Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 – 7S Series Relay modules with forcibly guided contacts

Why Choose the Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 Safety Relay Module?

The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 is a professional 12 V DC safety relay module with Class A forcibly guided contacts, designed for industrial machinery, automation systems and safety-related electrical control applications. Part of the Finder Series 7S, this DIN rail-mounted relay features a 4 normally open (NO) + 2 normally closed (NC) contact configuration, providing six mechanically linked contacts for controlled switching and feedback monitoring.

With a 6 A rated contact current, 250 V AC nominal switching voltage and 12 V DC operating coil, the Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 is suitable for applications requiring multiple switching contacts and reliable contact monitoring. Its forcibly guided contact construction helps suitable external monitoring circuits detect certain faults, including welded contacts.

The module features conventional screw terminals, gold-plated silver tin oxide contacts, an illuminated coil status indicator and a compact 22.5 mm-wide DIN rail housing. The six-contact arrangement makes it particularly useful in machinery safety interfaces, monitored switching circuits and safety relay expansion applications.

Designed for industrial operating conditions, the relay offers an ambient temperature range of −40 to +70 °C, an IP20 protection rating and specified coil switching characteristics that support predictable operation within appropriately engineered control systems.

Key Advantages

• Class A forcibly guided contacts: Support detection of certain relay contact faults within appropriately designed monitoring circuits.
• 4 NO + 2 NC configuration: Provides four normally open switching contacts and two normally closed contacts for feedback or additional control functions.
• 12 V DC coil: Suitable for compatible low-voltage industrial control supplies.
• 6 A rated contact current: Supports a range of appropriately rated industrial control loads.
• 250 V AC nominal switching voltage: Enables use in suitable AC control circuits.
• Six mechanically linked contacts: Provide flexible switching and monitoring options within one relay module.
• Gold-plated silver tin oxide contacts: Offer robust contact construction for industrial relay applications.
• Conventional screw terminals: Provide a familiar connection method for industrial panel wiring.
• Integrated illuminated indicator: Allows quick visual identification of coil energisation.
• Compact 22.5 mm housing: Helps conserve valuable DIN rail space.
• 35 mm DIN rail mounting: Simplifies installation in standard electrical control cabinets.
• Defined switching times: Approximately 12 ms operate time and 10 ms release time.
• Wide temperature range: Designed for operation from −40 to +70 °C.
• Safety-related system compatibility: Suitable for integration into properly assessed and validated control systems.

Key Features

• Finder Series 7S modular relay with forcibly guided contacts.
• Type 7S.36 with conventional screw terminals.
• Class A forcibly guided contact technology.
• 4 normally open and 2 normally closed contacts.
• Six-contact, 6PST relay configuration.
• 12 V DC nominal coil voltage.
• 9.6 V DC specified must-operate voltage.
• 1.2 V DC specified must-release voltage.
• Approximately 64.7 mA rated coil current.
• Approximately 0.8 W coil power consumption.
• Approximately 185.5 Ω coil resistance.
• 6 A rated contact current.
• 250 V AC nominal switching voltage.
• Silver tin oxide (AgSnO) contacts with gold (Au) plating.
• Approximately 12 ms operate time.
• Approximately 10 ms release time.
• Integrated illuminated coil status indicator.
• Screw terminal electrical connections.
• 35 mm DIN rail mounting.
• 22.5 mm nominal housing width.
• IP20 ingress protection rating.
• −40 to +70 °C operating temperature range.
• RoHS-compliant construction.

Technical note: The coil power figure of 0.8 W is taken from the exact-part DigiKey listing. Some other distributor catalogues round the coil power to 1 W. Use the current Finder manufacturer datasheet for final design calculations and component approval.

Class A Forcibly Guided Contacts for Monitored Safety Circuits

The defining feature of the Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 is its Class A forcibly guided contact construction. Unlike conventional relays, its normally open and normally closed contacts are mechanically linked so that they cannot simultaneously assume their closed positions under specified contact fault conditions.

This mechanical relationship supports fault detection in appropriately designed safety-related control circuits. For example, if a normally open contact becomes welded closed, the forcibly guided normally closed contacts cannot return to their normal closed positions.

A suitable safety controller or external monitoring circuit can detect this discrepancy and respond according to the required safety function.

The relay's 4 NO + 2 NC configuration provides four normally open contacts for appropriately rated switching functions and two normally closed contacts that may be used for feedback monitoring.

This makes the Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 useful in applications where several controlled switching paths must be operated together while the state of the relay is monitored.

Important: A forcibly guided relay is not a complete safety controller. The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 must be integrated into a suitable system architecture with the monitoring, diagnostics and protective measures required by the application.

12 V DC Coil Operation for Industrial Automation

The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 operates from a 12 V DC nominal coil supply, making it suitable for industrial control systems using this low-voltage DC supply.

