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This section provides an overview for automotive relays as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 automotive relay manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked automotive relay companies as of December, 2024: 1.Cit Relay & Switch, 2.Amperite Co., 3.Fujitsu Components America, Inc..
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Automotive Relays are relays designed to fit the control of electrical components in automobiles.
There are many Automotive Relays for different applications. Since the electrical circuit design differs according to each automobile manufacturer, various relays are manufactured and sold according to the automobile manufacturer's standards and according to the load.
Recently, when repairing electrical components in the event of an automobile breakdown, it has become possible to quickly repair the broken Automotive Relay in the electrical circuit by replacing the entire module at once.
Automotive Relays are used as relays for electrical circuits related to the control of automobiles. Automotive Relays come in many types, including relays used to control lamps such as headlights and taillights, and motor control relays used to operate power windows and door mirrors.
They are also indispensable in the electrical circuits of automobiles, such as relays used to control air conditioners and rear-glass heaters, and those used in circuits required for battery charging.
Figure 1. Example of a typical relay structure
Automotive Relays generally have a simple structure consisting of an electromagnet with an enameled wire coil wound around an iron core, a movable contact, and a fixed contact.
There is no special structure as a control relay, but it is designed with weight reduction, vibration resistance, and durability in mind. The weight of an automobile affects fuel efficiency and driving performance. Although each Automotive Relay is lightweight, it is important to reduce its weight since many Automotive Relays are used in a single vehicle.
Also, unlike household electrical appliances, electrical components used in automobiles are constantly exposed to vibration from running and gasoline engines. To increase the durability of automobiles, relays with excellent vibration resistance and durability are used.
Another advantage of relays is their low operating noise. Automotive Relays used for motor control, such as power window operation, are often designed to be small and quiet. Another feature of relays is that they are designed for mass production to the specification requirements of each automobile manufacturer.
There are various types of Automotive Relays depending on their mechanisms.
The electromagnetic force generated by an electromagnet attracts a piece of iron (movable contact) and turns the contact ON/OFF by its movement. In the relay shown in Figure 1, when the electromagnet is energized, the iron strip (movable contact) is attracted to the electromagnet, turning the a-contact ON and the b-contact OFF. When the current is removed, the restoring force of the return spring causes the iron strip to return to its original position, turning the a-contact OFF and the b-contact ON.
Figure 2. Example of a plunger-type relay structure
When the plunger is attracted by electromagnetic force and inserted into the coil, the electromagnetic force is also generated on the plunger side, resulting in a strong attractive force. This mechanism allows the plunger to travel a large distance, making it possible to control large relay contacts.
An example of use is the EV relay (SMR) shown below. The reed relay has a contact structure with a pair of magnetic leads. A coil is wound around a glass tube, which moves the reeds to turn the contacts on and off.
Figure 3. EV Relay (SMR) Usage Example
Among Automotive Relays, there is a relay for EVs. This relay is called an SMR (system main relay) and is inserted into the high-voltage circuit on the way to send the high power from the vehicle's high-voltage battery to the drive inverter and other devices to open and close the main power source.
In the event of a vehicle collision, the SMR is controlled to disconnect the high-voltage battery to prevent secondary disasters such as electric shock, etc. Relays for EVs are required to be able to interrupt high-voltage DC in a short time and be compact and lightweight.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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CIT Relay & Switch is based in Rogers, Minnesota, and is a manufacturer of RoHS-compliant electromechanical relays and switches with the ability to offer integrated solutions for individual customers’ design needs. CIT’s relays are commonly used in automobiles and low-voltage operations. CIT’s switch catalog includes varieties such as surface mount, panel mount, tactile, pushbutton, and more. CIT has a lab for a new design, validation product testing, IQC, failure analysis, and material testing. IQC ensures documented reliability by testing contact material, resistance, dielectric strength, and other parameters. CIT also provides engineering and application support for materials and processes.
Amperite Co., through OlympicControls Corp., was founded in 1968 with roots going back to 1922. The company serves military and industrial market segments with motor controls, circuit controls, alarms, and other systems. The company offers four specific, focused business units that maintain identities in separate end-user applications: Amperite Co., OlympicControls Relays, T-Bar Relays, switches, and Fuel Pumps. Amperite manufactures time delay relays, flashers, and controlling devices. OlympicControls offers customized products manufactured to customer specifications. T-Bar Relays serves OEMs and customers such as Raytheon and Learjet. Fuel Pumps serve military and heavy-duty trucks.
HKE Holdings Limited, founded in 1976 and located in Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, is a manufacturer specializing in relays. The company specializes in producing various types of relays, including communication relays, power relays, magnetic retention relays, and automotive relays. The vast majority of its products have passed UL, CSA, TUV, VDE, as well as CQC and other certifications, and are exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, America, and other countries around the world.
Founded in 1984, Xiamen Hongfa Electroacoustic Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer specializing in relays, connectors, precision manufacturing parts, and automation equipment. Headquartered in Xiamen, China, the company has established 30 subsidiaries worldwide, serving over 120 countries and regions. HONGFA offers customized solutions utilizing its electrical appliances and complete equipment. Its wide range of products finds applications in various industries such as smart homes, smart grids, industrial control, automotive and railway transportation, and the Internet of Things. The company has received multiple awards, including the 2023 National Enterprise Culture Outstanding Achievement by China Enterprise Confederation and China Entrepreneurs Association.
