I am in need of a little assistance on relays. I need the explanation of a few things. I understand how relays work in that you have a magnet that when energised(toggle switch lets say), it flips a switch in the relay that allows the high power to flow to the device, saving the toggle switch. What I am having trouble with is when would you use a 5 wire relay. Is it when you want to control more than one device with the one relay?, What is the purpose of having a diode across the coil in the relay. Do they only do that with the 5 wire, or can they do it with the 4 wire as well?I am about to order some relays on ebay and ran across these. Just need an explanation. O K you EEs can we do it in simplese?
Bill
Bill