Panasonic's new CW relay is designed specifically for electrically powered steering (EPS) systems. If, for any reason, the steering system malfunctions, the relay disconnects the EPS motor, reverting to manual steering and making the system safe. For EPS, a Y circuit is generally used to connect a 3-phase asynchronous motor.
One approach to stop the motor is for a relay to open the circuit by disconnecting all three phases at once. However, the CW relay disconnects only two phases. This also stops the motor, but it offers certain advantages. Significantly, the relay can be mounted away from motor where the ambient temperature is lower, thus extending its life.
Able to disconnect 200A, the CW relay can even be used in EPS applications for heavy cars and SUVs where steering forces are high. Currently the CW relay has terminals for welding assembly, but a version for PCB mounting will be available soon.