If it plugs in, it’s right, right? Not Hardly

In a recent training session on troubleshooting relay circuits held in a fleet repair shop, I asked the foreman to bring a couple of standard replacement relays to class for discussion. After examining the two he brought in, I noticed they had the same pin-out and could easily be plugged into the same socket. So I got thinking about a common relay problem most technicians don’t understand. After I passed the relays around the class for everyone’s inspection, I asked if they would use either relay as a replacement in any vehicle circuit. Without hesitation, they all said they would, completely oblivious to the hidden danger. As long as the relay fit the socket, they’d plug it in. That’s asking for trouble.

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