- #1
Hondaboi1729
So in high current circuits which involve say a starter motor in a car we need a starter relay since a normal switch cannot handle the high current flow.
I think the reason I'm asking this question is because I don't understand what exactly makes the relay be able to handle the current unlike the switch which activates it.
Is it
a) because the actual metal in the original switch will melt or be damaged if high current yet the metal contact in the relay can tolerate much higher heat
b) Or can a relay handle it because the electromagnetism is so strong when the metal contacts in the relay switches it won't budge.
If it's a) then why do we need a switch before the relay or even a relay switch/mechanism that works via magnetism at all but instead only one strong switch with a contact that can handle the current?
I think the reason I'm asking this question is because I don't understand what exactly makes the relay be able to handle the current unlike the switch which activates it.
Is it
a) because the actual metal in the original switch will melt or be damaged if high current yet the metal contact in the relay can tolerate much higher heat
b) Or can a relay handle it because the electromagnetism is so strong when the metal contacts in the relay switches it won't budge.
If it's a) then why do we need a switch before the relay or even a relay switch/mechanism that works via magnetism at all but instead only one strong switch with a contact that can handle the current?