A latching relay, often referred to as a bistable relay, is designed to switch between two states – usually open and closed – without the need for continuous power to maintain that state. This makes them highly energy-efficient compared to traditional relays, which require power to keep their contacts in place. Latching relays operate using a magnetic field, which is created by an electrical pulse. Once the pulse is applied, the relay switches to its alternative state and remains there until another pulse is applied in the opposite direction. This unique mechanism makes latching relays ideal for applications that require stable and persistent states without wasting energy.