Power
The rated power of the relay in kilovolt-amperes, in other words, the maximum apparent load power with which the device can normally operate.
From a physical point of view, kilovolt-amperes and kilowatts mean the same thing, but in kW it is customary to indicate only the active power of the load (see below), and in kVA — full. In AC networks, these powers can vary because active power (the power consumed by resistive-type devices such as heaters) is added to reactive power (the power consumed by capacitors and inductors). The apparent power is calculated from these two quantities.
When selecting control relays for AC networks, it is best to take into account the full power, especially if you plan to connect equipment with electric motors to the device. However, for many modern household appliances, only active power is given in the characteristics — in kilowatts. There are calculation methods that allow converting active power into total power, depending on the type and characteristics of the load; such techniques can be found in special sources.
Maximum current
Maximum switching current allowed for the control relay. This is the maximum current that the device can safely pass through itself. And for models with current relay functions (see "Device"), this is also the default threshold of instantaneous operation — the current at which the relay instantly turns off the power to the load. In many models, you can set a lower threshold, but not a higher one.
Voltage measuring range
Voltage measurement range supported by the device.
Many modern control relays are equipped with digital displays, which can display, including current voltage; this parameter specifies the operating range of the built-in voltmeter. In this case, the voltage measurement range can be noticeably wider than the difference between the smallest minimum and the largest maximum shutdown threshold (see below). This allows you to use the relay also for online diagnostics of the network status.
For a current relay (see "Device") in this case, the range of operating voltages can be given directly — the voltage at which the device can normally perform its functions.
Off time (upper limit)
The device shutdown time on the upper limit of voltage or current. This is a kind of "reaction time" of the relay: the period of time between reaching the upper limit and turning off the protected network segment.
The lower this value, the more advanced the protection will be, the lower the probability of failure of sensitive devices due to untimely operation of the relay. Note that a short reaction time in this case is especially important, because too high a voltage or current is a serious danger to any device.
Current trip limit
The upper current shutdown limit provided in the device is the threshold above which the relay switches off the protected network segment. Many models allow you to adjust this limit; for them, the range of such adjustment is indicated in the characteristics. Note that for the upper limit of this range, some manufacturers take not the maximum, but the rated current of the device; see above for details on these options.
