Relay 101
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Added: 3 years ago
From: thebiggerpicture718
Views: 144,943
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  • Man, thank you for making this video! I learned alot! Thank You!

  • this video really helped me ignore the haters and trolls

  • thanks, you explain very clear. wiring a motorcycle, just watch 3 other vids. yours was sweet

  • thank you

  • Great tutorial thanks

  • Confusion may be coming from the term "amplify" those fully versed in electronics will know that that isn't the case....but the scope of these videos are for "basic" understanding..."control" may be the term electricians are more familiar with...but it may have taken slightly more explanation to get that across to everyone without an electronics overview...so forgive that....but the end result is the same...relays are not really "amplifiers" they do control more current once the coil is active

  • For anyone needing help understanding this concept..google 30/40 relays...u will see that these relays can control 30 to 40 amp current outputs once the coil is active...try getting that type of current from a remote wire WITHOUT a relay...hope this helps...

  • @niko....please do simple research man...relays DO amplify current...if u think they do not then get an ammeter...measure the current supplied to terminal 86 when connecting saaaay a remote wire from an audio head unit as per my example....those are very low current outputs....however when connected to the relay...the relay, once active can control a much higher current output through 30 and 87...don't believe me, test for yourself...thanks have a good day...happy studying

  • If I'm not mistaken Relay and solenoid act like a switch using electromagnetic..e.g circuit breaker in our house.

  • Thanks thats the best video about relays that i've seen on you tube, now i can install the auxiliary lamps on my car

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  • Great explanation make sense...to compare to others....well done...Thanx for the knowlegde about how relay works..........

  • Man your video was so good to watch. Came across it by accident think by typing in SPDT relay, cause didn't understand SPDT meant. I'm in basic auto electronics 101 right now and we don't get shown or explained too much of anything, and when do get to watch a video they're really old (from late 70's) and boring. Relays, transitors, resistors are confusing in this book, haven't used them yet, just the dvom so far, but you explained this SPDT relay typ in way could understand, thank you!!

  • sound's like u have been doing this for awhile....explanes alot thank's

  • Nice vid, My questions is : since there is (4) settings, why is there (5) wires sticking out of the harness? I am installing a car alarm and I dont know if all wires should be connected since i have an extra wire from the relay that I do not know where it should go. Please help

  • I will suggest you to use a digital VOM capable to test a high current and try to connect the digital VOM in series to the wire that goes to #30 or #87, What is the current reading with relay? And test again the current reading without the relay? is it increased more than the supplied current of the 5Amp Stereo or not?

  • @jeancruz01 ur confusing urself it seems. the current that is going through 87 and 30 is not the ORIGINAL current from the trigger. The trigger current (85 or 86) can be low current. Measure that with ur dmm u can see that its milliamps. When it activates the coil to CONTROL a LARGER (increased or "amplified") amount. A constant source of voltage (12volts in my field) is supplied to 30 or 87 and thats whats being sent out with a current of up to 30 0r 40 amps..The relay does this...

  • That is ok.....the current that goes thru 85-86 doesn't have any other purpose then to start the switch......Thanks to uploader on his god will to teach...but it is very very wrong that he is saying about amplification......there is no such device....

  • @jeancruz01 measure the trigger current with ur dmm...(the source u apply to 85 or 86)...then measure the current that comes from 87 or 30 as an output...and if u still tell me that the current is the same i give up....i dont know what else to tell u...

  • And for u guys that are into electronics please dont confuse "amplified" for a gain increase or whatever as in IC's. Im just using this term here to show that the current flow can be controlled and increased at the output end...Increase= amplified in this context.

  • its true that the coil inside used only a small amount of current to energized.

  • i disagree that a relay can amplify current. Transistor is a device that can amplify current.

  • A relay acts much like the light switch but instead of using a finger to change the state of the contacts, a small magnet is used. The magnet is actually an electrical coil that has a magnetic pull when energized. The pull of this magnet closes or opens the contacts of the switch which completes the high-current circuit.

  • @jeancruz01 this comment here is absolutely correct...ok so u do understand...however...u MUST see that in absence of the relay closing the contact the higher current needed for certain applications would not be present...the relay is the device that is allowing this to happen...so call it what u want the relay is doing more than a switch or switch and fuse combo can do..The Relay itself is allowing this higher current to pass when it is triggered.

