Can you provide some context?Just curious if a relay is considered a load, i know it draws power but is it a device or a load?
Just curious if a relay is considered a load, i know it draws power but is it a device or a load?
Device, just because it uses incindental energy to control or carry electricity does not effect it's primary function.
Device. A unit of an electrical system that carries or controls electric energy as its principal function.
J, welcome to the forum!
Can you provide some context?
Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to reply, i had touble finding my own post here, it is my first.
I am an electrical instructor and the question actually came from an HVAC student. He was asking in reference to the low voltage relay in his wiring schematic, and wanted to know if it was a load. I replied that imo it was a device and not a load as that is how we teach it in electrical.(A device is a peice of equipment meant to carry but not utilize power) But in HVAC it is considered a load. I asked the other instructors i worked with and everyone seemed to disagree on the definition of a load.(how much power does it have to use to be a load, and does it have to use power to accomplish a desired task?) because even wire uses a minute amount of electricity due to its resistance but no one considers it a load, a dimming switch also uses a minute amount of power to function but no one considers it a load.
I appreciate everyones input here and i believe you all basically came to the conclusion i did, that it depends on its function. If a relay falls under the jurisdiction of the nec it is a device by its definition, But as soon as you get to the electronics world it is very much so a load.
It's worth noting the explanatory text from the 2008 NEC Handbook Article 100 Definition of Device:Just curious if a relay is considered a load, i know it draws power but is it a device or a load?
This definition applies within the Premises Wiring (System) (another Article 100 Definition). Also, note the last sentence of the definition of Premises Wiring (System) describes that which, though connected, is not part of the Premises Wiring (System).2008 NEC Handbook
Article 100 Definitions
Device. A unit of an electrical system that carries or controls electric energy as its principal function.
Components (such as switches, circuit breakers, fuseholders, receptacles, attachment plugs, and lampholders) that distribute or control but do not consume electrical energy are considered devices. Devices that consume incidental amounts of electrical energy in the performance of carrying or controlling electricity are also considered devices. Some examples of these components include a switch with an internal pilot light, a GFCI receptacle, and even a magnetic contactor.