An industrial control relay is an electrically operated switch used in industrial control systems. It is designed to handle high-power circuits while being controlled by low-power signals. These relays are commonly employed to control motors, lights, heating systems, and other machinery in various automated processes. The basic operation of a relay involves the use of an electromagnet to create a magnetic field when current flows through it. This magnetic field either opens or closes a set of contacts, thereby enabling or interrupting the flow of electricity to a connected device.