What is a Volt-Free Contact? | Electricians Q&A

Рет қаралды 31,023

Күн бұрын

Volt free, potential free or dry contacts are commonly found on electronic equipment. In this video, we explain what a volt free contact is, how they operate and why you'd use them.
This electricians' Q&A was raised in response to our recent review of the Ferret Wireless switch from RF solutions. 📺 👉 • RF Solutions Ferret - ...
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🕐 TIME STAMPS 🕕
00:00 What are volt free contacts
00:42 Loads of electronics
01:35 No volt contact
01:58 Common
02:31 Normally open and normally closed
03:42 Line and switching line
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Пікірлер: 38

@efixx 2 жыл бұрын

Check out the RF Solutions Ferret with volt free contacts ✅ 👉 kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r9R4Z5mQrba2gmw.html

@thattoolguy9432 2 жыл бұрын

Volt free contacts have been used in PLC and fire alarms for years, it's only recently hit the domestic market, mvhr's and heating controls seem to be becoming this way.. isolated supply is another term... good explanation Joe

@mastergx1 2 жыл бұрын

I've been asked that question before "what is a volt-free contact". My answer has not changed - "its the arse end of a relay"!

@efixx Жыл бұрын

😂

@richardpugh8702 2 жыл бұрын

Great explanation, I'm currently using a 4Ch Sonoff controller in conjunction with an RF Door Access system I've installed for our garden gate. It enables me to interrupt the Push to Open and/or Maglock circuit in conjunction with smart routines to enable or disable use of the gate at certain times or on certain days and it works really well

@puntoboy_gt 2 жыл бұрын

I used to use a volt-free Shelly 1 smart relay to control my garage door opener via my smart home and phone. It was a really old opener and therefore only had a standard RF remote. The Shelly has Wi-Fi so connected to my home network and can be controlled from anywhere. I powered the Shelly with a 12v adapter and used the volt-free relay to connect the push button terminals on the door opener.

@seanthespark 2 жыл бұрын

Great explanation Joe 👍, we mostly use them in automation functions and time functions, the din rail mounted timers from the likes of greenbrook work in the same way, we use them for timed opening of site gates etc, normally with a gsm or rf/wifi receiver in parallel for out of hours access.

@eliey4677 11 ай бұрын

Great vid. Thanks from down under

@irfanrajput8236 2 ай бұрын

I have been using volt-free/potential-free/dry-contact in my circuits, since 2015. However, I have been using the term ISOLATED for this.

@micolislongis5558 Жыл бұрын

You're a great teacher.

@efixx Жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! 👍🏻

@brianwood5220 2 жыл бұрын

Well explained Joe 😁

@JasGawera 2 жыл бұрын

Have volt free on my UFH control, it is on a separate electric circuit to the boiler, so has a volt free contact to switch the boiler signal on when demand for heat is there. So no connection across circuits. I wonder if it should have a sticker indicating multiple circuits should be isolated before opening. Or maybe it is no different to the 2 gang switch at the bottom of my stairs. Thanks Joe

@scwfan08 2 жыл бұрын

I mostly use them in ripple control receivers for photovoltaic installations

@clivecoleman9543 Жыл бұрын

How do i wire two ceramic panels controled by a volt free thermostat.?

@alunroberts1439 2 жыл бұрын

So we're dose it get the power to close the relay and the control pcb.

@christopherhume8896 2 жыл бұрын

Sounds fun but I'm assuming it can't be fitted into an existing installation. Really need one that can take 230V but that means a transformer inside the back box.

@efixx 2 жыл бұрын

They do make a small PSU that could fit in a deep back box, check the full video out: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r9R4Z5mQrba2gmw.html

@raychambers3646 2 жыл бұрын

Theres a volt free contact on Danfoss roomstat. How do you separate hi / low volts in back box?

@efixx 2 жыл бұрын

Just make sure the lower voltage conductor has insulation rated at the higher voltage. 👍

@raychambers3646 2 жыл бұрын

@@efixx that's what I have done in the past ,also seen a paxolin separator used ,

@DofTF Күн бұрын

Nothing new here I was using devices like this back in the last 70s to control floodlights linked to alarm systems

@rob3125 2 жыл бұрын

Her in Denmark we call them potential free contacts.

@efixx 2 жыл бұрын

Good to know. 😊

@michaelgabriel1566 2 жыл бұрын

Same in Germany. Potenzialfreier Kontakt.

@justme5384 2 жыл бұрын

Finland too

@engineerrehman6821 Ай бұрын

So dry contact are voltage free contact

@Dog-whisperer7494 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting. So another pain in the bum when it comes to doing an IR test ? So we will have to waste time taking that thing out of circuit in order to carry out the tests? Brilliant idea,not but who am I to argue i’am just a Humble spark who’s opinion means nothing. Great video as always Joe 👍

@pn8902 2 жыл бұрын

Why do you need to take it out, its like any old light switch, just operated by a remote lol

@Dog-whisperer7494 2 жыл бұрын

@@pn8902 because an IR test could damage the electronic circuit board.

@pn8902 2 жыл бұрын

@@Dog-whisperer7494 right, but the relay’s outputs are galvanically isolated from the rest of the circuit (trust me I’m an electronic engineer), its just two contacts like a 2 way switch. However it depends on the type and quality of relay used. Besides, what if it was a regular dimmer switch, you’d have to remove it anyway so is it really a big deal.

@Dog-whisperer7494 2 жыл бұрын

@@pn8902 I get your point but BS7671 says electronic equipment must be removed from circuit before doing IR test

@deang5622 Жыл бұрын

@@Dog-whisperer7494 You need to think practically. Which IR are you measuring? The power to the device is DC at low voltage and you need to have a power supply to feed it. You're going to be testing the IR of the cable connected to the output. There is no reason why you can't apply the high test voltage with the cable connected to the relay. If the relay has been spec'd correctly it will handle it. You can research the type of relay online from its manufacturer and part number and make a determination as to whether it can handle the voltages in an IR. Or you can try it out. You don't have to blindly follow BS7671: it cannot cater for every single type of electrical apparatus that could be connected in an electrical installation.

@miketucker7466 2 жыл бұрын

It’s shows the sad state of electrical apprenticeship training that this sort of thing has to be explained! Or is that just from the training providers I see?

@Dog-whisperer7494 2 жыл бұрын

Hear we go again . I get in trouble because of someone else’s ignorant disrespect for my dislexic

@shaunclarke94 2 жыл бұрын