Provided herein are methods for an improved bi-stable relay. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a core assembly within a housing, the core assembly comprising a plunger extending through a coil support structure. The method may further include winding a first coil and a second coil about a central section of the coil support structure, providing a first magnet and a first ferromagnetic plate at a first end of the coil support structure, and providing a second magnet and a second ferromagnetic plate at a second end of the coil support structure. In some embodiments, the method may further include activating the first coil or the second coil to move the plunger between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position a circuit formed by a set of contacts is closed, and wherein in the second position the circuit is open.

A latching relay system includes a latching relay that comprises a permanent magnet and a control electric coil and has a function of self-maintaining a state of an electric contact, at least one inductance component that is disposed close to the latching relay and has a function of generating magnetism when energized, and an assisting energization control unit that energizes the inductance component temporarily when the state of the electric contact of the latching relay is switched, and assists an operation of the latching relay by the magnetism generated by the inductance component.

A latching relay system includes a latching relay that comprises a permanent magnet and a control electric coil and has a function of self-maintaining a state of an electric contact, at least one inductance component that is disposed close to the latching relay and has a function of generating magnetism when energized, and an assisting energization control unit that energizes the inductance component temporarily when the state of the electric contact of the latching relay is switched, and assists an operation of the latching relay by the magnetism generated by the inductance component.

An electromagnetic relay includes a contactor including a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an electromagnet device for moving the movable contact. The electromagnet device includes a coil generating a first magnetic flux by energization, a tubular body including a permanent magnet generating a second magnetic flux in a direction identical to a direction of the first magnetic flux and having a hollow extending in a center axis direction, a movable element disposed in the hollow of the tubular body and reciprocating in the center axis direction, and a yoke forming a magnetic circuit passing together with the movable element and the tubular body. The magnetic circuit allows at least one of the first and second magnetic fluxes to pass through the magnetic circuit. The electromagnet device is configured to, when the coil is energized, move the movable contact to a first position by attracting the movable element with the first magnetic flux and the second magnetic flux. The electromagnet device is configured to, when energization of the coil is suspended, move the movable contact to a second position different from the first position. This electromagnetic relay is easily designed and reduces power consumption at a low cost.

An electromagnetic relay includes a contactor including a fixed contact and a movable contact, and an electromagnet device for moving the movable contact. The electromagnet device includes a coil generating a first magnetic flux by energization, a tubular body including a permanent magnet generating a second magnetic flux in a direction identical to a direction of the first magnetic flux and having a hollow extending in a center axis direction, a movable element disposed in the hollow of the tubular body and reciprocating in the center axis direction, and a yoke forming a magnetic circuit passing together with the movable element and the tubular body. The magnetic circuit allows at least one of the first and second magnetic fluxes to pass through the magnetic circuit. The electromagnet device is configured to, when the coil is energized, move the movable contact to a first position by attracting the movable element with the first magnetic flux and the second magnetic flux. The electromagnet device is configured to, when energization of the coil is suspended, move the movable contact to a second position different from the first position. This electromagnetic relay is easily designed and reduces power consumption at a low cost.

A method is disclosed for testing a latching magnet of a switch including a switching contact, formed from contact elements mechanically separated from one another for opening the switching contact; an electronic trip unit, to monitor current flowing via the contact elements and to perform a test for a current-dependent trip condition; an electrical energy store, forming a circuit with the winding of the latching magnet, the circuit being closed for a first closing time when the trip condition of the trip unit is met; and an actuator, actuable by closing off the circuit and configured to separate the contact elements. For test purposes, the circuit is closed for a second closing time, which is so short that separation of the contact elements by the actuator does not take place. A test is then performed to ascertain whether there is a current flowing via the winding of the latching magnet.

A method is disclosed for testing a latching magnet of a switch including a switching contact, formed from contact elements mechanically separated from one another for opening the switching contact; an electronic trip unit, to monitor current flowing via the contact elements and to perform a test for a current-dependent trip condition; an electrical energy store, forming a circuit with the winding of the latching magnet, the circuit being closed for a first closing time when the trip condition of the trip unit is met; and an actuator, actuable by closing off the circuit and configured to separate the contact elements. For test purposes, the circuit is closed for a second closing time, which is so short that separation of the contact elements by the actuator does not take place. A test is then performed to ascertain whether there is a current flowing via the winding of the latching magnet.

A relay protection device is disclosed for use with a magnetic latching relay, the relay having two stable states. The relay comprises an electromagnetic device which under the effect of a switching impulse current, causes the relay to switch from one of the states to the other. The relay protection device comprises a current detector for connection with electrical control contacts of the relay, which measures a current induced by the switching mechanism, a comparator operable to determine if the current exceeds a predetermined threshold, and a controller for connection with the electrical control contacts and, based on the determination of the comparator, operable to apply a retention voltage across the electrical control contacts so as to cause the electromagnetic device to generate a magnetic field to retain the switching mechanism in its current state.

Provided herein is an improved bi-stable relay. In some embodiments, the bi-stable relay assembly may include a housing, and a core assembly within the housing. The core assembly may include a coil support structure, a first coil and a second coil along a central section of the coil support structure, a first magnet at a first end of the coil support structure, a second magnet at a second end of the coil support structure, and a first electromagnetic shell component and a second electromagnetic shell component each extending between the first and second magnets.

A printed circuit board (PCB)-mounted contactor including a PCB with planar surface, source and load terminals fixed to the PCB, and a contact. The contact is supported by the PCB and is movable between open and closed positions. Movement of the contact is parallel to the planar surface. Electrical assemblies having PCB-mounted contactors and methods of controlling current flow in electrical systems with PCB-mounted contactors are also described.