What is the purpose of a relay?

Relays are switches that open and close circuits electromechanically or electronically. Relays control one electrical circuit by opening and closing contacts in another circuit. As relay diagrams show, when a relay contact is normally open (NO), there is an open contact when the relay is not energized. read more

General Purpose Relays are electromechanical switches, usually operated by a magnetic coil. General purpose relays operate with AC or DC current, at common voltages such as 12V, 24V, 48V, 120V and 230V, and they can control currents ranging from 2A-30A. read more

Relays are also commonly used in low power applications to switch a signal to one or more circuits. The common terminal of a relay is typically used as the input, and the throw describes the number of switches that are connected ("thrown") at the same time. A relay is controlled by a solenoid. read more

Using a relay keeps the high current portion of the circuit away from the switch and pulls the current directly from the battery to your KC's. The relay also allows you to tie your lights into a secondary 12-volt circuit such as your high/low beams or ignition. read more