1. Control relays come in electromechanical and solid state varieties and can have single or multiple poles, throws, and breaks. Electromechanical relays use contacts while solid state relays use transistors.
2. Timing relays are used to control timing functions and can be on delay, off delay, or on/off timing relays. They are activated by a coil and timing circuitry.
3. Magnetic contactors are used to control electric motors and other high power loads. They contain fixed cores with moving contacts that make and break main and auxiliary circuits based on the state of the coil. Contactors allow direct starting and control of motors.