Electric Timer Pakistan: AH2N AH3 Delay Relay
Electric Timer Pakistan — AH2N, AH3 Time Delay Relay Wiring & Selection Guide
Updated: May 2026 · CNC Electric Pakistan
Electric Timer — Pakistan Quick Answer (2026)
An electric timer / time delay relay sits on a DIN rail and switches a load on or off after a programmed delay. Used everywhere a contactor or solenoid needs delayed actuation — star-delta starter, generator cooldown, lift door close, lighting control, pump cycling. CNC range in Pakistan 2026: AH2N analog dial timer 0.1 s-60 min from Rs.1,200; AH3 multi-range analog with dial Rs.1,600; digital LCD multi-function timer Rs.2,800; cyclic timer (on/off repeat) Rs.2,200; weekly schedule programmable timer Rs.4,500.
Browse: CNC Timer Relays → · WhatsApp 0326-1111376
Timer Function Types — Understanding What They Do
ON-Delay (most common)
Power applied → timer starts counting → after the set delay, output relay closes. Example: press START → timer counts 5 seconds → contactor energises → motor runs. Used for: motor warm-up sequences, star-delta starting, lift door close after passenger entry.
OFF-Delay
Trigger removed → timer starts counting → after delay, output relay opens. Example: stop signal received → timer counts 3 minutes → generator cooldown completes → genset shuts off. Used for: cooldown sequences, room light auto-off after motion, fan run-on after cooking.
Interval Timer
Trigger → output relay closes immediately → after set time, opens again. Used for: door release pulses, alarm sirens, single-shot dosing pumps.
Cyclic (On/Off Repeat)
Continuously cycles: ON for T1, OFF for T2, repeat. Used for: intermittent pump cycling, periodic flushing, fault indicator flashing.
Star-Delta Timer
Specialised dual-output timer for motor star-delta starters. T1 output energises star contactor; after T1 elapses (motor at speed), T1 opens, brief gap (~50 ms transition), T2 energises delta contactor. Standard for any 15+ HP industrial motor in Pakistan.
CNC AH2N Series — Standard Pakistani Workshop Timer
The AH2N is the analog dial timer found in nearly every Pakistani control panel. 2-module DIN-rail mount, multi-function via DIP switch, 220 V supply, 5 A relay output (drives a contactor coil directly).
Selectable function via DIP switches
- ON-delay (function A)
- OFF-delay (function B)
- Interval (function C)
- Cyclic ON-first (function D)
- Cyclic OFF-first (function E)
Selectable time range
- 0.1 - 1 second (for very fast sequences)
- 1 - 10 seconds (motor startup delays)
- 10 - 60 seconds (generator warm-up)
- 1 - 10 minutes (cooldown, lighting)
- 10 - 60 minutes (extended cycles)
Total range with all settings: 0.1 s to 60 min. CNC AH2N price: Rs.1,200.
Common Pakistani Timer Applications
Star-Delta Motor Starter (15+ HP)
AH2N ON-delay set to 8-10 seconds. Press START → star contactor energises → motor accelerates in star configuration → at 8-10 seconds the timer's output drops the star and energises delta → motor reaches full speed. See 3-phase contactor wiring guide.
Generator Cooldown Timer
AH2N OFF-delay set to 3-5 minutes. WAPDA returns → ATS transfers back → ATS opens its GEN START contact → timer starts counting → after 3-5 minutes the contactor controlling generator fuel cuts → genset stops. Extends genset life significantly.
Stairwell Lighting
AH2N OFF-delay set to 2-3 minutes. Press the timer button on the wall → light turns on → after 2-3 minutes turns off automatically. Standard apartment building install in Karachi / Lahore.
Borewell Pump Cycle
Cyclic timer ON 30 min / OFF 30 min. Pump runs 30 minutes, rests 30 minutes — water table recharges between cycles, preventing pump from running dry. Common for shallow wells with low recharge rate.
Sign Lighting Schedule
Weekly programmable timer: ON at sunset (18:00 winter, 19:00 summer), OFF at midnight or closing time. Saves 30-50% on signage electricity. Standard for Pakistani shop facade lighting.
