Switching relays distribute high operating currents (Focus Turnier 1)

Your Focus has a number of consumers that require higher operating currents than others. In order to achieve maximum safety with the smallest possible wire diameters, Ford controls these consumers from the central switching unit via individual switching relays. A small switching current then flows through switching on and off in order to switch the operating current to the consumer in the relay.

Switching and operating currents have different tasks

When the corresponding consumer is switched on, the switching current in the switching relay acts on the electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic coil, counteracting the spring pressure, attracts the powerful contact and thus closes the electric circuit to the consumer. In order to supply the consumer with the highest possible voltage, the operating current goes to its target directly through the relay.

The relay contacts are designed so robustly that they can withstand high currents for a long time. In addition, the supposed "bypass path" through the relay shortens the path of the operating current. The advantage: the shorter the paths, the less voltage loss between the switch and the consumer.

Different tasks are performed by special relays

To improve visibility and troubleshooting, most relays in the Focus are grouped on special carrier boards. In addition, there are relay types in the on-board circuit that perform certain functions almost next to their "working place". These include, for example, the flasher relay for the turn signals, the windscreen wiper relay and the pre-heating relay in the Focus with a diesel engine.

(The original can be found on the specified resource: «fordbook»)