In electronics, various household electrical appliances and lighting control systems, it is used 12 Volt impulse relay, which allows you to provide a stable power supply, while simplifying the work technology. To date, various types of automation have been developed, which are distinguished by their ease of operation. and are able to ensure the smooth functioning of household appliances and various electrical devices.
Content
- Switch assignment
- Types of devices, how they work
- Relay characteristics and their advantages
- Connection diagram
- Scope of application
- Self-made device
Switch assignment
The electromechanical relay is designed to connect the load to the circuit when a signal is applied to the contacts. Such a switch is called an impulse switch because it is turned on when the corresponding signal is sent to the control input. The automation remembers the position of the contacts even when disconnected from the network, and then, when the power is restored, the device does not change its state until new control signals are received.
Today, such relays are used in electrical engineering, lighting control devices, power equipment and high-power power supplies. The switch can vary in power, design and purpose. Having correctly selected and correctly planned the circuit with impulse relays, it will be possible to ensure the operation of the devices in a fully automatic mode, greatly simplifying their operation.
Types of devices, how they work
The technical characteristics of the automation, its principle of operation and purpose will directly depend on the type of such devices. It is customary to distinguish between two types of switches:
- Electronic.
- Electromechanical.
Each of these relay types has advantages and disadvantages. They can be carried out in various cases, differ in their principle of operation and purpose. Each type of switch must be properly selected to suit the job and electrical engineering used.
Electromechanical relays are made with a control coil and special mechanical contacts, working on the principle of a latching button. After the signal is applied to the coil, the contacts close and remain in this position until the next control signal is received. As soon as a new impulse arrives at the relay, the mechanics opens the contacts, ensuring the correct operation of the device.
Electronic switches are available with semiconductor switch or relay output. Such devices are implemented with microcontrollers that control the signal output and load switching. Some modifications of switches are equipped with timers, which allows you to collect specific circuits on their basis, expanding the scope of devices.
Relay characteristics and their advantages
In each specific case, the technical characteristics of such devices will vary, depending on their type and purpose. The main parameters include the following:
- Number of switches supported.
- Control pulse duration.
- Rated current in the power circuit.
- Coil operating current.
- Rated control voltage.
- The number and status of contacts.

The choice of switches is performed based on their characteristics, as well as the general design of the device and the device. You can choose both the simplest models designed for a control current of 12 Volts, and powerful installations, which work with high voltage, equipped with microcontrollers and providing maximum accuracy work.
The advantages of a relay include:
- Simplicity of design.
- Versatility of use.
- Affordable cost.
- Reliability.
- Ease of connection.
The disadvantages include only their susceptibility to pickup from power circuits and radio waves. Therefore, such switches should be used in devices and circuits that are protected from external influences. If it is required to use the relay in conditions of radio waves and constant interference, then it is recommended to use a mechanical type of device, which is characterized by increased stability and stability of operation.
All that remains to be done is just to choose the right switch model, which will fully correspond to the device circuit. Only in this case it is possible to guarantee the trouble-free operation of equipment and control systems, and the equipment will function correctly, without overload and short circuits.
Connection diagram
The impulse relay connection diagram differs depending on the type of equipment and the power of the switch itself. Most often, a 12 volt device is used when organizing a lighting control circuit. You just need to bring a two-core thin wire to the switches, and connect the power cable to the contacts of the pulse bistable relay.
There are also relay connection diagrams using a coil for 8, 24 and 220 volts. When using high-power switches, a separate power supply is required, which somewhat complicates the implementation of the control devices. For increased power, it is recommended to use electromechanical relays with a microprocessor, which will monitor the voltage indicator, ensuring the highest possible accuracy of work technology.
Scope of application
A 12 Volt impulse relay is most often used in smart home control circuits. Such switches are functional, they can work with several devices at once, greatly simplifying the automation of lighting control and all power supply in a building.
Timer devices are used when short-term voltage supply is required. For example, to illuminate a garage, basement, shed or entrance. Such a device can be additionally equipped with external sensors, which expands the scope of the impulse relay.
Powerful switches are used in inverter power supplies, various power equipment and equipment with high electricity consumption. Due to the maximum possible accuracy of the operation of such devices, the stable operation of the equipment is ensured, while the scheme of execution equipment and powerful power supplies is greatly simplified, which is achieved, among other things, through the use of pulsed mechanical and electromechanical relays.
Self-made device
The simplicity of the design of mechanical relays allows you to make them yourself, which reduces the cost of purchasing ready-made automation. As a basis for self-implementation of the relay, you can take a polarized solid-state switch with a timer. The power of this device should be 12 volts. Thanks to the use of a programmable switch, the possibilities of its use are significantly expanded. Depending on the needs of the machine, it can be included in the Schneider or Legrand circuit.
A latching two-pole impulse relay for lighting control will require the use of two switches at once. When performing a single-pole machine, it will need a polarity change to work. Therefore, depending on the scope of use of automation, you will need to purchase 2 or 4 switches.

A self-made device will have the following characteristics:
- Two or four switches.
- Output current - 7 Amperes.
- Power - 12 Volts and 0.03 microamperes.
The timer used allows setting in two ranges: from 0 to 1 second, as well as from 1 to 100 seconds. The user gets the opportunity to select any switching mode. In the manufacture of relays that are used in lighting schemes for industrial buildings, the maximum possible period of time is set. For domestic use, use timers with the minimum operating values of the device.
In the scheme with a homemade relay, a cable with a three-pin connector will be used:
- Black 12V ground wire.
- Red for 12 V to supply voltage to the actuators.
- The green wire is responsible for the input trigger pulse and controls the signal latch.
The green wire is connected to the homemade relay from the side of the pushbutton switch. On the other hand, a wire from a power source is soldered to plus or minus.
A two-pin connector with a yellow and brown wire can also be used additionally. The first is necessary to control the power of the load, it is connected to ground and connected power. The brown wire is required to back up the power supply, therefore, depending on the polarity, it is connected to the plus or minus 12 volts.
This is a standard circuit for a homemade impulse relay that can be used in lighting and power supply control units. The main difficulty in performing such a home-made switch is the choice of latching and counting-wire automation, the parameters of which must correspond to the contact used.
The actuation occurs when the switch mechanism is pressed for the first time. The front contacts turn on when the rear contacts are closed, which are energized. In each case, the operation scheme of a homemade relay will differ, depending on the chosen base and the purpose of such switches.
An impulse relay is a simple home-made switch that allows you to accurately control the operation of various devices; it is used in power supplies and lighting control systems. Automation can differ in its power indicators, operating principle and various characteristics. Due to the simple design of such devices, they can be made independently, saving on the purchase of functional power supply automation circuits.