Which statement correctly describes normally open contacts?

Which statement correctly describes normally open contacts?

• A. They open when the coil is energized
• B. They remain closed when the coil is energized
• C. They close when the coil is energized
• D. They open when the coil is de-energized

Answer: (C)

Normally open contacts stay open until the coil is energized. When you apply power to the coil, a magnetic field pulls the contact into a closed position, completing the circuit. Once the coil is de-energized, a spring returns the contact to the open state. That behavior—closing when the coil is energized—is exactly what defines normally open contacts. The other descriptions describe different behaviors: remaining closed when energized would be a normally closed situation, and opening when energized is the opposite of how a normally open contact behaves.

Normally open contacts stay open until the coil is energized. When you apply power to the coil, a magnetic field pulls the contact into a closed position, completing the circuit. Once the coil is de-energized, a spring returns the contact to the open state. That behavior—closing when the coil is energized—is exactly what defines normally open contacts. The other descriptions describe different behaviors: remaining closed when energized would be a normally closed situation, and opening when energized is the opposite of how a normally open contact behaves.