Re: Relay problem

On Fri, 27 Jan 2006 09:04:13 -0800, Chris wrote:
> Rich Grise wrote:
>> On Fri, 27 Jan 2006 21:46:43 +0000, capnfishytakethisout wrote:
>> > This could be OT, but I'm posting here to get replies with no
>> > baggage.... I have a relay in my boiler which buzzes/arcs I'm trying
>> > to diagnose the fault, probably in my wiring. What conditions (eg
>> > shorting) would cause a relay to switch on & off very rapidly (leading
>> > to a buzzing noise) & arc? Many thanks
>> > Jonathan
>>
>> It's ON-topic for s.e.basics, so no worries on that account. The only
>> OFF-topic questions on s.e.b are those that don't involve electrons in
>> one way or another. ;-)
>>
>> I'd look at the physical condition of the relay, like dirt or some
>> obstruction; and check all of the connections in the relay's coil
>> circuit. It sounds like it's not pulling in fully.
>>
>> It used to work, and this symptom appeared recently, right?
>
> Hi, Rich. Always good to hear from you. Nice to see you're spending some
> time amidst us groundlings on s.e.b.

Oh, puh-leeze! I'm a groundling too, just I've been in the trenches for
going on forty years. ;-) (i.e., I've learned the difference from my
elbow to a hole in the ground. I made up that expression by incorporating
two old cliche's[1], by the way. I've heard it on TeeVee. Anyway....

Admittedly, the accolades make my ego get too big for the cubicle, and it
makes me want to dance and shtuff, but please don't gush!

I got a stipend from a benefactor once, (benefactress, actually, but I
don't want to be sexist), and when I went to kiss her feet, she said,
"Oh, don't grovel!" If you want to find somebody to fawn at the feet of,
lurk news:sci.electronics.design for awhile. ;-)

> You're right, it's probably a good idea to look at the physical
> condition of the relay first. Since it's a heating application, I'd
> guess it's probably an AC relay, so I'd also suspect a partial short in
> the coil, or a loose shading ring. Sometimes the shading ring comes
> loose, and can be snapped back into place.
>
> http://www.geindustrial.com/pm/notes/artsci/art02.pdf
>
> Less likely, the thermostat or sensor switch driving the relay might not
> be closing fully, or has gotten resistive.
>
> Best solution might be to replace the relay, and see if that solves the
> problem. If it doesn't, the solution is probably in the switch or
> thermostat.
>
> I hope this does something to improve the knowledge : baggage ratio.
<AOL>
Me, Too!
</AOL> ;-)

Cheers!
Rich
[1] apostrophe used in lieu of accent grave

.

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