Time relay in home automation

Almost all people complain about lack of time. The pace of our life is constantly accelerating, so any devices that accurately measure time intervals will always be in demand.

If these devices still take part of our concerns from our shoulders, watering the lawn, turning on and off the light, the management of various home electrical appliances and industrial processes, they are simply necessary.

The general name of such devices is time relay. So, time relay is a device designed to create time delays for turning on or off signals or processes or to implement a certain sequence in their work. Typically, a time relay is used when it is necessary to perform some action after a set period of time.

Timer classification

There are many ways to classify a time relay, but this will require a whole table of parameters for each instance. Therefore, we must choose the main ones. If you decide to choose a time relay, first, decide on the execution. It can be monoblock, built-in and modular.

MonoblockThis is a fully autonomous external device with built-in power and inputs for connecting the load. An example is an external timer for photo printing.

Built-in time relay - This is a simplified version of the candy bar, without its own housing and power. This device is used to create more complex devices from cubes under one common case. An example is the timer-programmer of a washing machine.

Modular time relay - this is a variant of a monoblock, for example, a time relay mounted on a din rail in electrical panel. It should be noted right away that such a classification is very arbitrary, but very important for the convenience of subsequent use in everyday life or at work.

Secondly, the time relay can be classified by the method of creating a time interval. First appeared time relay with clock or anchor mechanism. Such timers are still widely used and have proven to be one of the most reliable. Other examples: a mechanical alarm clock, a kitchen timer with a bell, a mechanical program relay of some washing machines.

Quite often used motor time relays. They consist of a gear motor and electrical contacts. Such timers were previously encountered, for example, as hour meters for electric generators. They are necessary for timely routine maintenance on equipment.

Still commonly used hydraulic or pneumatic timer. The adjustment of the time intervals of such relays is made by increasing or decreasing the flow of air or liquid into the working volume.

Yet the most common type of time relay is electronic relays. Such relays easily provide shutter speeds from fractions of a second to months and even years. Since such devices can be used quartz frequency stabilization and synchronizing time on a reference external clock via a radio channel or the Internet, they provide unrivaled accuracy.

In addition, such timers are already microcontrollers, since they have various inputs and outputs for the implementation of feedback, well-developed programming for setting the necessary operation algorithm. Electronic timers are the most advanced devices.

Due to advances in microelectronics, they have small dimensions, power consumption and high autonomy due to non-volatile memory and internal battery power sources. If you are not limited in means and choose a timer for new projects, you should opt for electronic timers.

Examples of different types of time relays

2RVM time relay is a typical representative of an anchor relay. It is designed to control two independent electrical circuits for short or open. Management is carried out using repeated daily programs. Programs are installed by installing pins in two software disks.

The number of holes in the program discs is 96 and 72, the division price is 15 minutes, the minimum duration of commands or pauses is 30 minutes, the accuracy is + _ 5 minutes. Power reserve 48 hours. Import analog of the CRONO QRDD relay.

Another example of mechanical and electronic devices are household timers. They can be used for time-controlled shut-off, for example, lighting, heating systems, cooling systems, as well as humidifier systems, compressors for aquariums, etc.

Typical Representative - mechanical timer "BND-50 / G39". It has a mechanical switch, a load indicator, a socket equipped with child protection. The load capacity is 16A, 230V ~, 50Hz. Up to 48 on and off. Min time setting step: 15 m, 30 m, 2 hours. Max. time setting step: 24 hours, 7 days. Accuracy: ± 5 minutes. Size 7.2 * 12.0 * 8.9 cm. Operating temperature -10 ... + 40 * C.

The timer is convenient in that it is inserted into a conventional outlet, and the managed device is connected to the built-in timer outlet. Execution of the timer - a monoblock.

An example of a modern microcontroller time relay is the “Milestone DD”. The device has a built-in keyboard and LED indicator. The Milestone DD time relay is intended for single or cyclical activation of actuators after working out the set time delay. The scope covers all production cycles in industry and everyday life, where it is required to automate the process of controlling equipment associated with time delays.

It features a flexible logic of work. Ability to control from external signals. High impact plastic housing. The ability to restrict access to the instrument program with a password. The range of preset time delays: 1 sec ... 9999 hours.

Hours: 0.01 sec ... 100 hours. The relay has a forward and a countdown. Execution of a timer according to the type of output: 1,2 or 3 changeover contacts or optotransistor or optosimistor or output for controlling a solid state relay.

An example of an electronic modular time switch is “VL 159 M”, with almost the same parameters as the Milestone DD, it has very compact dimensions, mounted on a din rail and easily fits in an electrical panel.

Now you know that before buying a time relay you need to determine the purchase price, the number of control circuits, and the form factor of the device. If you need a cheap device, then choose a monoblock timer type BND-50 / G39. If you need to manage complex automation, it is better to choose a modular option for a dyn-rail, for example, VL 159 M or similar. If you need even more advanced devices, see programmable relays (LOGO Siemens, EASY, Zelio Logic, etc.) or smart home controllers.