Specialist distributor Switchtec is offering a range of automotive relays from Hongfa. New cars are using more and more relays to control attractive, ‘value added’ features and functions within the vehicle.

This has led to an increase in demand for automotive relays year on year. The total automotive relay output for China for 2007 was 137 million relays, up 15% on 2006. Demand is forecast to increase to 650 million relays by 2010.

Aimed at the automotive industry, OEMs, equipment manufacturers, and PCB manufacturers/builders, the relays are used in automobiles, mobility vehicles, waste collection vehicles, caravans and trailers, and in motor control applications such as lifts, robotics, and garden machinery.

Ratings wise, the Hongfa automotive relay series ranges from the small PCB relay HFKW rated at 15A up to the large 70A HFV7 panel mount relay.

A technological development achieved by Hongfa is the twin relay. Two relays are packaged in one housing, both with their own coils and contacts. This space saving development enables more relays to be fitted to a PCB, as the relays can be populated closer together, saving valuable PCB space and reducing enclosure sizes and weight, which is a serious consideration in many automotive applications. Hongfa has three types of the relay that are also available as a twin relay. These are the HFKA, HFKC and the HFKD.

The latest automotive relay from Hongfa is the HFV9. This is a miniature relay measuring just 25x22x15mm, yet capable of switching 20A. Suitable for PCB or Faston connections, the relay’s compact size and high performance is ideal for automotive applications.

To perform some of the more complex applications within a vehicle, application specific relays are required. These are the Hongfa HF350 relays for flashing control (indicators), wiper control and delaying relay (oil pump).

All the Hongfa automotive relays from Switchtec are RoHS and ELV compliant. With more than 40 automotive relays types, and an expanding production capacity, Hongfa offers a complete automotive relay series. Major customers include Ford, Fiat, Delphi, Chery, and Jiangling motor companies.

The Hongfa automotive relay range is available from Switchtec on short delivery times. A dedicated automotive relay brochure is also available.

More information: www.switchtec.co.uk