Intrinsically safe relays control high-voltage currents with low-voltage signals, and trip circuits when confronted with ground fault or circuit overload. Since American scientist Joseph Henry invented the relay in 1835, voltage-related explosions have been a thing of the past. A lot has changed in manufacturing relays since 1835, and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) now sets up standards for devices like intrinsically safe relays. This means intrinsically safe relays protect both you and your equipment. You can find intrinsically safe relays information on the Web for tasks like building circuit boards.

The types of intrinsically safe relays are getting more and more specific, but you can find intrinsically safe relays for your application in one of the following categories:

1. General purpose intrinsically safe relays

2. Intrinsically safe relays for circuit board production

3. Water and waste water relays

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find intrinsically safe relays in the widest variety of shapes and sizes

Find intrinsically safe relays for general use easily online. Whether you need one-channel or two-channel relays, you can find intrinsically safe relays in a range of prices. Many industry leaders manufacture or market their own line of top-notch intrinsically safe relays that even come with their own software for user-friendly operation.

I recommend: Siemens manufactures Siprotec, their own line of safety relays. Midwest Equipment carries both one and two channel relays for a variety of uses.

Build circuits safely with an intrinsically safe relays provider

An intrinsically safe relays provider can get you specialty relays for specific applications, like circuit boards for handling waste that includes hazardous chemicals and gases produced in manufacturing their components and finished products. Some of the intrinsically safe relays for the semiconductor industry are even capable of measuring temperature, vibration and humidity.

I recommend: Check out Pepperl + Fuchs for their family of intrinsically safe relays and accessories for circuit boards. Omron carries relays for circuit board production that conform to EN standards.

Develop a specialty intrinsically safe relays list of information and resources to keep you safe

Hundreds of people in the U.S. die each year because of electrocution, many of those deaths involving water. Especially in applications where both electricity and water are present, developing and using an intrinsically safe relays list that is especially suited to relays that allow your employees to safely operate sump pumps with float switches, can mean the difference between life and death.

I recommend: Contact Industry Ids for safe pump operations. Motor Protection Electronics sells intrinsically safe relays and duplexers for water and wastewater applications.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for intrinsically safe relays that are UL -- or Underwriters Laboratory -- listed. The UL is a private product safety test facility that develops test procedures and is approved by the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration.