If you’re looking to control two lights with a single 12-volt relay, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will walk you through the entire process of wiring a 5 pole relay for two lights. Whether you’re an expert electrician or just starting, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know.
What is a 12 Volt Relay?
A 12-volt relay is an electrical switch that is operated by an electromagnet. It is used to control a high current or high voltage load with a low current signal. Relays are commonly used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications.
Types of 12 Volt Relays
There are several types of 12-volt relays, but the two most commonly used are the SPDT (single pole, double throw) and the DPDT (double pole, double throw) relays. The SPDT relay has one common terminal, one normally open terminal, and one normally closed terminal. The DPDT relay has two common terminals, two normally open terminals, and two normally closed terminals.
Choosing the Right Relay
Choosing the right relay depends on the application. In this case, we want to control two lights with a single relay, so a DPDT relay is the best choice.
Wiring Diagram
Here is the wiring diagram for a 5 pole relay for two lights:
| Terminal | Wire color | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Red | Power to relay |
| 87A | Green | Normally closed (NC) terminal for light 1 |
| 87 | Yellow | Normally open (NO) terminal for light 1 |
| 86 | Black | Ground |
| 85 | Blue | Trigger (switch) wire for relay |
| 87A | White | Normally closed (NC) terminal for light 2 |
| 87 | Orange | Normally open (NO) terminal for light 2 |
Explanation of the Wiring Diagram
The power wire (red) is connected to terminal 30 of the relay. The ground wire (black) is connected to terminal 86. The trigger wire (blue) is connected to terminal 85.
For light 1, the normally closed (NC) terminal (green) is connected to the negative wire of the light. The normally open (NO) terminal (yellow) is connected to the positive wire of the light. This means that when the relay is not energized, the negative wire of the light is connected to ground, and the positive wire of the light is connected to power.
For light 2, the normally closed (NC) terminal (white) is also connected to the negative wire of the light. The normally open (NO) terminal (orange) is also connected to the positive wire of the light. This means that when the relay is not energized, the negative wire of light 2 is connected to ground, and the positive wire of light 2 is connected to power.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of a 12-volt relay?
A 12-volt relay is used to control a high current or high voltage load with a low current signal.
What is a DPDT relay?
A DPDT (double pole, double throw) relay has two common terminals, two normally open terminals, and two normally closed terminals.
How do I choose the right relay?
Choosing the right relay depends on the application. In this case, we want to control two lights with a single relay, so a DPDT relay is the best choice.
What is a wiring diagram?
A wiring diagram is a diagram that shows the electrical connections between devices or components.
What is a terminal?
A terminal is a connection point for a wire or other electrical component.
What is the trigger (switch) wire?
The trigger wire is the wire that is used to activate the relay. In this case, it is the blue wire.
That’s it! You should now have a good understanding of how to wire a 5 pole relay for two lights. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave a comment below.