  • @jeancruz01 another way to look at it is...without the relay, what would u USE to make (insert whatever circuit u want, that need more current to operate) the circuit work...ie keeping 5 amplifiers on with one remote wire, or a trunk popper with a low current alarm output? If u want me to word it differently i will because the relay is actually "controlling" higher current using a low current...BUT the end result is the current is AMPLIFIED so that the circuit can operate..thanks to the relay

  • I beg to differ @jeancruz01. Hmmm how can i explain this one. OK lets try this....follow me if u can. Alarm auxiliary out put. 250ma output. Now we have a trunk that needs to be popped with that output. If i connect that output to the trunk release wire it would not pop it...Not ENOUGH current to get the job done. If i ran it through a relay with the proper connections it will pop it. Why? If u want a real explanation u have to email me thebiggerpicture718@gmail.com no space here. but it does..

  • If you have a digital voltmeter you can try to test how much current runs through #30 - #87 (with relay), and without the relay you, try to test how much current runs through #30 - #80 and compare your reading..

  • A RELAY ACTS ONLY AS A SWITCH!!! IT CAN NOT AMPLIFY CURRENT!!!

  • A relay acts only as a switch! it can not amplify current!!! The coil inside the relay when energized, it will act as a magnet and the #30 - # 87 is a metal and then it will attract to each other.. The 30AMP indicated in the relay is the current that the relay can handle or else if you put morethan 30AMP rated in the relay the relay will surely damaged!!! just like a Fuse (Fuse = 5) this fuse can only handle 5AMPS current and if a current passed thru a fuse morethan 5AMP the fuse will damaged!!!

  • @5:25 does relay can amplified current?????? i think relay is just a switch coil lever.

  • How does it amplify the current? I get that it closes the switch but how does that make the current stronger?

  • WOW!! thats some awesome stuff! thanks for teaching me about relay's! now i better understand them and how they work!

  • SaaaaWeeeeeeeeeet!

  • why are you using 87 for you output, most people use 30 as the output.

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  • just the basics i needed

  • Thanks for the walk through. This will help me gigantically

  • nice

  • where is an relays for?

  • Thanks for helping me understand relays better, you really are a huge help to people like me dude. Thanks again.

  • Thumbs up

  • please help, my car was on and i accidently touched the negative terminal of the battery with a ratchet, since then car wont start. Cranks good but wont start. Starter works,battery good, half full gasoline. when i turn the key to the on position, i can hear the fuel pump turn on, does this mean that my fuel pump relay is not damaged and please give me your thought on what i should do. i have a multimeter and good knowledge on fixing but cant figure out problem. Honda civic 98 ex please help

  • nice video man :))

  • So does every head unit that has a remote have enough to power a relay? As in one about the ssize you have there.

  • KE HACE AHI EL PICHA

    ' xd

  • 4:15 The Remote Turn-on lead provides 12V & low amperage (to signal the amps that they need to power up), not simply +5A. And lead #30 should be hooked straight to the battery, not the head unit.

  • Thank you

  • My first time installing an alarm remote starter that contains a relay for starter killer. I found this very helpful. Thanks.

  • Excellent video! very instructive! 2 thumbs up!

  • good job man this video was awesome 

  • your great thanks

  • Uh. Yea... at 5:30 when you say "amplified". That's completely inaccurate.

  • Good job. It helped me out a lot for my Diesel class.

  • THANK YOU BRO U ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS THUMBS UP

  • hey biggerpicture, i really need help with a power supply for a set of LEDs i want to put in my car, if you PM me. ill tell you more about it but i really heed you help.

  • 2.)

    I been searching Youtube for any info on LED flasher relays and come across your vid. Caps will be a another great video. What would we do without capacitors when it comes to the big audio amps, they are also great filters. I been zapped by them a few times in my life lol... not fun...

  • 1.)

    TBP: I been into electronics all my life, I am a ham radio operator for 15 years and have degrees in electronic circuit etc etc. Installed many car audio systems and droves of other electronic projects including transmitters, microwave systems, Vhf repeaters etc and I can say you did a great job in this instructional presentation. You explained it perfectly and want to say thank you for even taking the time to do so. CONT>

  • i have a 3 pin relay with 86, 87, and 85..how can i wire it for my gof lights??

  • nice job explaining it keep up the videos

  • how do you hook up a remote to a motorcycle air ride, i like how you explain it, but im confused with the motorcycle relay it has a 30 85 86 87 but confused what goes where, instuctiion says put 85 and 86 to ground but that doesnt make sense as per your instuctions, please help

  • where can one order the Relay PART and not the compressor,

    im looking for a relay for a ML90FR COMPRESOR

  • nice video, now i understand the concept fully.

