What is the relay or solenoid component that opens and closes the switching contacts?

What is the relay or solenoid component that opens and closes the switching contacts?

• A. Contacts
• B. Armature
• C. Coil
• D. Plunger

Answer: (B)

The armature is the moving element that actuates the switch contacts. When the coil is energized, its magnetic field pulls the armature toward the core, causing the contacts to open or close and thus switch the circuit. The coil provides the energy, the contacts are the switching surfaces, and while some devices use a plunger as the moving piece, in relays the component that directly opens and closes the contacts is the armature.

The armature is the moving element that actuates the switch contacts. When the coil is energized, its magnetic field pulls the armature toward the core, causing the contacts to open or close and thus switch the circuit. The coil provides the energy, the contacts are the switching surfaces, and while some devices use a plunger as the moving piece, in relays the component that directly opens and closes the contacts is the armature.