Functional Devices, Inc. manufactures custom-engineered and white-label power relays for building automation OEMs. Companies who need relays with particular specifications, but who want to avoid the complexities and costs associated with testing and building them, can partner with us instead. Functional Devices has customized components for OEMs since 1969. Just like our RIB® (Relay-In-a-Box®) product line, every relay we produce is ISO-certified and tested before shipment.
What Are “White-Label” and “Custom-Engineered” Relays?
White-label means the relay is made by Functional Devices and carries the OEM’s branding; custom-engineered means that the relay is built to the OEM’s specifications rather than pulled from a catalog. Each of the following can be specified:
Voltage and electrical characteristics. Coil voltage, contact rating, and duty are matched to suit the OEM’s needs.
Form factor. The relay is built to fit an enclosure the OEM already uses, so the surrounding product does not have to be redesigned around a catalog housing.
Mounting. The mounting style is matched to the OEM’s panel and system layout.
Branding and labeling. The OEM’s name and part numbering go on the device.
The result is a relay that reads as part of the OEM’s product line, rather than one that feels like a third-party part.
When Building Power Relays In-House Stops Making Sense
Building power relays in-house has a cost, both in terms of time and capital. If an OEM’s focus is not generally on relays, any engineering time spent building one is time not spent working on the OEM’s core product(s). Manufacturing a relay line also comes with tooling, test-equipment, and UL-certification requirements. As the product line expands, overhead expands with it.
Buying a standard part avoids this overhead, but it can introduce other complications. Limitations like housing, coil voltage, and mounting pattern can significantly affect the product being built around the relay, and can introduce additional engineering issues.
White labeling and custom manufacturing are essentially the best of both worlds. You set the specifications and the branding, we deal with any necessary tooling, testing, and certification, and you can return to working on your own core products.
Compliance and Consistency for OEM Relays
Functional Devices builds relays that align with UL and agency requirements, so the component carries its own approvals and the OEM’s product certification does not have to re-derive them (confirm the specific approvals for a given build during the design conversation).
Additionally, every unit is tested before it ships, and the production process is ISO-certified. Functional Devices reports a field failure rate of less than 1 in 16,000.
Custom Relays Built on the RIB® Platform
This custom and white-label work builds on the same high-level manufacturing work that Functional Devices has done since 1969. An OEM specifying a custom relay is tuning a proven design to its particular needs rather than commissioning one from scratch, which keeps a custom part from carrying reliability risk. The same OEM manufacturing extends to other Functional Devices building automation lines, including lighting controls.
Frequently Asked Questions About White-Label Power Relays
What is the difference between white-label and custom-engineered relays?
White-label refers to branding: a relay manufactured by Functional Devices that carries the OEM’s name and part number. Custom-engineered refers to specification: a relay whose voltage, contacts, form factor, and mounting are built to the OEM’s requirements. Most OEM programs combine the two.
What can be customized on a power relay?
Coil voltage, contact rating and duty, form factor to fit an existing enclosure, mounting style, and OEM branding and labeling. The specification is set to the OEM’s product rather than to a standard SKU.
Does a custom relay still meet UL requirements?
Functional Devices builds custom relays to UL and agency requirements, so the component carries its own approvals.
When should an OEM outsource relay manufacturing instead of building in-house?
When the tooling, test-equipment, and certification costs outweigh the value of producing the relay line, or when engineering time is better spent on the core product than on keeping a commodity component in production.
Ready to Specify a Custom or White-Label Relay?
To specify white-label or custom-engineered power relays for a building automation product, contact Functional Devices to begin discussing voltage, form factor, mounting, and labeling for your build.