instructables

Latching Relay Module.

by govindanunni

In electronics, a device is said to be a latching device electromechanical relay. However these terminals
if it maintains any particular fixed state even after which are present over the relay show that the
removal of the input signal. The same also applies for electronic relay which we are using has only one
electronic/electromechanical relays. Basically the stable state.
electromechanical relays that are used today are of
two types: In this instructable I will show you how to use a non-
latching relay as a latching bistable relay by
1. Non-Latching Relay : These relays are most widely designing a simple electronic module which is
used where energy consumption is basically not an powered by an external power source. One can use
issue.This type relay(s) comes back to its original this module for many other projects and it's
state once the input signal is removed. intentionally made portable so that one can easily
carry it around. Moreover it has many other useful
2. Latching Relay : These relays are mostly used in features which provides it many additional
automobiles and are rarely used for basic prototyping functionalities.
needs.
To get a detailed idea of the working please watch
Most of the relays which we use today are the above video or click on the link below:
monostable relays, that means it has only one stable
state and so it is called non-latching relays. You must Latching Relay Module Video
have heard about N.O (Normally Open) and N.C
(Normally Closed) terminals of a basic

Latching Relay Module.: Page 1

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_PtEOU1iaw

Step 1: Gather the required components and tools.

All the tools and components used to make this module can be easily bought from nearby local electronic shops.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED:

1x Small Size Perforated Circuit Board

1x 3 PIN PCB Mount Screw Terminal
1x 5V-DC 240V, 50-60Hz, 5A SPDT Relay
3x BC547 NPN Transistor
2x Small LEDs (Different colors are recommended.)
2x 330ohms Resistors
2x Momentary Push Button Switches (Different colors are recommended.)
1x 1N4007 General Purpose PN Junction Diode
1x NE555 Timer IC
4x Male Header Pins
3x 10Kohms resistors
2x 15Kohms resistors

TOOLS REQUIRED:

Soldering Iron
Soldering Lead Wire
Soldering Flux
Multimeter with Probes
A strong Adhesive

Latching Relay Module.: Page 2

Step 2: The Circuit Diagram

The above shown picture is the circuit diagram of the The following are the inputs required for functioning of
relay module. All connection of components have to module:
be done in exact same manner as shown in the
picture. VCC - 5V DC (You can take it from a USB port)

The above circuit is an implementation of the NE555 GND - Negetive or GROUND connection.
timer IC as a Latch or 1-Bit Memory Cell. The Set
(ON) and Reset (OFF) function of the attached relay SET INPUT - Preferably Greater than 0V to turn the
can be controlled by either using the momentary push relay ON
buttons as switches or it can be controlled via 5V
logic inputs from the SET or RESET pin sides. RESET INPUT - Preferably Greater than 0V to turn
The the type of latch that we are using here is SR the relay OFF
latch.
In the circuit diagram the pin jack J1 refers to the NOTE*: The SET signal and RESET signal should
power inputs and logic controls of the module, not be supplied at the same time, if done so, it will
whereas the pin jack J2 refers to the 3-PIN screw change the state of the relay to OFF state by default .
terminal outputs from the relay.

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Step 3: Placing Of Components

One may follow his or her own way to place the components on the perforated board. However the procedure that
I followed has been explained as follows:

1. Start with the screw terminal and the relay. First place the screw terminal at one of the ends of the
perforated board and glue it to the board by using the strong adhesive if needed.
2. Then place the relay carefully. Middle terminal of the relay will mostly not align to the holes of the
perforated board. I recommend not to forcibly align relay to the circuit board. Use a screwdriver or
some kind of drilling machine to enlarge the hole and then install the relay.
3. Place the diode right next to the coil side of the relay. This diode acts as a Flyback diode in this
circuit.
4. The gradually step by step place all the other components and arrange it in such a way that only a
minimum traces of solder would be required to connect the terminals.

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Step 4: Soldering Process and Testing

3. Once the soldering processes is completed, check

for continuity using the multimeter.
1. First solder the relay's terminals to the Screw 4. After continuity testing go for actual testing of the
Terminal. Remember to make thick traces of solder module with 5V as input and connect any electrical
for this step because sometimes the relay may need load to the relay terminals.
to bear heavy loads. During heavy load applications, 5. To avoid the risk of electric shock or short circuit,
the solder joints may melt down due to heat. you may put on an insulation tape at the base of the
2. Then solder rest of the components to the circuit relay terminals. (OPTIONAL)
board. If cross over conditions arise, use small
insulated wires to join the terminals.

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Step 5: Final Pinout and Layout Diagram

1. SET BUTTON - This switch is blue colored and it is 5. SET Input - This pin if applied will a positive
used to turn the relay to ON state. The relay will voltage will turn the relay ON.
continue to be in ON state even after the force is 6. RESET Input - If a positive voltage is applied to
removed from the Blue button until and unless the this pin then it will bring the relay back to it's original
Reset button is pressed or reset signal is provided to OFF state.
the module. 7. GREEN LED - This is the power indicator LED
2. RESET BUTTON - This switch is red colored and it which glows when VCC and Ground terminals are
is used to turn the relay back to OFF position. connected to a 5V power supply.
3. VCC - The positive 5V supply must be given to this 8. BLUE LED - This LED shows the status of the
terminal for working of the module. relay. It glows when the relay is ON and turns off
4. GND - The ground terminal(s) of any input(s) when the relay is OFF.
should be connected to this terminal.

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Step 6: Using the module with board mounted switches.

The SET and RESET buttons present on the module provides manual control of the relay.
These buttons can also be used simultaneously with the control input signals that come from the SET and RESET
terminals.

Step 7: Implementation of the module with a microcontroller.

This module can also be controlled by using any connected the relay module to a NodeMCU and
microcontrollers. One has to only connect the SET configured pin numbers D1 and D2 as its outputs.
and RESET input terminals of the module to the 2. Then by the help of blynk application I controlled
digital outputs of the microcontroller with a common the ON and OFF functionality of the relay module
ground. wirelessly over Wi-Fi.
1. In the above shown pictures of this step, I have

Step 8: Using the module as a touch switch.

The relay module can also be used as a touch switch.This is because BC547 transistor easily turns ON even with
a small base current. So even a small static charge of our body can be applied to the base terminal of these
transistors to control the ON and OFF functionality of the relay module.
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Step 9: Advantages & Conclusion

ADVANTAGES: coil voltage, one can supply the VCC voltage

The advantages of this relay module as compared to accordingly.
the conventional relay module are as follows: 4. The state of the relay is stored even after the
1. Unlike the normal relay modules which mostly work control input signals are removed.
under specific logic input voltage such as 5V or 3.3V,
this relay module can accept a wide range of input CONCLUSION:
voltage or current signals to control the switching This relay module just provides a new way to control
action. the relays. Not only this can be used to control
2. The latch mechanism of switching is usually used electromechanical relays but also it can be used to
in controlling circuits which have unstable (pulsating control solid state relays.
DC) or time varying input signals. Basically this relay module is an upgrade over the
3. Wide range of operating voltage- One can easily existing relay modules and provides various features
use this module with any relays which have coil and functionalities.
voltages starting from 5V to 18V. Depending upon the

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