Note: The 1014_2B is identical to the 1014_2, except that you have the option of whether you want to include the USB cable.

The PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/0/4 allows you to control high power devices such as incandescent light bulbs, fans, and pumps by electronically switching power on and off.

The 1014 has 4 Relay Outputs for switching AC or DC power; the relays are Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT).

Note: This board is not suitable for switching signals. It takes at least 100mA of current to bridge the oxide layer that forms on the relay contacts, and most signals will not meet this requirement. If you need to switch signals, check out the 1017 - PhidgetInterfaceKit 0/0/8.

Getting Started

Welcome to the 1014 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:

• 1014 Phidget InterfaceKit 1014 Phidget InterfaceKit
• USB cable and computer
• something to use with the 1014 (e.g. power supply and load)

Next, you will need to connect the pieces:

1. Connect the load and power supply in series.
2. Connect one end to the 0C (Common) terminal, and the other to the NO (Normally open) terminal.
3. Connect the 1014 to your computer using the USB cable.

Now that you have everything together, let's start using the 1014!

Using the 1014

Phidget Control Panel

In order to demonstrate the functionality of the 1014, the Phidget Control Panel running on a Windows machine will be used.

The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines.

Windows

To open the Phidget Control Panel on Windows, find the  icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for Phidget Control Panel

macOS

To open the Phidget Control Panel on macOS, open Finder and navigate to the Phidget Control Panel in the Applications list. Double click on the  icon to bring up the Phidget Control Panel.

For more information, take a look at the getting started guide for your operating system:

• Getting started with Windows
• Getting started with macOS

Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the 1014.

Relay Output

Double-click on a Digital Output object labelled Power Relay in order to run the example:

General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:

• Toggle the state of the relay by pressing the button.

Technical Details

Relays

A relay is an electrically-controlled switch. Although many types of electrical switches exist, a relay’s mechanical nature gives it the advantage of reliability and current-switching capacity. The main disadvantage to using mechanical relays is their limited life-span, as opposed to solid state relays who do not suffer from this drawback. For more information, check the Mechanical Relay Primer and the Solid State Relay Primer.

Using a Digital Output Relay

Relays have a connection scheme determined by the arrangement of contacts within the relay. Because relays are a type of switch, they are defined in the same way other electromechanical switches are defined.

In switch schemes, the number of poles represents the number of common terminals a switch has, and the number of throws represents the number of switchable terminals that exist for each pole. The relays used in the InterfaceKit 0/0/4 are SPDT relays: single pole, double throw. The internal construction of this type of relay is depicted in the diagram above. Many other types of relays exist: SPST, DPDT, and DPST, to name a few.

In an SPDT relay, one of the throw terminals is labelled normally closed (NC), and the other is labelled normally open (NO). As the name indicates, the normally closed terminal is the terminal connected to common when the relay coil is not powered. When the relay coil is energized by the relay control circuit, the electromagnetic field of the coil forces the switch element inside the relay to break its contact with the normally closed terminal and make contact with the normally open terminal. The switch element would then connect the normally open terminal and the common terminal. 

Using Relays as an H-Bridge for Motor Forward/Reverse

Connect the load (typically a DC Motor) to the COM terminals of the relay. The normally open (NO) terminals are connected to the power supply (VCC), and the normally closed (NC) terminals are connected to the ground (GND) of the power supply. You can toggle the corresponding output to switch the relays.

Looking at the diagram, when LeftCtrl is enabled and RightCtrl is disabled, the current will flow from the NO terminal of relay K1 through the motor and into the NC terminal of relay K2. This will cause the motor to rotate in one direction.

Similarily, if LeftCtrl is disabled and RightCtrl is enabled, the current will flow from the NO terminal of relay K2 through the motor and into the NC terminal of relay K1. This will cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction.

When both LeftCtrl and RightCtrl are disabled, both ends of the motor will be shorted to ground and no current will flow. When both leftCtrl and RightCtrl are enabled, both ends of the motor will be shorted to VCC and again, no current will flow.

Wetting Current

When a relay is in one switch position for a period of time, oxidation of the open contact(s) can occur. Depending upon the internal coating material of the contacts, oxide films of varying density will be displaced upon the surface of open contacts; this film acts as an insulator to current flow. When the relay is switched, a certain amount of current flowing through the contacts, known as the wetting current, is required to remove the film of oxides and ensure proper conduction. Because of this requirement, these relays are not reliable for signal switching. Check the specification table for your relay board to find out the Minimum Load Current or Wetting Current.