  • Great examples!

  • this is a great video...easy to follow with a little knowledge of installation. u should post a vid on how to run a relay (isolator) for batteries when ur system is engine is turned off.

  • nice video well explained but you are incorrect on your amplification that just doesnt happen with a relay, 85 86 are totally independent of the contacts check your own schematic? where is the connection from 86 to any of the contacts its wrong sorry had to point that out

  • @coolmechanic it keeps a sustained (bufferd) so to speak current. If your head unit produces 12.4 at the remote and its passed through a relay,the constant with the car ON will be a rough 14.9 it sustain 13 or there abouts.if it didnt like you say why would they exist in car audio? ehhh?

  • thanks a lot for sharing and your very good explanation!!! grazie mille !!!

  • very nice video, good explanation. bro, keep it coming

    sgh.

  • Thank you so much man. This cleared the fog out of my mind. Im studying and all this is priceless!!!!!

  • i have a 73 duster. i just reinstalled the wire harness and the starter relay keeps breaking. The relay works a few times and then just one click. all the wires look clean. I now start it by jumping the relay and i dont want to replace it until i fix the wiring. any ideas?

  • its cool to see that u know what ur talking about. there are not a lot of black techs where im from. keep the vids coming

  • I have a question, do you hace any circuit about using a relay to make a tact alarm, an example open the ignition and need to touch a metal device to flow the current. thanks.

  • I have a little imagination and knowledge, but this is a great explanation or refresher and pretty much every question I see posted about this video is explained in the video itself.

  • great video

  • Thank you for giving time to explain it...

  • That just explained it perfectly, thanks man.

  • can you use a realy to increase volatge mean can i you a relay to power multipul iteams if so how do i do that l

  • how does a relay increase the power output

  • how can i power my amps each to use turn on/off switches? thanks

  • i never understood this until now. dude this video is really excellent.. now i could put as many amps i want in my car. thanks

  • thank you so much....ur cool man

  • can you explain more how does the relay amplify current? thanks

  • kudos for you my brotha....i subscribed. keep up the good work.

  • thanks for the sub...im working on a serious custom car audio project...i will post a vid of that soon

  • Amazing video!!! Keep up the good work man!! I think your video can rewire my power folding mirrors, since I'm using 3 relays haha! Once again great job on the video man!!

  • Thank you! I found this very helpful.

  • your welcome, glad i could help

  • Excellent video.thank god we have people like you posting there video on youtube!

  • i got a problem with the fuel pump of a gmc truck but the fuse blow up when i start the engine i want to now if the fuse goes before the relay or after the relay because the relay can be the problem

  • fuse goes before the relay definitely

  • Very impressive explanation.

  • thank u very much, please be patient as more videos are to come on relays and car audio electronics in general

  • excellent video

  • thank you very much

  • You have a gift or knack for explaining.

    wish I can replae you with all the current instructors at canadian colleges,lol.

  • lol thats interesting to know...thank u very much for the compliment.

  • great easy to understand info. Subscribed

  • thank u. all subscriptions are very much appreciated, Please stay tuned for more videos in the future...lol Im just looking for a good video editor

  • 5 Stars!

  • thank u!

  • Very, understanding video.thank's

  • your welcome...

  • good video

  • thank u

  • I have watched several vids on electronics and this is the most informative so far. I really understand about the electromagnetic switch now. Please use a tripod if possible. Great work!

  • Thank you very much..Tripod on the way...hahaa...And a second part to relay 101 is in the works as soon as I do Bluetooth 101 and finish up some work here at the shop

  • Best explanation so far !!!

  • Thank you very much..I appreciate that

  • Awesome!

    Really helped me understand relays.

  • Glad I could help you understand this

  • This was great information. Thanks from Queens NY

  • thank you for this vdeo. ( by Carlo Italy )

  • You are definitely welcome

  • this is the probably the best explanation of relays that i have found...thanks!

  • No, thank you! I appreciate your comments

  • thanks man.. really helpful!

  • why use such a heavy relay when you could just use a simple power npn transistor and 50ohm ressitor . bam theres your power.

  • Very true...but in car audio applications we tend to rely heavily on the use of relays for some reason...lol...plus this is relay 101

  • where's the capicotor 101??

    I was looking for it in your other vids buts its not there.

    I like this one. nice vid

  • Capacitor 101 is gonna be good...its coming in about 2 weeks from 2day...sorry for the long wait....

  • good vid clearly explained. thanks

  • continue from previous post...

