Download the online manual.   Download a printable manual.    Check the spec sheet.

How can I control higher-current loads?
How can I power the DIN relay itself?
Basics: What's a relay? How can I wire it up? Applications?  Do you have a mechanical drawing?
How do I connect the ADC inputs?
What are the connector specifications?
What is the power dissipation?  
What are the power requirements?
What pluggable mating terminals / connectors should I use?
What wiring gauge should I use?
I'd like to build a DC / solar powered IP Cam, WiFi AP, or similar DC powered system.  What components do I need?
What are the contact ratings?
What wire should I use?
How should I torque the terminals?
Can you develop custom hardware for my application?
Do you have a ruggedized version? Something suitable for mobile use?
How can I expand EEPROM to store scripts? (DIN, DIN2, DIN3)

Question:    What's new in version 4?

Answer:      In our second version, DIN Relay II, with serial numbers DIN22000 and higher, we added these features:

• Relay anti-chatter protection.  Maximum relay switching frequency is limited to ~2Hz for safety and longevity.
• Variable coil current control.  Relay holding and pull-in currents are regulated for improved efficiency.  Power consumption has been reduced by more than 40% from earlier models.
• Watchdog supervisor.  We've added a second processor which continuously monitors the microcontroller and reboots it gracefully if necessary.
• Increased memory. Non-volatile memory has been increased from 16kb to 256kb.  No memory expansion board is required for script storage.

In version 3.0 of  DIN Relay III, we added these features:

• DC input voltage rating now increased to 48VDC
• Added audio alarm-beeper
• Added 2x16 LCD display to display status and help with setup.
• Added internal real-time-clock with NTP and local time synchronization
• Numerous firmware upgrades including scheduling feature , increased AutoPing speed limit and added more scripting commands.
• Increased relay contact rating and durability
• Added keypad for local control
• Updated rating, testing, and specifications for higher DC input voltages
• Eliminated the internal RJ-45 bulkhead for more reliable connection to unshielded RJ-45 plastic plugs. Connection status displayed on LCD.
• Case color has changed, manual and box are updated, power consumption has increased slightly

In version 3.1, we added these features:

• Added RS-232 web console for remote machine control. The +5 supply has been removed.  RS-232 has 2.5kv isolation and is brought out to three screw terminals in the upper right hand corner.
• Added internal UVLO (Under Voltage Lock Out) for more reliable operation on battery power.  UVLO starts at 11.5V and shuts off at 10V to prevent battery damage.  This feature is designed to augment an existing UVLO/OVP charge controller in battery powered applications.  It is not a substitute for a solar/wind charge controller and doesn't guarantee proper reset of attached devices in the event that a battery is highly discharged.
• Minor internal improvements.

In version 4, we completely redesigned the unit and added a host of new features:

• Pluggable Pheonix connectors on all lines
• Fuses on relay common lines
• Power supply OVP with replaceable fuse
• WiFi
• SSL, SSH, RestAPI, extensive logging.
• Lua scripting
• OVP with replaceable fuse
• Temp/humidity sensor port for DH11 or DS18B20 type sensors
• Two ADC inputs scaled 0-10V and 0-100V

Tell us what you'd like to see in the next version - engineering@digital-loggers.com

Answer:           All eight internal T-90 Relays have the following ratings:

Relays are RU and CE component approved, and rated at 250,000 operations MTBF at 50% load.  Case terminals are rated at 8-12A, depending on agency.  Only stranded wire of appropriate gauge should be used.  Terminals must be well torqued, but not over 10in/lbs.  It is wise to recheck torque after completing the installation.  Heavy traces and gold plating are used to minimize internal resistance between the terminals and relay contacts, typically 25m Ohms, so internal contact power dissipation is not normally a consideration. For maximum flexibility, relay contacts are unprotected.  For high current inductive switching, consider adding an external snubber circuit to extend contact life. Download contact protection information from www.dinrelay.com/relaycare.pdf

Answer:  The relay dissipates an absolute maximum of 5.8W during switching with all relays on.   Power dissipation decreases with input voltage due to the use of an efficient switching power supply. Typical dissipation with relays off is 2W.  Although the case is well ventilated, ambient air temperature should not exceed 170°F for maximum reliability.  Surges over 40V P-P may damage the internal regulator. 

The relay will shut down at input voltages below 10.5VDC. If you expect to encounter brown-out conditions in your application, set the Power-on-Recovery Mode on the setup page for safest operation.  To prevent oscillation, a brown-out re-latch function is also provided on the Setup page. In the event of a brown-out, you may specify a time period after which the relay will attempt to re-latch the contacts. This function is disabled by default and has no effect if the relay is properly powered.   Please read the UVLO and OVP suggestions below.

Add an external MOV or other protection device across the power input terminals in noisy environments.  We are working hard to make this the most efficient product in its class.

Question:        Can you develop custom hardware for my application?

Answer:           Gladly.  We've done this for many customers.   Please call with your requirements

Question:        Do you support PowerMan?

Answer:           Yes, absolutely.  The latest code is here: Download the latest User Utility here.

Question:        How can I expand EEPROM to store scripts?

Answer:           If you have an early DIN relay (first model with a serial number below DIN22000), you'll need expanded memory.  A 256K bit EEPROM option is available, P/N 256EE.  This is a factory installed PCB, so you'll need to send the early unit back to DLI for upgrade.  If you have the new DIN Relay II, with serial number DIN22000 or higher, 256K of non-volatile memory is already installed. DIN4 and later are loaded with flash, so you won't need to expand those models.

Question:        What's a relay?  How can I wire it up?

Answer:           The DIN relay has dry contact FORM-C outputs.  They provide whatever output voltage you connect to them.  For example, if you connect a wire from the positive side of your 24V supply to the COM terminal, then the NO terminal will provide 24 volts when the relay is switched on, and the NC terminal will provide 24V when the relay is off.  You can operate the DIN relay on a different voltage than the relay contacts.  For example, the DIN relay could run on 12VDC, but switch 220VAC.  You can also use the relay to switch data, communications lines, or other electrical signals.  In a relay, contacts are electrically isolated from the coil.  The DIN relay controls the coil in the diagram below:

 

N.O. means Normally Open

N.C. means Normally Closed

COM means COMmon

Each relay is fully isolated, there is no internal connection between the relays. The word "common" describes the wiper of the relay itself which shares the NO and NC contacts in common. The COM pins on the DIN relay are not connected each other unless you elect to do so externally. Put simply, all relays are fully isolated.
 

A relay schematic looks like this:

 

Find a nice group of relay application notes and wiring examples here:  https://www.digital-loggers.com/relay.html

 

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If we haven't answered your questions here, please call (408) 330-5599 or send us an email.  We'll be glad to help.

© Digital Loggers, Inc. 2005.