Japanese electronics company Omron has launched a high inrush capability relay for safe, smart lighting controls in buildings.

The G5RL-K-EL latching relay is tailored for the high inrush performance needed in smart building automation systems and for the control of capacitive loads.

The low-profile power relay – suitable for controlling fluorescent and LED lamps – has a single contact structure, which is said to make it highly competitive.

The 16A relay is approved to IEC60669-1, and has an inrush current capability up to 255A, making it suitable for demanding switching environments where loads vary enormously. The device is also compatible with the IEC60335-1 safety standard for electrical and electronic household appliances. The latching design saves energy as there is no hold current to keep the relay open.

The device is a timely addition to the company’s popular G5RL relay family, explained Andries de Bruin, senior European product marketing manager at Omron.

“Smart building systems can reduce the need to touch shared surfaces, an important safety measure as we return to working life after Covid-19,” he said. “So facilities managers are increasingly turning to automated lighting to increase safety as well as save energy. But the highly variable loads typical of these systems demand specialist components. The new G5RL-K-EL is a smart solution to this growing challenge.”

Omron is a specialist in electromechanical PCB relays, as well as a supplier of components such as micro switches, mosfet relays, DIP switches, photo-microsensors and connectors. Its products include MEMS based pressure, flow and thermal measurement sensors, human face and gesture recognition modules, and vibration and tilt sensors.

Established in 1933, Omron has about 28,000 employees worldwide, working to provide products and services in around 120 countries and regions. In the field of industrial automation, Omron supports manufacturing innovation by providing automation technologies and products, as well as customer support.