Devices that turn on or off the light at a preset time are called time relays. They are very convenient and allow not only to save energy, but also to bring comfort to many areas of human life. You can find such an electric or electromechanical timer in many hardware stores and home appliance departments. Devices are of different types, differing in price and function.
Main characteristics
Monoblocs, which are timers, are most often built into a portable outlet, sometimes into an extension cord or adapter. This device controls the relay that connects the input and output contacts. It opens and closes them, thus stopping and restarting the supply of electricity to the connected device. The process is monitored and parameters are set through the control panel installed on the front of the monoblock.
Although different models of timers have the same principle of operation, they are quite different from each other. There are both simple mechanical devices and electrical ones with complex settings and many additional functions. They are designed to be used in different environments and for different purposes. They differ in the following characteristics:
Almost all devices of this type are equipped with a built-in battery that is rechargeable from the mains, and can work even if there is no power supply for 100 hours or more. A full charge of such a battery takes 12-14 hours. In addition to switching relays in automatic mode, most models can also be simply turned on or off manually.
Device types
Different types of timers and time relays differ in their principle of operation, switching period, installation method and conditions necessary for their normal operation. All of them have their own advantages, disadvantages and features of work, which make each type of device suitable for its types of tasks.
Mechanical and electrical
Control over the mechanical timer is carried out through a wheel divided into sections, showing the time intervals, and buttons or levers located on the front panel. Although a mechanical clock is built into it, which determines the time, the device's motor still requires power from the mains, therefore it would be more correct to call it electromechanical.
The smallest switching range on the device is 15 minutes. Such a timer is most often used to turn on and off the light with an interval of a day or a week, when the second-by-second accuracy and timing are not important. Its advantages include ease of setup and operation, as well as a low price in comparison with electric models, to the disadvantages - the impossibility of adjusting the parameters to specific needs and the absence of a backup power source. This model is well suited for simple tasks.
Among the most common breakdowns in electromechanical timers, wear of teeth and gears, due to which the adjusting wheel stops working, can be distinguished. In order to cope with this, you will have to call a wizard, but the likelihood of such a malfunction is much less than a variety of damage to parts and wires of electrical devices.
The electronic timer for turning on and off the light is controlled by a microprocessor. It is configured by a person using the panel located on the front of the device. The parameters are displayed on a small LCD display and are saved in the device's memory when turned off. Such a timer works from a built-in battery or batteries that are charged from the mains through an outlet.
The advantages of an electric timer in comparison with a mechanical one include a large selection of settings, the ability to set exact trigger parameters and visually see them on the display, minimal errors in time calculation and the ability to create small, up to a minute, switching ranges.
Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the higher price, as well as the fragility of such devices - sometimes their battery, parts and software fail. In addition, they are more susceptible to negative environmental influences and require additional protection from it.
By time of switching on and off
In addition to the principle of operation, timers differ in operating periods and response ranges. On this basis, they can be divided into the following groups:
There are also universal multifunctional devices with the ability to set parameters for any of these operating modes and combine them. But they are more difficult to operate and set up, so you shouldn't buy them unnecessarily.
Socket and stationary
By the type of installation, light timers are divided into socket and stationary. The first of them are connected to the electrical network through a socket using a standard plug, the second are placed in a specially installed box or rail of the separator board.
The socket relay is convenient when you need to control the operation of a separate electrical appliance or lighting in the same room. They are easy to install and use, are small in size, do not require auxiliary wiring for installation in the power grid, and can be moved from place to place as needed. A stationary relay does not share these advantages, but compensates for them with the ability to control the operation of electrical equipment in the entire residential building or work building at once. If this is exactly what is needed, then its installation will be much more convenient and profitable than using many mobile devices, even with all the disadvantages of this type of device.
By working conditions
When choosing a timer, there are sometimes important conditions under which they can work normally. For example, a device installed to adjust an automatic watering system for plants should continue to function when splashed with moisture, but a timer installed in a workshop will need dust protection.
The protection class of time relays, like other electrical appliances, is determined by the IP system. In total, there are 7 levels of protection against dust and 10 - against water, as well as additional designations of the device's resistance to weather, high voltage and other factors. They are indicated in the technical specifications of the device. The timer should be chosen in accordance with the conditions of the room in which it will then be installed.
In addition to protecting against harmful influences, it is necessary to take into account the maximum power of the devices that can be connected to the timer. In total, it should not exceed this indicator for the device itself. You can find it out in the instructions or on the information plate on the time relay case.
Timer functions
Electric and electromechanical timers are used to automatically control not only lighting, but also other electrical appliances: heaters (including underfloor heating systems), air conditioners, hoods, and others. Compared to permanent manual switching of devices, the use of a time relay has the following advantages:
Thus, time relays are quite common and are found everywhere in a person's daily life. They are inexpensive, but they significantly increase comfort and save time and effort, which has brought them popularity.
