It is often necessary to periodically turn on and off a certain electrical appliance. It can be a fan motor or the same heater. However, it is impossible to constantly be nearby to perform these actions, because then you will have to hire separate people who will be on duty around the clock at the launcher. In this case, the installation of special equipment that will support the necessary cycles will help. In today's article, we will talk about how to connect a time relay, what it is and in what areas it is used.
What is a time relay
In fact, this is an automatic protection element that allows you to turn off the equipment for a certain time, and then reapply power to it. For example, lighting is required only at night, while during the day it is useless. Having figured out how to connect the time relay correctly, you can easilysolve this issue.
If we talk about what devices you can switch it with, then the list will be very extensive. Most often, a time relay is used in conjunction with a magnetic starter. Such automation elements are quite convenient when applying voltage to a heating boiler if it is not equipped with a temperature sensor. After all, the constant heating of the coolant is also useless. It is worth trying to figure out how it is switched.
Types of similar devices
On the shelves of electrical stores you can find various time relays, including:
- analog automation;
- digital devices;
- time relay plugged into an outlet, which is an adapter.
Analog devices are becoming rarer today. This is not surprising, because the functionality of digital ones is much larger. With their help, you can, for example, plan lighting cycles for the week ahead.
Socket relays are used in everyday life. For example, a periodic power supply to the fan is required. Here you don’t even have to figure out how to connect a 220V time relay. Just plug it into an outlet. And already the fan itself will be switched with a time relay through a plug.
Advantages and disadvantages of such automation
Despite the fact that such devices make it easier to control electrical appliances, they have disadvantages that cannot be ignored. If we talk about digital time relays, then their cost is quite high. Moreover, they requirethe most precise setting. However, minimizing the probability of error in cycles covers the shortcomings. Sometimes there is simply no other choice but to install such automation.
Another disadvantage, some consider that it is quite difficult to figure out how to connect a time relay to a magnetic starter. However, here we must disagree. In the course of today's article, dear reader will understand that in fact the work is simple, you just need to catch the essence.
The principle of operation of the time relay: general information
The basis of digital equipment is an electromagnetic coil paired with a timer. The pulses entering the counting mechanism or electronic device are counted, and when the specified number is reached, the indicators are reset.
Analogue time relays have a mechanism that can be compared to a pendulum cuckoo clock. Upon reaching a certain time, the "bird" crawled out of the birdhouse, and a sound signal was heard. Here the principle of operation is the same, only instead of the cuckoo, the mechanism for switching on or opening the contact group is activated.
Methods for setting the time relay depending on the type
Analogue or mechanical RT can have different designs, so there are no general rules for setting the delay. You should study the technical documentation to understand how to properly do this job.
Setting up digital devices is a bit easier. The display shows the current time, a countdown timer until the next action. I have an opportunitysetting trigger cycles for a day, a week and even a month.
Connect the time relay to the magnetic relay
Such switching is used when it is necessary to start an electric motor or other powerful equipment. After all, the time relay itself is not capable of withstanding more than 16 A. First, you need to fix both devices so that the fixation is maximum, and the location does not have deviations of more than 10 degrees. The commutation itself should look like this.
There are 5 numbered contacts on the PB - two on the top and 3 on the bottom. The phase wire simultaneously goes to terminals 1, 4 and one of the conclusions of the magnetic starter group. The output from pin 5 is sent to the coil. It is she who is responsible for the operation of the magnetic starter.
Trajectory of the neutral wire - terminal 2, the second side of the coil and the load. Of course, RVs can differ from one another. In the figure below, you can see a slightly different way of switching.
Having figured out how to connect the time relay to the starter, you can move on to lighting. Let's consider this question in detail.
How to connect a time relay to lighting
If the home master figured out how to switch the RV with a magnetic starter, such a connection will not be difficult. The essence of connecting a time relay to lighting can be understood from the diagram below.
Leading manufacturers of similar equipment
The assortment of RV on the shelves of Russian stores is huge. When it comes to manufacturers whopopular among consumers, the brand with the ideal price/quality ratio can be called ABB. This corporation was founded by the merger of two fairly large companies in 1988, and already in the early 90s of the last century, its representative office was opened in St. Petersburg. Today the company occupies a leading position in the production of protective and industrial automation systems.
Before you figure out how to connect an ABB time relay, you should consider the features of such equipment.
What makes ABB automation different from other brands
Such RVs have some advantages over devices manufactured by other companies, including:
- Easy to install and use. Thanks to the diagrams applied to the RV case, the user does not have a question how to connect the ABB time relay. Loop settings are fairly simple, regardless of whether a digital or analog device is being used. The dial, like the screen, is clearly readable in any light.
- Such time relays can be turned off forcibly. Such an action is necessary when an urgent revision or maintenance of the device is required. In this case, the preset cycle programs are not lost. Speaking of certification, it can be noted that all devices undergo mandatory testing according to EN 60730-1 and EN 60730-2-7.
- The ABB timing relays are quite compact. When mounted on a DIN rail, such a device occupies only 2 modular places. But, despite the small dimensions, the manufacturer was able to achieve a fairly small minimum time step, whichis only 15 min.
- Some models come with their own rechargeable battery to keep programs running smoothly by providing autonomous power in the event of an unexpected power outage.
What to look for when buying a PB
When purchasing such equipment, you should pay attention to a number of nuances. How to connect a time relay, how complicated this process is - in this case, such questions are secondary. The main thing to note when buying a RV:
- What is the maximum current load for the purchased equipment. It is easy to calculate what you need. It is enough to add up the power consumption of the devices planned to be connected through a time relay and divide the resulting figure by the mains voltage - 220 V.
- РВ can differ in the type of fastening. Some of them are mounted on a DIN rail, others are fixed with bolts.
- Devices can also be different in terms of operating temperature range. It should be borne in mind that the larger it is, the higher the cost will be.
- Type of RV - analog or digital. Despite the fact that the second is more expensive, its functionality is higher, and management is simpler. This means that it would be preferable to choose it.
- Number of control channels. If you need to connect the main and auxiliary lighting, a two-channel time relay will do.
- Timer type. Here you should choose depending on the area of application. The most expensive option would bedevice with a yearly timer and weekends.
- There are models with an astronomical timer. Such devices are tied to the terrain, after which they independently adjust the cycle time, depending on sunsets and sunrises.
- Difficulty of installation. This is the last thing to pay attention to. After all, regardless of how the time relay is connected, you can always understand its switching according to the scheme.
What you need to know for sensitive savings on street lighting
On its own, the time relay will not give the effect that the owner would like to see - electricity bills for street lighting will decrease slightly. This is not surprising, because the RV will turn it on in the evening and turn it off in the morning. The question arises: why do the lamps shine when there is no one in the yard? A justified solution would be to switch the time relay with a motion sensor. With this connection, the RV will supply voltage, but in the absence of people in the yard, it will not reach the lamps. However, as soon as a person appears in the field of "vision" of the motion sensor, the circuit closes and the lights turn on.
You can also think about how to connect a time relay paired with a sound sensor. After all, no one can move silently, it is unnatural. Especially at night, when the sounds are heard more clearly. Such improvements to the RV with additional sensors will save up to 70-80% of the consumed electricity, which will have a significant impact on the bills from the power supply or service company.
Final part
Time relay is a really worthy and sometimes necessary automation that can help in many areas, both in industry and in everyday life. Of course, the cost of such devices cannot be called low, but with the right approach, it quickly pays for itself. The main thing is to understand how to connect the time relay and its settings, as well as make the right choice when purchasing a RV. Only then will such a device meet the user's expectations, extend the life of lighting fixtures and other electrical equipment.
