How to (not) Open a Relay

Intro: How to (not) Open a Relay

So, I was desoldering relays and one didn't work. I wondered what the problem was. I went on google to see if there was a post or something about how to open a relay and all I got was stuff about opening mail relays which was not what I wanted. So here I am showing the world how to do it because I just figured it out.

STEP 1: Materials

You will need:
1 - Dead (or live) relay
1 - Pliers
5 to 10 - minutes of time
1 - screw driver

STEP 2: Starting It Off

Get the screwdriver (preferably the one with the cross tip) and hit it down so that you make a hole in the relay.

STEP 3: Open It

Now get the pliers, preferably needle nose, and start peeling off the plastic with the pliers.

STEP 4: All Done

It should be finished and you should be able to see the inside. Maybe if you fix it, and add a clear layer to what you removed, then you could see the inside as it switches. 5 mins later...     I finished opening it and I accidentally broke some connections on the coil so now it is pretty much useless. But, if you are careful, then you could open it without doing damage to the insides.

Comments

[killbox]

You could avoid the likelihood of damaging the wires by using a hotknife, to open it. or at least to punch your first hole.

here is a quick instructable i made for one. https://www.instructables.com/id/A-Hot-Knife-cuts-plastic-rope-opens-welded-pla/

[techno guy]

Well, I didn't really have a hot knife on me, nor did I have time to make one; but good advice, I'll keep that in mind next time.

[rimar2000]

Please change the title to "How NOT to open a relay"

[lemonie]

I like that you acknowledge breaking this, it's a good lesson that some things are not meant to be taken apart.

Did you find a fault with the relay (wasn't working before you opened it)?

L