# Explain the “maximum opening and closing capacity” in the relay characteristics data

**URL:** <https://forum.digikey.com/t/explain-the-maximum-opening-and-closing-capacity-in-the-relay-characteristics-data/33828>\
**Category:** Relays\
**Tags:** electromechanical, relays, omron, faqs\
**Created:** [August 3, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/explain-the-maximum-opening-and-closing-capacity-in-the-relay-characteristics-data/33828 "2023-08-03T16:39:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AaronRollens](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/user_avatar/forum.digikey.com/aaronrollens/32/8752_2.png) [@AaronRollens](https://forum.digikey.com/u/AaronRollens)\
**Post date:** [August 3, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://forum.digikey.com/t/explain-the-maximum-opening-and-closing-capacity-in-the-relay-characteristics-data/33828/1 "2023-08-03T16:39:14Z")

</div>

### Question:

Explain the “maximum opening and closing capacity” in the relay characteristics data.

![Block](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/5/5/55dcf4301ea7c5ffe6276999c26abe879bc7edff.png)

### Answer:

The graph of the maximum switching capacity provides the maximum voltage and current that can be switched based on the load type, voltage and current.

![Block](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/5/5/55dcf4301ea7c5ffe6276999c26abe879bc7edff.png)

### Explanation:

### Maximum switching capacity

Maximum switching capacity of G6B-1174P shown for example

#### (Example 1)

How much can switching current (A) be opened and closed  
when switching a resistive load and an inductive load of 250 VAC?

**Red vertical line**  
Read the contact current that can open and close at the point **●** where the 250 V line of contact voltage (red line) crosses the black line of contact current.

- AC resistive load: 8 A at point (a). Switching of 250 VAC and 8 A is available.
- AC inductive load: 2 A at point (b). Switching of 250 VAC and 2 A is available.

#### (Example 2)

How much can A be opened and closed when switching a resistance load and an inductive load of 30 VDC?

**Blue vertical line**  
Read the contact current that can open and close at the point **●** where the 30 V line of contact voltage (blue line) crosses the black line of contact current.

- DC resistive load: 8 A at point (c). Switching of 30 VDC and 8 A is available.
- DC inductive load: 2 A at point (d). Switching of 30 VDC and 2 A is available.

\*If a vertical line is drawn based on the customer’s load voltage, the current value is the intersection based on the load is the current value that can be opened and closed.  
Inductive load comes from data at AC cosφ = 0.4 and DC L/R = 7 ms.

 ![Resistive load / Inductive load](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/f/7/f79a5ec3b1a025865380e0be399e40ab4010676c.png)

![Block](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/5/5/55dcf4301ea7c5ffe6276999c26abe879bc7edff.png)

### Quick tips

Test and confirm on the actual equipment regardless of the opening/closing capacity.

![Block](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/digikey/original/3X/5/5/55dcf4301ea7c5ffe6276999c26abe879bc7edff.png)

Please visit the link below to see this product line on the Digi-Key website  
[Relays | Digi-Key Electronics](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/category/relays/14)

  

This FAQ has been brought to you courtesy of

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Please click the link below to view the original FAQ  
[https://components.omron.com/us-en/faq/relays/FAQE10011](https://components.omron.com/us-en/faq/relays/FAQE10011)