ALSTOM AH116-2

Description

Product Description

The ALSTOM AH116-2 is a vital component from the Alstom (now part of GE Grid Solutions) range of industrial control and signaling equipment. This unit is a high-performance auxiliary relay, commonly used for electrical isolation, contact multiplication, and logical interposing within protection, control, and automation circuits. The ALSTOM AH116-2 is engineered for reliability in demanding environments such as electrical substations, railway signaling, and industrial plants, where precise and fail-safe switching is required. It typically features multiple changeover contacts with high breaking capacity, allowing a single input signal to control several circuits or to provide both normally-open and normally-closed outputs. For engineers designing or maintaining safety-critical control panels, the availability and specification of the ALSTOM AH116-2 (Product Link) are crucial. Its robust construction ensures long mechanical and electrical life, making the ALSTOM AH116-2 a trusted choice for applications requiring dependable signal interfacing.

Product Parameters

• Product Type: Auxiliary Relay (High-Performance, Multi-contact)

• Brand & Series: ALSTOM, AH Series

• Model: ALSTOM AH116-2

• Contact Configuration: Typically features 8 changeover contacts (or 16 make/break contacts). The “-2” suffix often denotes a specific coil voltage or contact arrangement.

• Coil Voltage: Available in various standard DC or AC voltages (e.g., 24V DC, 48V DC, 110V DC, 110V AC, 220V AC). The exact voltage must be specified.

• Contact Rating: Rated for specific current and voltage (e.g., 10A at 250V AC resistive, 5A at 30V DC).

• Operating Time: Fast operate and release times, typically in the range of 10-20 milliseconds.

• Electrical Life: High number of mechanical and electrical operations (e.g., millions of mechanical, hundreds of thousands at rated load).

• Mounting: Designed for DIN rail or panel mounting.

• Termination: Screw terminals for secure wiring.

• Standards: Complies with relevant IEC and railway (e.g., RIA12) or industrial standards.

Advantages and Features

The ALSTOM AH116-2 offers significant advantages for control system design. Its primary feature is High Contact Density, which saves considerable panel space by consolidating the function of several single or double-pole relays into one unit. It provides Excellent Contact Reliability with a design focused on minimizing contact bounce and arcing, ensuring consistent switching performance. The relay offers Wide Coil Voltage Compatibility, allowing it to be integrated into various control voltage systems. Robust Mechanical Construction ensures resistance to vibration and shock, which is critical in transportation and heavy industrial applications. Furthermore, the ALSTOM AH116-2 facilitates Simplified Wiring and Maintenance due to its clear terminal layout and modular design. For reliable signal distribution and isolation, the ALSTOM AH116-2 (Product Link) is a proven and efficient component.

Application Cases in Various Fields

This auxiliary relay is widely used in industries requiring robust and reliable hard-wired logic.

• Railway Signaling & Electrification: Used in interlocking and control circuits for points (switches), signals, and track circuits due to its compliance with railway standards and high reliability.

• Electrical Substations: Employed in protection and control schemes to replicate trip/close signals from protective relays to multiple circuit breakers or to provide interposing isolation between different voltage-level circuits.

• Industrial Automation (Steel, Mining): Acts as an interface between PLC digital output cards and high-power contactors or solenoid valves, providing contact multiplication and electrical isolation.

• Power Generation Plants: Used in turbine auxiliary control systems and sequence logic where high-density, reliable relay logic is required.

• Marine Control Systems: Found in engine control rooms and bridge control panels for machinery automation and alarm circuits.

Comparison with Competing Products

The ALSTOM AH116-2 competes with high-density industrial relays from manufacturers like Siemens (3TH/3TX), ABB (CR-M), Schneider Electric (RXZ), and Fuji. Its key differentiator is its strong heritage and certification in the railway and heavy industrial sectors, where its performance under vibration and its long electrical life are validated. Compared to general-purpose relays, the AH116-2 typically offers a higher contact count and a more robust build quality. Against solid-state relays (SSRs), it provides galvanic isolation and the ability to switch a wider range of AC/DC voltages without heat sinking, though with slower switching speeds and mechanical wear. Its value lies in offering a high-performance, electromechanical solution for applications where proven reliability is paramount.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

• Selection Suggestions:

  1. Specify Coil Voltage Precisely: Determine the control circuit voltage (DC or AC) and order the ALSTOM AH116-2 with the exact matching coil voltage.

  2. Verify Contact Load: Ensure the relay’s contact rating (current, voltage, AC/DC) is suitable for the load it will switch (e.g., contactor coil, indicator lamp, alarm siren). Consider inrush currents for inductive loads.

  3. Count Required Contacts: Confirm that the 8-changeover contact configuration meets the needs of your application (e.g., number of circuits to be controlled or status signals to be provided).

  4. Consider Environment: For harsh environments (dust, humidity), verify the relay’s ingress protection (IP) rating or plan for an appropriate enclosure.

• Precautions:

  1. Use Suppression Diode for DC Coils: When driving the relay coil from a DC source (especially a PLC output), always connect a flyback/freewheeling diode in reverse parallel across the coil to suppress the voltage spike upon de-energization, which can damage the driving circuit.

  2. Proper Fusing: Protect the contacts by installing correctly rated fuses in the load circuit, especially when switching capacitive or high inrush currents.

  3. Secure Wiring: Ensure all terminal screws are tightened to the specified torque to prevent loose connections that can overheat.

  4. Avoid Contact Welding: Do not exceed the rated breaking current for the connected load. For highly inductive loads, consider using an RC snubber network across the contacts.

  5. Source Authentic Relays: Always procure the genuine ALSTOM AH116-2 (Product Link) from authorized or highly reputable distributors. Counterfeit relays may use inferior materials for contacts and springs, leading to premature failure, contact welding, or unsafe operation in critical safety circuits.

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