    Then when i turn on the parking lights, it'll energize the coil and switch the 87a to 87, the 87 which is empty and not connected to anything, in theory turning off the leds.

    is this correct? thanks!

  • i hope you still checking your comments. I am trying to use a relay for a simple setup. I have leds that i want on when the car is on, and off when the headlights/parking lights are on.

    86 will go into the positive parking light wire. 85 into ground.

    30 into 12v+

    and 87a in negative for the leds.

    So since 87a and 30 is on the close position, it should light up when i start the car right since the positive and negative will make contact in the close position lighting the led?

    continue...

  • men you realy help me a lot ty very clear 101

  • excellent video,

    you should do a part 2 of this, that would be a hit.

    Im using this for an engine swap a 2jzgte in a 240sx.

    thank you, from Queens NY

  • Part 2 is on the way right now...thanks for the responses..Im back on my grind now...more 2 come very shortly

  • Comment removed

  • I too have a few good vids, check them out. Then do a search on photobucket for sparky3489 to see what I do.

  • I sure will....it's all about networking for me.

  • What kind of amp are you using that has a 2 amp draw on the REM?!?!?! Most are no more than 300mA. You are right about a relay and more than two amps because the REM out on a HU can only supply about 1/2 amp.

  • Definitely bro, just an example though...stay tuned for some really interesting vids we're workin on...real soon..

  • Thanks for posting this video...good information, now I have a better understand of relays and why the guys in the audio install shop are so relay happy! Very cool stuff... thanks.

  • I'm sorry to have to say this but you have some major misconceptions about relays:

    A relay "DOES NOT" generate, amplify or boost anything, and a relay does not reverse polarity as you explained it.

    A relay is just a switch, a break in a wire, that gets connected or disconnected by the coil. The coil is totally isolated from the contacts.

    I suggest you take down this video, correct

    it then re post it, as you are seriously misleading people.

    Good luck.

  • I explain relays for car audio purposes...I definitely appreciate your opinion, but in car audio we generally accept the relay applications to reverse polarity and amplify milliamp situations, and other things...but yes it is a switch and is isolated from a circuit...we use it for isolation as well.. thank you for the input though.

  • What I stated above is the facts on how a relay works,. not an opinion. You seem to know how to "use" a relay, but not really understand how it works. Again, a relay doe not "amplify", an amplifier amplifies, ( check (Ohm's law) and if you put 12v+ in a relay, you can't get 12v- out, or vice versa. What you can do is, bring power in to a load "through" a relay, not "from" a relay (which is just a switch) or ground a load through a relay which you call "reverse polarity".

  • I will agree 2 disagree, no problem...the applications I explained are accepted widely in my industry...They actually stem from the MECP manual..so I'm confident in continuing my explanations without fear of misleading anyone.

  • Fair enough.

    What I see here s that the "applications" are correct, but the "explanations" are misleading. I'm a industrial/commercial electrician, and I think I have a pretty good understanding of relays, since I have to install and troubleshoot industrial controls.

    Wish you the best.

  • definitely fair...i appreciate your input...i am an advanced MECP certified technician, a cerified IASCA judge, and a car audio instructor at a technical school. So this is what the industry is teaching...may be a bit different from your field so i definitely will keep what you say in mind..thank you

  • I agree. But I think he just narrated the video a little poorly. If or when you go to talk about relay's again. I would use the word "Switched" instead of boost, amplify or generate. Other wise Good job on the Video. A lot of good info.

  • Note taken...thanks

  • yoo ma niggaaaaa goooodlookzz!!!!!!

  • reguarding the 86-87 (+ -) will it still work if i switch the poles?

    -noobie

  • 86 and 87 are not really important for what ur sayin. I believe u mean 86 and 85 which are the coils. And for general purposes yes they are interchangable. But as a rule of thumb car audio installers usually leave 86 as positive, and 85 as negative.

  • very good vid lots of info

  • Thanks, Just what I needed!

  • Ive ask people to explane how a relay works, they say just hook up the wires. Becouse of you....I GET IT.....Thank you.

  • Awesome! You are excellent teacher man. Can you also explain how transistor and diode works :) Thanx!

  • I will definitely post a video on diodes and transistors. Very soon actually. Thanks for tuning in.

  • fucking brilliant man you explain everything perfect tutorial/explenation

  • Super Bosch 12v Relay Tutorial! Five Stars for ya!

    Take Care,

    John

  • Thanks John. Please stay tuned to the channel as we will review and explain car audio products and electronics quite regularly.

  • Good Job. I know this will help people understand how a realy works.

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