A 12-volt relay is an essential component in many electrical systems, widely used for controlling various high-power devices with a low-power control circuit. Relays, in general, are switches that allow electrical signals to control devices without directly connecting them to the control circuit. When it comes to the 12-volt relay, its versatility and reliability make it one of the most popular choices, particularly in automotive and home automation applications.

What is a 12 Volt Relay? A 12-volt relay operates as an electromechanical switch. It uses a coil that is energized by a 12V electrical signal to create a magnetic field. This magnetic field then pulls a mechanical armature, which in turn either opens or closes a set of contacts. The contacts can either be Normally Open (NO) or Normally Closed (NC), depending on the design of the relay. When the coil is powered by 12V, it either closes or opens the contacts, depending on the type of relay. This allows a relatively small control signal to control a much larger current or voltage in the connected circuit. This makes relays highly effective in applications where it’s necessary to control high-powered devices using low-power control circuits.