Criterias of choice
There is nothing complicated or unusual in choosing and buying a time relay. First you need to determine why such a device will be needed, what it will be used for and in what conditions it will work. Then you need to look at the following characteristics:
- discreteness of setting the switching time;
- instrument accuracy;
- the number of different set programs;
- the degree of protection from the effects of the external environment;
- maximum power of connected devices;
- convenience, clarity and accuracy of settings;
- the ability to connect several plugs to the relay at the same time;
- affordability of the price.
Comparing these characteristics with the purpose for which the time relay is purchased, it will not be difficult to choose the right model. In this process, you should not chase the most expensive and sophisticated devices - if, for example, you just need to turn on and off the light all the time at the same time, then a simple and cheap electromechanical timer with a clock will be enough. You can buy a timer in any electronics department or a specialized online store.
Automation is getting more and more into our apartments every day. Timed sockets are a very useful and simple device that will allow you to customize the operation of most electrical equipment in a variety of ways.
Thanks to them, you can easily turn on or off the heaters or air conditioner at home on a schedule. Imagine that in early autumn, when the heating season has not yet begun, you come home from work, and your apartment is already warm and comfortable. 
Timed sockets are indispensable if you want to create the effect for strangers that someone is present in your house. The lighting and TV will turn on and then turn off on their own in the evening. And at this time you yourself will be far from home. It sometimes helps from uninvited guests. 
Timed sockets are divided into 2 types:
- mechanical
- electronic
Mechanical
The simplest ones are mechanical. They have plastic sectors around the perimeter of the dial. By clicking on them, you can set the desired operating time of the device. 
Each sector segment is divided into 15 or 30 minutes (depending on the outlet brand). As a result, a maximum of 96 programs can be set per day.
Setting up a mechanical socket
- set the current time on the outlet
The timer rotates clockwise, it is impossible to rotate in the opposite direction due to the mechanical stop. You can break all the insides.
- click on the plastic sectors of the period when the device should turn on and work
- turn on the outlet and connect the plug of the equipment to be configured through it
- the device is ready to work
There are mechanical sockets with a timer and a different pattern, like those in washing machines. By turning the lever, you start the timer for a certain shutdown time. 
Mechanical type sockets can work constantly without a timer, for this they have a lock button on the side. 
The maximum power that can be connected through such devices reaches 3.5 kW. Some unscrupulous manufacturers overestimate these data. Therefore, I do not recommend immediately connecting the maximum possible load. Especially considering the fact that they will work without your presence and supervision, and the contacts inside are not so thick. 
It should be noted that mechanical sockets are only available on a daily basis. This means that the same program will work the same throughout the day. The cycle will repeat the next day.
Advantages
Advantages of sockets with a mechanical timer:
- low cost. 2-3 times cheaper than electronic type
- fast and easy mode switching
Everything is very simple. Pressed the button - the mode is on, squeezed out - off.No need to enter the menu, climb in the settings, etc. 
Flaws
There are also disadvantages:
- no built-in battery
There is no light in the apartment - the settings of the device go astray. For example, the water in the boiler may not be warmed up at all when you arrive home, but at a completely unexpected time for you.
The hour dial can run forward or backward for a few minutes, depending on whether there is overvoltage or undervoltage in the outlet.
Instructions for setting a mechanical socket with a timer -
You can choose a similar outlet and get acquainted with the current prices for them on Aliexpress.
Electronic
Timed electronic sockets are of two types:
- daily allowance
- weekly
The diurnal principle is the same as that of mechanical ones. But weekly ones can be customized for your individual work schedule for all seven days, including weekends. Therefore, such sockets can be advised to owners of suburban dwellings and people who often go on business trips.
Electronic type sockets are programmed for 140 on-off operations. There is a so-called presence function. Through it, the lighting in your apartment will turn on spontaneously during the day. 
Most models have built-in rechargeable batteries inside. They allow the clock mechanism of the socket to work even without mains voltage. If voltage suddenly disappears at your home, the program set earlier is saved and the device works as if nothing had happened. 
After purchasing the timer, plug it in immediately. The batteries should be charged within 15 hours. Only then is the device ready for use.
A timer is a device that performs switching switching in electrical circuits at certain time intervals, predetermined by the user. In other words, the timer controls various loads according to a specific schedule, in a specified automatic mode.
The purpose of timers can be very different; they are widely used in industry and in the household sphere. The design and principles of operation make it possible to classify them as electronic or digital, as well as electromechanical and mechanical. The most widespread are electronic models, due to their accuracy and stability in operation. They have a very wide range of time adjustments and the ability to carry out a large number of on and off cycles set in the program.
