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Glite Dictionary
impulse relay

impulse relay

8.2
A small electric switch that changes when you press a button and stays that way until pressed again
  • noun
  • /ˈɪmˌpʌls ˈriːleɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : relé de impulso
  • When the button is pressed, the impulse relay changes state and remains in position until triggered again.

Examples

  • The building's lighting system uses an impulse relay to allow lights to be controlled from multiple locations.

  • Technicians installed an impulse relay to reduce energy waste caused by constantly powered coils.

  • The impulse relay activated the motor instantly.

  • Can you explain how an impulse relay works?

  • The building's lighting system uses an impulse relay to control the lights from multiple locations without requiring constant power.

  • When the button is pressed, the impulse relay switches on and stays in that position until it is triggered again.

  • Technicians installed an impulse relay to ensure the circuit remained active even when the power was turned off.

Synonyms

stay relay
vsimpulse relay
  • Specialized
7.9

An electrical switch that stays in the same position when power is removed

emphasizes its use in electrical circuits for switching operations
latching relay
vsimpulse relay
  • Specialized
6.5

A device that stays on or off after being switched, even when control power is removed

focuses on indefinite holding as used in circuit switching applications
keep relay
vsimpulse relay
  • Specialized
8.2

An electrical switch that stays in its last on or off position without power

stresses its use in electrical switching circuits rather than only holding after de-energizing
bistable relay
vsimpulse relay
  • Specialized
7.8

A switch that stays in one of two positions without power and changes when briefly given electricity

focuses on indefinite holding without requiring brief activation to change positions

How Long

impulse relay
  • Specialized
8.2
time-switch
  • Specialized
4.2

Surface Forms

impulse relay singular
impulse relays plural

Morphology

impulse + relay

A learner who knows 'impulse' as a short electrical pulse and 'relay' as a circuit-controlled switch can reasonably infer this refers to a relay actuated by a pulse. However, the precise technical property—that it latches or maintains its contact position indefinitely without coil power—is specialized and not fully predictable from the basic word meanings, so the expression is only partially transparent to a B1 learner.

Etymology

Impulse relay is named for how it works: a quick impulse (a short 'push' of electricity) makes a relay (a switch) change and then 'stay' in that new position until another impulse comes. That's why an impulse relay lets one button press turn a light or circuit on or off and keep that state without power being held continuously.