REL2001 User Guide
Getting Started
Welcome to the 2001 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:
- REL2001 - Relay Phidget
- VINT Hub (or, any device with a digital output and available 5V supply)
- Phidget cable
- USB cable and computer
- something to use with the REL2001 (e.g. a series circuit)
Next, you will need to connect the pieces:
- Connect the REL2001 to the VINT Hub using the Phidget cable.
- Connect the VINT Hub to your computer with a USB cable.
- Connect the circuit to the the "C" and "NO" terminals
Now that you have everything together, let's start using the REL2001!
Using the REL2001
Phidget Control Panel
In order to demonstrate the functionality of the REL2001, the Phidget Control Panel running on a Windows machine will be used.
The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines.
Windows
To open the Phidget Control Panel on Windows, find the 
icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for Phidget Control Panel
macOS
To open the Phidget Control Panel on macOS, open Finder and navigate to the Phidget Control Panel in the Applications list. Double click on the icon to bring up the Phidget Control Panel.
For more information, take a look at the getting started guide for your operating system:
Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the REL2001.
First Look
After plugging the REL2001 into your computer and opening the Phidget Control Panel, you will see something like this:
The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:
- Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.
- Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.
- Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.
The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.
Digital Output
Double-click on a Digital Output object in order to run the example:
General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:
- Toggle the state of the digital output by pressing the button.
- Note: the REL2001 is not designed to be used with Duty Cycle.
Technical Details
General
A relay is an electrically-controlled switch. For more information about how mechanical relays work and how to use them, check the Mechanical Relay Primer.
Use with an Interface Kit
In addition to plugging directly into VINT ports, the REL2001 relay can be used with Interface Kits that have a Digital Output and 5V supply (like the 1018).
To connect the REL2001 to the Interface Kit, cut one end off a Phidget Cable. Connect the red and black wires to the 5V and G terminals of the Interface Kit, respectively, and the white wire to the OUTPUT terminal you want to control the relay. Plug the end that still has a connector into the REL2001.
To control the relay, open the DigitalOutput object for the channel the white wire is connected to. Setting the output state TRUE or FALSE will set the state of the relay.
What to do Next
- Programming Languages - Find your preferred programming language here and learn how to write your own code with Phidgets!
- Phidget Programming Basics - Once you have set up Phidgets to work with your programming environment, we recommend you read our page on to learn the fundamentals of programming with Phidgets.