Timer connection options
The connection diagram of the timer of the electronic model can be made in two main versions. It is most convenient to consider these schemes using the example of the domestic IEK timer, which is widespread in various fields. This model runs on microprocessors, has a liquid crystal display and can be programmed using buttons. The rated load current for this device is 16, which allows it to freely control most household loads.
The specified switching is performed using relays and contacts No. 3, 4, 5. The voltage for supplying the timer is supplied through separate terminals No. 1 and 2. Changeover contacts allow operations with loads not only by simple actions, but also to simultaneously close or open another electrical circuit.
Using timers in practice
The scope of the device is expanding significantly. This is especially pronounced when organizing the lighting of areas with large areas, where lighting can be carried out in turn, in small areas. That is, when some lamps are turned on, others will be automatically turned off.
It is produced in the same way in various living quarters, imitating the presence of the owners of the house. In this case, the lights are turned on in turn in different rooms at regular intervals. This scheme for connecting the timer allows you to counteract illegal entry into housing with high efficiency.
In addition, separate electrical power supply to the load and the timer allows you to connect almost any device, up to those operating under a voltage of 380 volts, while maintaining the required time intervals.
Timers are used frequently. Let's say some exhaust fans contain a timing device. After turning off, the blade does not stop, it works for a fixed time. It is assumed that over the past period, the bathroom will be cleared of steam. Let's see how to connect and set up a light control timer.
Varieties of lighting control timers
There are three types of timers by design:
- Overhead are mounted on the wall. Deprived of features, remember: electrical wiring is pulled along a combustible base only in non-combustible insulation. Take the trouble to carry out in most cases a protective pad. Fireproof box, wall plaster. For more information about the recommendations, read PUE 6, a huge table is spelled out listing the options. We explain, we started talking about open wiring for a simple reason, it is often combined with overhead switches.
- On sale you will find timers mounted in a typical socket box. Watch the diameter carefully, because the dimensions (fittings) vary. Editing can be difficult sometimes. Try to choose the timer included in the socket in place of the switch.
- There are many DIN rail timers sold today. Special guides for modern switchboards. It is not difficult to carry out the installation by snapping the case. You can feed the apartment with a timer, if there is a reasonable explanation for this. Readers are asked to see how you can use a timer to replace checkpoints, other complex types of switches that are standardly used in a complex to control one source (chandelier) from different places!
Remote timer F&F
Bell button becoming a switch
F&F AS-222T timers are on sale, they are remotely controlled by buttons. Where can I get so many buttons? - And to be beautiful. One minute! Look at the photo: call button. It differs from a single London switch only by the presence of a return spring inside, a small bell icon. Having felt the need, you can remove the marking by rearranging the button from another product of the company and series (easily done).
Can we arrange the buttons - have we got some air? - as much as you like! If there is a long corridor, we will place "calls" wherever we want. Limited by one condition: the contacts must converge to the place where the timer is set. It is allowed to use junction boxes, there are wide switching possibilities. We give the address of the manufacturer's website fif.com.pl, while we look at the timer skills!
Screenshot of the official English-language manual, provided by the F&F website. Model for DIN-line TH-35, mentioned above. The characteristics say: the block takes the place of two modules at once. Allows you to estimate in advance the capabilities of the switchboard. We see that the turn-on delay is less than a second. A lot or a little, you have to check it yourself, the delay can vary from half a minute to 600 seconds.
Features provided by the official website
It is written, half a minute before the extinction, the intensity of the light falls. Visually reminds the owner, shutdown soon ... Brilliant? Not a bad solution, let's try to find a better one. When pressed again, the light goes out. Not fundamentally, better allowing you to implement your plans. Let's say you can't put a “pass-through” switch in the bedroom, it is simply unrealistic to wait for attenuation.
Ask, what does the bedroom have to do with it? It is not difficult to supply the chandelier power in parallel. You can put a simple switch at the input, opening-closing the circuit. And if the timer, the switch will simultaneously feed the phase? It's not scary if there is one phase. The potential difference between the devices will be zero. Another thing, an exotic option, there seems to be no PUE bans (check).
Timer with calculation of solar cycles
Apel produces timers, at a given latitude, calculating the moments of sunrise and sunset in a given area. We make adjustments if necessary. Set the settings depending on the type of fixture:
- The need to turn on by days of the week.
- Adjustments to calculations.
- Current time, date.
Adjustments are required due to geographic conditions. Terrain irregularities, air content of various components. Apel timers provide the ability to make corrections of the global type and by quarter. Enough in most cases. In addition, some Apel timers are equipped with two relays. One works, guided by the principle described above, the second is configured more flexibly. Helps save light. In the early morning hours, on weekends, it is allowed to leave the load inactive.
