larger electric current. The main component of a relay is an electromagnet. An
electromagnet is a coil of wire that becomes a temporary magnet when electricity flows through
it. Relays are useful because they bridge the gap, making it possible for small currents to activate
larger ones. That means relays can work either as switches (turning things on and off) or as
amplifiers (converting small currents into larger ones).

A relay is seldom used alone in controlling a load. It needs other devices like ordinary
switches to also control its operation. The most common of these devices is the momentary
pushbutton switch.
Contacts are the most important part of a momentary pushbutton switch. A pushbutton
may have normally open contacts (NO) or normally closed contacts (NC). The schematic
symbols are shown below:

Normally open (NO) and normally closed (NC) describe the state of the contacts in a
spring-loaded switch. Switch contacts can be open or closed. Closed contacts can conduct
through the switch, while open contacts cant. A spring-loaded switch uses spring force to hold
the contacts in one position or the other. The switch can have multiple sets of contacts, so some
contacts can be NC, while others are NO on the same switch. NC contacts will be closed when
the spring is in its more relaxed position. The contacts will open only when causes the contacts to
move from their resting position. NO contacts work the other way. They are normally open when
the spring is in its more relaxed position and close only when the switch is forced to its other
position.

IV. Procedure

Before the activity started, the instructor first gave the safety measures in using the
materials and emphasized that the instructor must first check the circuit before energizing it to
avoid accidents.
The experiment started by studying the construction of a momentary pushbutton switch.
The components and its functions were listed on a different paper. After studying the pushbutton,
the students were tasked to use the pushbutton switch to control an incandescent lamp. There
were 2 situations, (1) the contacts are normally open and (2) the contacts are normally closed.
Once the students were finished constructing the circuit, the instructor was called to check the
circuit before energizing it. The construction of an electromagnetic relay was studied next. The

students listed its main components and its functions. A diagram was studied by the students that
is using electromagnetic relay in controlling a lamp.

It was tested in two situations (1) normally open contact and (2) normally closed contact.
Lastly, the circuit was improved and a new situation was given: the student will press one
pushbutton and the lamp will light up but if the switch was released, the lamp will continue to be
lit unless the second pushbutton is pressed and the lamp is turned off.

V. Answers to questions

1. Compare the operation of an electromagnetic relay to a momentary pushbutton switch. Give

two significant similarities. Give two significant differences.

An electromagnetic relay is similar to a momentarily pushbutton switch because they

need an external force to either turn on or off. They also have a normally open (NO) and
normally closed (NC) variation. To be able to use an electromagnetic relay, it requires electricity
while a pushbutton switch is mechanically operated. To operate a relay, it requires an electrical
circuit, while a pushbutton switch does not.

2. Explain in detail the operation of the improved circuit as obtained in step (6) of the
experiment.

The ladder circuit constructed in procedure 6 can be divided into 3 parts. The first is
ON circuit, the OFF circuit, and the load circuit. When the pushbutton is pushed in the on
circuit the coil is turned on and the contacts are shorted, turning on the load lamp. To turn off the
lamp, the pushbutton of the off circuit is pushed. When pushed, the second coil is turned on and
its normally open (NO) contacts are shorted, while the normally closed (NC) contacts are

opened, opening the contacts that supply the first coil and the load lamp, effectively turning off
the load lamp.

3. The schematic symbol of a three-phase induction motor is given below. Design the control
circuit and the load circuit to control the switching on and off of the motor using an
electromagnetic relay.

VI. Conclusion

The objectives of the experiment were successfully achieved. The students were able to
know that an electromagnetic relay consists of a multi-iron coil, wound on an iron core, to form
an electromagnet. When it (the coil) is energized, by passing current through it, the core becomes
temporarily magnetized. The magnetized core attracts the iron armature. The armature is pivoted
which causes it to operate a set of contacts and the armature and contacts are released once the
coil is de-energized.