Which type of relay maintains their control circuits and status even if the control power is dropped?

Maintained relays are designed to hold their state even when the control power is removed. This characteristic is particularly useful in applications where it’s necessary to preserve the last commanded state of the relay, such as in control circuits for lighting or motor control systems.

When the control power is removed, a maintained relay retains its position—either "on" or "off"—until it is explicitly reset by another action, such as a manual switch or another relay. This feature ensures that the system can revert to its last active configuration without needing to re-engage power, which enhances operational efficiency and reliability.

In contrast, other types of relays, such as solid-state and mechanical timers or on-delay relays, do not retain their status without power. Their primary function is to control timing and delays rather than hold a state once power is lost. This key function of maintained relays makes them ideal for applications requiring consistent operation under fluctuating power conditions.