If you’re interested in wiring up your lights with a 4 pin relay, you’ve come to the right place. A 4 pin relay is a popular way to control the power to your lights, especially if you’re looking for a safe and efficient way to manage them. In this article, we’ll take a look at everything you need to know about wiring a 4 pin relay for your lights.
What is a 4 Pin Relay?
A relay is an electrical switch that is activated by a current. It’s made up of a coil, an armature, and a set of contacts. The coil generates a magnetic field that pulls the armature towards it. The armature is connected to the contacts, so when the armature moves, the contacts move too. This allows the switch to be opened or closed, depending on whether the coil is energized or not.
A 4 pin relay is a type of relay that has 4 pins. It’s a popular choice for controlling lights because it’s easy to wire up and it’s also small and compact.
How to Wire a 4 Pin Relay for Lights?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to wire a 4 pin relay for your lights:
- Locate a suitable location near your battery to mount the relay.
- Connect a ground wire to the relay’s ground terminal and attach it to a clean metal surface on your vehicle.
- Connect the power wire from your switch to one of the relay’s control terminals. This wire should be fused with a single-stage fuse that’s rated for the maximum current draw of your lights.
- Connect the other control terminal to a source of power. This should be a wire that’s always hot, even when the key is off.
- Attach the positive wire from your lights to the relay’s common (C) contact. This is the center contact on the relay.
- Connect the other end of the positive wire from your lights to a fused power source that’s rated for the maximum current draw of your lights.
- Attach a ground wire from your lights to a clean metal surface on your vehicle.
Here’s a diagram that shows the wiring for a 4 pin relay for lights:
| Terminal | Description |
| 85 | Ground |
| 86 | Switched Power |
| 30 | Common (C) Contact |
| 87 | Normally Open (NO) Contact |
FAQ
What is a 4 pin relay used for?
A 4 pin relay can be used for a variety of applications, including controlling lights, horns, and other electrical devices. It’s a popular choice because it’s easy to wire up and it’s also small and compact.
How do I know what size fuse to use?
You should use a single-stage fuse that’s rated for the maximum current draw of your lights. To determine the maximum current draw, you can check the technical specifications of your lights, or you can measure the current with a multimeter. Make sure to choose a fuse that’s rated slightly higher than the maximum current draw to ensure safety.
What is a common (C) contact on a relay?
A common (C) contact is the center contact on a relay. It’s the contact that is connected to either the normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC) contact, depending on whether the relay is activated or not.
Can I use a 4 pin relay for high-powered lights?
Yes, you can use a 4 pin relay for high-powered lights, but you’ll need to make sure that the relay is rated for the maximum current draw of your lights. You should also use heavy-duty wiring and ensure that your ground connection is strong and secure.
Why is it important to ground my lights?
Grounding your lights ensures that they are properly grounded and provides a safe path for electrical current to flow. This helps to prevent electrical shock and other hazards.
Now that you know how to wire a 4 pin relay for your lights, you’re ready to get started! Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully and ensure that all connections are secure and properly grounded. With the right wiring, your lights will be safer and more efficient than ever before.
