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A BAS streamlines the management of commercial buildings, including upgraded efficiency, better occupant comfort, lower energy costs, improved security, and more.<\/p>\n Functional Devices<\/strong>\u00a0offers a range of\u00a0building automation products<\/strong><\/a>, including\u00a0relays<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0designed for a range of applications.<\/p>\n A relay is an electrically powered switch carrying, or relaying, electrical currents to other relays or components to switch them on or off. They can also amplify the strength of small electrical currents.<\/p>\n Many different systems work together in a BAS, meaning a lot of electricity needs safe management. Relays protect the electrical system, controlling and isolating low-voltage systems from high-voltage systems. With a relay, the twain shall never meet.<\/p>\n Not only do relays safeguard electrical components, but they also improve the reliability and longevity of a building\u2019s systems, allow for a higher load capacity, and can be remotely operated.<\/p>\n Although the idea of a \u201cmaster switch\u201d sounds simple enough, picking the right relay is more nuanced. Here are the top considerations to keep in mind when researching your options.<\/p>\n Adaptability is the backbone of our success, allowing us to navigate challenges with agility and turn them into opportunities. Whether it\u2019s responding to market shifts or adjusting to an increase in production, our team thrives in environments where change is constant. As one of our employees put it, \u201cWe don\u2019t see obstacles as roadblocks; we see them as chances to innovate and improve.\u201d This mindset has not only helped us grow but also ensured that we remain a leader in the ever-evolving building automation industry. An electric load is a device that consumes electrical energy to operate. The BAS\u2019s load requirements, how much electricity it needs to run, and the types of loads will determine what kind of relay you choose.<\/p>\n There are three types of loads:<\/p>\n For example, if you choose a relay only rated for resistive loads and try to use it for inductive loads, the voltage spike at sthe witch-off will likely damage or destroy the relay and any accompanying control devices.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re working with capacitive or inductive loads, choosing an oversized relay is essential to manage the switch-on inrush current or switch-off voltage spike.<\/p>\n A relay contact is where the magic happens\u2014electrically conductive pieces of metal touch to complete a circuit and allow the flow of electricity. Relays can have different contact forms suitable for different applications. The pole refers to the number of circuits the switch controls, and the throw refers to the number of positions that complete the circuit.<\/p>\n Relay contact types may also be designated with a NO (normally open) or NC (normally closed). Building automation tasks need specific configurations of contact forms; therefore, take note of the type.<\/p>\n Common control voltages in building automation include 120 VAC (Volts Alternating Current), 24 VAC, and 24 VDC. The voltage rating of a relay must be equal to or greater than the voltage driving the load.\u00a0<\/strong>For example, don\u2019t use a relay rated as 12 VAC to operate a 24 VAC air conditioner.<\/p>\n Additionally, pay attention to the:<\/p>\n Components of your BAS will require varying switching speeds and frequencies, so your relay must accommodate these requirements. Some systems, like HVAC and electrical control panels, need to switch quickly. Others, like automated test equipment systems, must switch often. Still others, like medical equipment, do both. Some systems, like HVAC, lighting, and safety, also need slow or time-delay switching.<\/p>\n Choose the relay<\/strong>\u00a0accordingly, like those constructed for specialized high-switching applications or with built-in time delays.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t forget to consider your industry and where you\u2019ll be installing your relay. Temperature, humidity, corrosive substances, and ambient vibration can affect relay performance. Therefore, install relays in an appropriate location and protect it with an enclosure.<\/p>\n Speaking of location, installation space constraints will help you determine the mounting type and size of the relay. Don\u2019t select a relay that won\u2019t fit in your available space. Also, consider the heat a relay will give off and its surrounding area. A larger relay may give off more heat.<\/p>\n To ensure your relay is up to the task of contending with your building\u2019s environment, check its Ingress Protection (IP) rating. This rating measures how effectively an enclosure protects electrical components from solids and liquids that could damage the equipment or create a safety issue.<\/p>\n IP ratings consist of two numbers: the first, between zero and six, indicates protection from solids (e.g., dust), and the second, from zero to nine, defines protection from moisture. Higher numbers indicate better protection. For example, IP69 offers the best protection from water, dust, or debris.<\/p>\n Relays make a BAS run more smoothly, safely, and efficiently. When researching, select the appropriate relay depending on the load requirements, contact configurations and voltages, switching speed and frequency, and environmental conditions.<\/p>\n Have questions or need help? No problem\u2014Kele\u2019s got you covered! Chat with us live on kele.com or call us today<\/a>. Our technical experts are ready to answer your questions and offer solutions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”\/\/www.kele.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ribt-image-final.jpg” title_text=”ribt-image-final” url=”https:\/\/www.kele.com\/product\/relays-and-contactors\/manufacturer\/functional-devices\/series\/RIB%252C-RIBT-pilot-series?page=1&batchSize=24&keywords=&sortBy=alpha_asc%20″ url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”\/\/www.kele.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ribm-image-final.jpg” title_text=”ribm-image-final” url=”https:\/\/www.kele.com\/product\/relays-and-contactors\/track-mounted-relays\/series\/RIB-m-series?page=1&batchSize=12&sortBy=popularity” url_new_window=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” background_color=”#007ab8″ background_layout=”dark” custom_padding=”50px|12px|24px|12px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_radii=”on|6px|6px|6px|6px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" *Contributed by Noah Smith, Functional Devices …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[274,270,273,275,269,110],"class_list":["post-32497","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-relays-contactors","tag-bas","tag-building-automation","tag-contactors","tag-functional-devices","tag-hvac","tag-relays"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n![\"\"](\"\/\/www.kele.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/fd-blog-image-r2.jpg\")
Behind the scenes of the buildings where we live and work are systems quietly humming away. In large-scale or industrial applications, you want these systems to run on autopilot (like lighting<\/strong>, HVAC, and security). That\u2019s where a\u00a0building automation system (BAS)\u00a0<\/strong>comes in.<\/p>\nUnderstanding the Role of Building Automation Relays<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Relay<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Load Requirements<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Contact Configuration<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Voltage<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Switching Speed and Frequency<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Environmental Conditions<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Building Automation Relays Innovated: RIB Relays<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Shop all Functional Devices Relays and Contactors<\/a><\/h3>\n