Fujitsu Component Limited was founded in Japan jointly by Fujitsu Limited and Takamizawa Electric Co. Ltd in 1995 which is a global manufacturer and seller of switching devices (relays) and Human interface devices such as keyboards, thermal printers, touch panels and switches. Their relay portfolio consists of relays for signal, power and automobiles applications. In addition they also manufacture eco friendly relay products. Fujitsu has establish several global support centers worldwide to ensure uninterrupted service. The group has adopted an environment philosophy which states that they will adhere to the corporate activities while improving their coexistence with the environment.
Fujitsu Components America, Inc. is a global leader in electronics manufacturing services (EMS), providing integrated services and solutions for OEMs and ODMs operating in the automotive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial and medical sectors. Fujitsu Components America’s Products include relays, touch panels, and wireless modules, and input and pointing devices. Fujitsu Component America serves customers across volume spectrums in variable-mix, variable-volume production.
DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED was established in 1976 in Aichi, Japan provides industrial solutions through its manufacturing technology by developing and producing automatic identification equipment, industrial robots, controllers, and system solutions. The company is known for creating QR codes and cloud services, which are registered trademarks of DENSO WAVE Inc. These codes and services are used for anti-forgery measures and in business cards or catalogs. Their AUTO-ID products include terminals, scanners, RFIDs, and software that enables various operations. These products are supported by customized system solutions such as QR code solutions and IoT solutions (Internet of Things).
Goodsky Electric Co., Ltd., established in 1989, and based in Taiwan, is a manufacturer and supplier of electromechanical relays and related products. The company’s products include power relays, signal relays, automotive relays, general-purpose relays, and latching relays, applied in home appliances, automotive, industrial automation, telecommunications, and more. Known for reliability and precision, Goodsky's relays excel in critical applications. They prioritize customer satisfaction, consistently providing advanced solutions to meet market demands. Goodsky delivers impressive discounts through good products, compliance with international standards, and outstanding customer service and technical support.
Tianbo Electronics Co., Ltd., founded in 1992 in Ningbo, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of good quality electromechanical relays and related components. Tianbo's product range includes power relays, signal relays, automotive relays, and general-purpose relays, all designed to meet the diverse needs of customers. The company specializes in providing good and efficient relay solutions for various industries, including automotive, household appliances, and telecommunications. With a motive for customer satisfaction, Tianbo continues to be a good provider of cutting-edge relay technology.
Omron Corporation, started in 1933 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of automation components, equipment, and systems, and it developed the first contactless proximity switch in 1960. It has four domains, including industrial automation, electronic components, healthcare, and social systems, and it provides products and services in around 120 countries and regions. Some of its products include microsensing devices, access control systems, industrial robots, surveillance cameras, and blood pressure monitors. In 1971, it developed the first online cash machine, and in 1972, it established Japan’s first welfare factory.
Today, DSC-Electronics Germany supplies customers all over the world and offers the largest selection of models on the market, with over 255 customisable low and high-power power supplies (100W to 1MW) and ten product series. In mid-2018, the company moved into a new production facility in the centre of Bonn, further expanding its assembly and service capacities. Production to order makes it possible to implement almost any customer request quickly and effectively, which sets the company apart from other Europe-based competitors
OMRON Electronic Components Europe is the European division of OMRON Corporation, which is based in Kyoto, Japan, and has head offices around the world. The European division has its own development and manufacturing facilities providing local customer support provided in all European countries. The European division produces PCBs and other components for the eSports, alternative energy, automated test equipment, and entertainment industries. The company’s four primary product divisions are relays, switches, connectors, and sensors including flow sensors and IoT sensors.
Adolf Föhl GmbH + Co KG is a manfuacturer and supplier of zinc die casting and hybrid components for automotive, mounting, and electronic sectors. Its components serve vital roles in various industries, enhancing performance and structural integrity in automotive systems, supporting stability in mounting applications, and for functionality in electronic devices. With an annual output of approximately 490 million parts across facilities in Germany and China, the company also adheres to DIN ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 standards.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cit Relay & Switch |
19.7%
|
| 2 | Amperite Co. |
12.9%
|
| 3 | Fujitsu Components America, Inc. |
9.0%
|
| 4 | FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED |
8.1%
|
| 5 | Tianbo Electronics |
6.5%
|
| 6 | GOODSKY |
6.5%
|
| 7 | HKE |
6.0%
|
| 8 | Adolf Föhl GmbH + Co KG |
5.7%
|
| 9 | DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED |
5.3%
|
| 10 | Omron Corporation Device ＆ Module Solutions Company |
5.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the automotive relay page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
4 | 33.3% |
|
Japan
|
4 | 33.3% |
|
United States of America
|
2 | 16.7% |
|
Taiwan
|
1 | 8.3% |
|
Germany
|
1 | 8.3% |
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