It is clear that I don’t want to get caught in the voltage while replacing bulbs, the Apel timers are switched to the check mode for the duration of technical work. The manual writes: both relays are switched on in parallel. They tend to admit a typo, or an incredibly subtle move that allows you to remove tension from the cartridges. Judging by the timer connection diagram, zero phase is supplied. After a short circuit on the load, voltage is applied, it is impossible to change the light bulbs due to the danger of the event.
There is a fuse inside the Apel timer, if the system stops working, it is logical to start the check from here. In every performance there is. For example, timers for a DIN-line will not ring the fuse. In other cases, the leads are located between terminals 2-3. The diagram provided by the official manual shows: the load is connected in parallel with the timer. It can be considered a simple device.
However, the lighting circuit is interrupted by the timer's internal contactors. The total power consumption does not exceed 1 kW. More required, bottom drawing used, external contactors used. It is necessary to exclude sparking inside the timer, as a result, failure. Understandably, external contactors must be sized to pass the applied power. Otherwise, they will fail already. Finally, a contactor is a safe switching device.
Those interested study GOST R 50030.4.1. The text stipulates: a contactor is a device that provides a load connection not manually, in another way. The closing force is generated by an electromagnet. It is necessary to connect a timer for lighting control through external contactors in the presence of a powerful load. The total consumption can be increased up to 5 kW. In addition to electromagnetic contactors, there are many other types of contactors. Obviously, in our case, the device is controlled by electricity.
I would like to note that the use of energy-saving lamps can increase the output of the luminous flux by 10 times (an order of magnitude). Which is the more beneficial mode. To set the timer, follow the information characterizing the IP protection of the case, standards (bathrooms are described by GOST 505071.11). Please note: the DIN version is not protected. The housing of the switchboard must protect the filling from extraneous influences.
To set the timer for lighting control TO-2 by Apel, three buttons are used: switching functions, arrows for increasing-decreasing the parameter. The LCD display will allow you to place information on the screen in a very convenient way.
Timer characteristics
Frame
Readers understood: one of the most important characteristics is the performance of the case. It will determine whether it will be possible to put the timer in the switchboard or not, hang it on the wall, mount it in a socket box. In many cases, the installation method will be decisive. For example, for a private apartment, the wall option looks, to put it mildly, ugly. On the other hand, not everyone has a switchboard at home. There remains the option of a socket outlet. The type of housing design determines the IP degree of protection, which is decisive when choosing the place of installation.
Load current
The parameter shows how much the W timer can carry. Ideal for scheduled establishments. Suppose, at the right hour, the main lighting is turned off by the timer, and the auxiliary lighting remains, which requires less energy. The mind recalls the barracks, however, if you think about it, any cafe works in sync with the schedule. It is required to serve the company outside the plan - a separate changeover switch can be provided. Automation will play a positive role, measuring a fixed time before the end of the working time, turning off part of the load, signaling the approach of X-hour. It is convenient for banks (a dim light from afar will make it clear: the office is closed), offices. The load current must not be exceeded, preventing equipment failure.
Way of work
The designation is not separately marked in any way. We saw that in parallel to the automatic timers, there are models that are remotely controlled. In fact, the manufacturer's ability to predict consumer tastes will determine the degree of popularity of the product. Understandably, the design factor is unique, maintainability. In the case of Apel TO2, the entire fee is changed. The filling is formed mainly by a microcontroller, it is not possible to reprogram at home.
Operating temperature range
The parameter will instantly allow you to separate the room options from the outdoor version. If the manufacturer's requirements are ignored, the equipment will fail. The temperature spread of outdoor timers is large, the interval of indoor devices is within the range of products.
Time delay range
In controlled timers, the concept of a time delay range appears. The interval after which the device will turn off automatically. Similar mechanisms are used by bathroom exhaust fans, as mentioned when starting the review.
Timer connection
The connection of the lighting control timer is not always carried out by contactors, as one might think. Torque is closely related to the peak current of the load. Most timers are simply not powerful devices. A high-quality contactor is not included by the default housing, reducing the cost of the timer: it is clear that not every house has 5 kW of light bulbs.
Timer setting
The methods for performing the lighting control timer setting are important. We saw that a lot of algorithms were invented. Ahead are externally programmable timers, where the algorithm is loaded via the I / O port interface (COM, USB). Obviously, the second option is ideal for large companies, where there will be a need to change the lighting conditions of a large area. It is clear that running and clicking buttons is expensive, the main thing is not even that - the possibility of making mistakes increases. And what the consequences will be is determined by the specifics of the venue.
