To understand the workings of a Latching relay, it's important to first grasp how a conventional relay operates. In a traditional relay, the switching state is maintained only as long as the power is supplied to it. Once the power is removed, the relay reverts to its default position, either open or closed, depending on the design.

    A Latching relay, however, uses a different mechanism. It features two stable states—open and closed. The relay changes states when a control signal (usually a pulse) is applied to it. The key difference is that once the relay switches, it remains in its new position even if the control signal is no longer present. This is possible due to the use of a magnetic latch system or an electromechanical mechanism that "locks" the relay in one of its two states. To change the state again, a pulse of opposite polarity or a different type of signal is required.