The contacts in a potential relay are typically in what state under normal operating conditions?

• A. Normally closed
• B. Normally open
• C. Open only during actuation
• D. Shorted when energized

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that protective relays are designed to stay in a state that lets normal operation continue, and to interrupt the circuit when a fault occurs. For a potential relay, that means the contact is normally closed. When the sensed voltage goes outside the set limits, the relay is triggered and the contacts open, breaking the circuit to protect equipment. If the contact were normally open, the circuit would not run by default and protection wouldn’t function as a fail‑safe. If it opened only during actuation, it wouldn’t provide a stable protective state once the fault is present. If it shorted when energized, that would create a dangerous condition rather than isolate the load. So, normally closed is the best fit.