relay, in electricity, electromagnetic device for remote or automatic control of current in one (relay) circuit, using the variation in current in another (energizing) circuit. For example, in a solenoid (q.v.) the core will move when energized to open or close a switch or circuit breaker. Many relays are protective in function. Probably the earliest was the old telegraph relay, in which the energizing current moved an armature carrying a contact point to close a sounder circuit. Relays were important in early computer designs before they were replaced by the faster vacuum tubes and, later, by transistors. They are also used in railway block signalling, the energized relay being de-energized by shorting through car axles. Currently in wide use are telephone relays. The illustration shows the essentials of a typical general-purpose relay.