Wiring an AH2N Timer (Standard 220 V Application)
For ON-delay function
- 220 V Live → AH2N terminal "2" (supply +)
- 220 V Neutral → AH2N terminal "10" (supply -)
- Trigger input (e.g. START push button output) → terminal "1" or "B"
- Relay output NO contact (terminals 8 + 5) → wired in series with the contactor coil
- Set DIP switches for ON-delay function, then rotate the dial to your desired time
For star-delta application
Use the dedicated star-delta timer (separate part number) or wire two AH2Ns:
- Timer 1 ON-delay 8 sec — drives the star contactor coil
- Timer 2 ON-delay 8.2 sec (200 ms later) — drives the delta contactor coil (with NC contact from Timer 1 breaking star)
For simplicity, buy the dedicated star-delta timer (CNC AH3D) which handles both outputs from one device.
Common Wiring Mistakes
- Wrong supply voltage. AH2N is typically 220 V AC; 24 V DC versions exist with different model code. Wiring 24 V to a 220 V timer = no operation; wiring 220 V to a 24 V timer = burns out instantly.
- Output contact rated for control current, not motor current. The relay output drives the contactor coil (1-2 A). Wiring the motor directly through the timer relay welds the contacts immediately.
- Forgetting to set the function DIP switches. Default ON-delay may not be what you need. Verify each DIP switch matches the intended function.
- Setting time outside the selected range. If DIP set to 0.1-1 sec range, dial at "60" = 60% of 1 sec = 0.6 sec, not 60 seconds. Match dial setting to the active range.
- Trigger pulse too short for ON-delay. Some timers need the trigger held for at least 100 ms to register. A momentary push button works fine; a 1 ms PLC pulse might not.
- No fuse on the control supply. A fault inside the timer can short the 220 V control supply. Use a small 1 A control fuse upstream.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of an electric timer in Pakistan?
CNC timers Pakistan 2026: AH2N analog dial multi-function from Rs.1,200; AH3 multi-range Rs.1,600; digital LCD multi-function Rs.2,800; cyclic timer Rs.2,200; weekly schedule programmable Rs.4,500; dedicated star-delta timer Rs.2,500.
What is the AH2N timer?
A standard DIN-rail multi-function analog dial timer used in Pakistani control panels. Selectable ON-delay, OFF-delay, interval, or cyclic via DIP switches; selectable time range 0.1 s to 60 min via additional DIPs and dial setting. 220 V AC supply, 5 A relay output. Drives a contactor coil directly.
How do I wire a timer to control a contactor?
220 V Live and Neutral → timer supply terminals. Trigger input → timer input terminal. Timer relay output (NO) → contactor coil A1. Contactor coil A2 → 220 V Neutral. Set function DIPs for ON-delay (or as needed) and rotate dial for desired time.
Which timer for a star-delta motor starter?
Use a dedicated star-delta timer (CNC AH3D) which has two relay outputs with built-in transition logic. Sets star time (typically 8-10 sec). When time expires, star output opens, brief transition gap (~200 ms), then delta output closes. Simpler than wiring two general timers.
What is the difference between ON-delay and OFF-delay?
ON-delay: trigger applied → wait → output closes. Example: motor START button → wait 5 sec → motor runs. OFF-delay: trigger removed → wait → output opens. Example: lights turned on → after 2 min (or motion stops) → lights turn off.
Can I use a timer with a generator?
Yes — typical Pakistani use case. An OFF-delay timer extends generator runtime after WAPDA returns, allowing safe cooldown before the genset stops. Standard setting: 3-5 minutes cooldown.
How accurate is an analog dial timer?
Quality analog timers (CNC AH2N) are typically ±5% accurate. So a "10 minute" setting could deliver anywhere from 9.5 to 10.5 minutes. Acceptable for most industrial applications. For precision (lab, medical, broadcast) use a digital timer with ±0.5% accuracy.
Right timer for your sequence
Tell us the application (motor start, lights, pump cycle, gen cooldown) and time range — we’ll spec the right AH2N variant or specialised timer.