In a ladder diagram, which option illustrates the operation of a recycle relay?

In a ladder diagram, the operation of a recycle relay is typically represented by a specific arrangement of contacts and coils that allow the relay to maintain its state after an initial activation, enabling it to cycle through an on and off sequence as needed.

The correct choice illustrates this by showing a configuration where the relay is activated by a condition that remains true, thus creating a self-latching or maintenance path. This allows a signal to keep the relay energized even if the original trigger is removed. The design effectively maintains the critical connections that sustain the operation of the relay until a separate condition leads to its deactivation.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the characteristics needed for proper recycle relay function. They might display standard relay behaviors, but they lack the self-latching mechanism that defines a recycle relay's operation, making it clear why they do not fulfill the requirements of the question.