When it comes to switches in appliances, it's hard to think of one more ubiquitous than the relay. It can be used with and without a control board, and it allows a small voltage to control a much larger voltage. But what exactly does that mean, and how do they do that? And what about triacs, the relay's solid-state cousin?

We cover both of these devices, including how they work and how to troubleshoot them, in detail in this excerpt from one of our recent Live Dojo workshops. Give it a watch and understand these vital pieces of appliance technology better.

Topics covered include:

• Identifying relays on a schematic
• How relays physically function
• Control voltage vs. load voltage
• Relays used both with and without control boards
• Identifying triacs on a schematic
• How triacs and relays perform a similar function differentl

...and more!

Click below to watch the workshop recording -- viewable only by premium tech members.

Later in that same meeting, we moved on to a lively discussion of diodes, how they work, and how they're used in appliances. We talk about all kinds of cool stuff in these Live Dojos! Again, if you're a premium tech member, then click here to check out the discussion on diodes.

If you're an Appliantology tech member and you want to join in engaging technical discussion like this, sign up for the upcoming Live Dojo -- we host one every other Saturday. Keep an eye on the Appliantology calendar and sign up for our newsletter so you don't miss out.

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