What's the difference between 24v and 48v?
2 Answers
Taking lead-acid maintenance-free batteries for electric vehicles as an example, different voltages correspond to different numbers of batteries. The following are the differences between the two: 1. Voltage: The rated voltage of the former's pull-in coil is DC 48v, while the latter's is DC 24v. 2. Contact: The contacts of the former allow a current of 10A under 220v AC, the same as the latter under the same voltage, meaning the former's contact capacity is slightly larger than the latter's, at 2420VA. 3. Practical selection: Consider whether the contact capacity matches the actual needs and whether the control voltage matches the rated value of the relay's pull-in coil. If a 24v current is used to control a relay with a 48v pull-in coil, issues such as failure to pull in or insecure pull-in may occur.
When it comes to the difference between 24-volt and 48-volt systems, I've spent many years in the automotive industry and have seen all kinds of electrical issues. The 24-volt system is mainly used in trucks or large vehicles because the higher voltage can power strong motors and headlight systems without overheating easily. The 48-volt system has now become the new favorite for many passenger cars, especially those with automatic start-stop functions. Its voltage is doubled, making energy transmission more efficient, reducing wire losses, and enabling faster charging for electronic devices, supporting hybrid systems. The difference is quite significant—24-volt systems are simpler and cheaper to repair, while 48-volt systems are more complex but noticeably more fuel-efficient. Modern vehicles are shifting toward 48-volt systems because they can recover and store braking energy, which is then used for acceleration, resulting in smoother overall performance. I recommend checking voltage compatibility first when repairing vehicles.