Its specified must-operate voltage is 9.6 V DC, while the must-release voltage is 1.2 V DC. These values describe relay switching thresholds and should not be interpreted as the complete permissible continuous operating voltage range.

At nominal voltage, the relay has a rated coil current of approximately 64.7 mA, a coil power consumption of approximately 0.8 W and a resistance of approximately 185.5 Ω.

These electrical characteristics should be considered when selecting the power supply, PLC output or other controlling device. The control circuit must provide a suitable coil supply and account for voltage tolerances, switching conditions and any external protective components.

The relay has a specified 12 ms operate time and 10 ms release time, providing defined switching characteristics for industrial control applications.

These timing values describe the relay itself and do not represent the complete response time or stopping time of a machinery safety system.

Versatile Six-Contact Switching with 4 NO + 2 NC Configuration

The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 features six mechanically linked contacts arranged as four normally open contacts and two normally closed contacts.

The four normally open contacts can be used for appropriately rated switching functions, while the two normally closed contacts may provide feedback to a compatible monitoring circuit.

This arrangement is particularly useful in industrial machinery and automation applications requiring multiple controlled outputs alongside relay status monitoring.

Each contact has a 6 A rated current, and the relay has a 250 V AC nominal switching voltage. The actual permissible switching load depends on the circuit type, contact utilisation category and operating conditions.

The contacts use silver tin oxide (AgSnO) with gold (Au) plating, providing robust contact construction for industrial switching applications.

When switching inductive loads, loads with high inrush current or circuits operating at high switching frequencies, the manufacturer's load-specific ratings and electrical endurance information should be consulted.

Design consideration: The four normally open contacts are part of one relay mechanism. They should not be treated as four independent redundant safety channels without a suitable system-level safety assessment.

Screw Terminal Connections for Industrial Electrical Panels

The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 uses conventional screw terminals, providing a familiar wiring method for industrial electrical control panels and automation cabinets.

This distinguishes the Finder 7S.36 family from the closely related 7S.16 family, which uses screwless terminals.

The screw terminal version is suitable for installations where conventional screw connections are preferred or specified. Conductors must be prepared and secured in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions, including the applicable conductor sizes and tightening torque.

The module is designed for mounting on a standard 35 mm DIN rail and has a compact 22.5 mm nominal width, helping conserve space inside electrical enclosures.

An integrated illuminated coil status indicator provides visual confirmation when the relay coil is energised, supporting commissioning and maintenance.

The indicator confirms coil energisation but does not independently verify the condition of every relay contact or the safety state of connected machinery.

Industrial Durability and Operating Conditions

The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 is designed for use in industrial electrical control environments where dependable relay switching and contact monitoring are required.

Its specified ambient operating temperature range of −40 to +70 °C supports installation in a wide variety of industrial applications, subject to the manufacturer's mounting and environmental requirements.

The relay has an IP20 ingress protection rating and should be installed within a suitable electrical enclosure that provides the environmental and electrical protection required by the application.

Actual contact service life depends on electrical loading, switching frequency, ambient conditions and correct installation. For demanding applications, the manufacturer's electrical endurance curves and utilisation category ratings should be reviewed.

Functional Safety and Machinery Control Considerations

The Finder Series 7S range is designed for applications requiring forcibly guided contacts and monitored relay switching.

Technical information for the 7S.36 family identifies applications associated with SIL 2 according to IEC 61508 and PL d according to EN ISO 13849-1, subject to the complete system design and applicable manufacturer documentation.

The Finder 7S.36.9.012.5420 can be incorporated into machinery safety interfaces, monitored control circuits and relay expansion applications where its electrical and functional characteristics are suitable.

The overall safety performance depends on the complete circuit architecture, diagnostic coverage, component reliability, fault detection arrangements and response to detected failures.

For emergency-stop systems, guard interlocks and other protective functions, the relay must be used with the appropriate safety control and monitoring equipment.

Important: The relay alone does not establish a particular Safety Integrity Level, Performance Level or safety category for an installation. The complete safety function must be assessed and validated by a competent professional.

Typical Applications

• Industrial machinery safety-related control circuits.
• Safety relay expansion and interface applications.
• Machine guard monitoring and interlock systems.
• Emergency-stop switching circuits within validated safety architectures.
• Industrial automation and PLC control cabinets.
• Monitored switching circuits requiring four normally open contacts.
• Safety feedback circuits using forcibly guided contacts.
• Manufacturing and production machinery.
• Packaging and processing equipment.
• Conveyor and material handling systems.
• Industrial process control installations.
• 12 V DC industrial control systems.
• Electrical panels requiring screw terminal connections.
• DIN rail-mounted safety-related control assemblies.
• Applications requiring 4 NO + 2 NC forcibly guided contacts.