# Question about relay

**URL:** <https://www.gbgconnect.com/t/question-about-relay/495>\
**Category:** Wiring\
**Created:** [October 12, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://www.gbgconnect.com/t/question-about-relay/495 "2019-10-12T20:17:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![anc1985](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@anc1985](https://www.gbgconnect.com/u/anc1985)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2019, 8:17pm UTC](https://www.gbgconnect.com/t/question-about-relay/495/1 "2019-10-12T20:17:11Z")

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Hello, non-electrical person here! I have read through many manuals. I’m wondering, does a trailer connector serve the same purpose as a relay? Are these interchangeable?  
Thank you!

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**Author:** ![Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@Doug](https://www.gbgconnect.com/u/Doug)\
**Post date:** [October 14, 2019, 12:39am UTC](https://www.gbgconnect.com/t/question-about-relay/495/2 "2019-10-14T00:39:55Z")

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Hi,  
Actually they are very different and have different uses. The relay lets a small electrical current control a larger current. A trailer connector temporarily connects two electrical circuits that do not need to be permanently connected. When modifying cars, we use a relay to allow a switch (like a Big Red Button that cannot handle too much current) to turn on the car’s motor (which takes a lot more current). We sometimes use a trailer connector to temporarily connect a battery charger to the car if it doesn’t come with a convenient charging jack.  
Hope this is helpful!  
– Doug