Understand Relay Specifications to Get the Most Out of Your
Life ExpectancyMaximum Switching VoltsCold Switching VoltageSwitch CurrentCarry CurrentPulsed Carry CurrentPower RatingMinimum Switching VoltageOperate TimeSome users ignore the power rating, but this specification has a major impact on relay life. A signal at both the maximum switching voltage and the maximum switch current will generally exceed the power rating of the relay. For example, a relay with a 60W power rating, may have a maximum switching voltage of 250V and a maximum switch current of 2A....See more on pickeringtest Wikipedia
Protective relay - Wikipedia
OverviewRelays by functionsOperation principlesTypes according to constructionPower source
The various protective functions available on a given relay are denoted by standard ANSI device numbers. For example, a relay including function 51 would be a timed overcurrent protective relay. An overcurrent relay is a type of protective relay which operates when the load current exceeds a pickup value. It is of two types: instantaneous over current (IOC) relay and definite time overcurrent (DTOC) relay.