Temporizator

Temporizator is a device or circuit that measures and controls time delays. In electronics and automation, a temporizator can produce a timed output after a user-set interval or sustain an output for a defined duration. The term is used in several languages to refer to timers used in electrical and electronic systems.

Two main categories exist: delay timers, which postpone the activation of an output, and interval or one-shot timers, which generate a fixed-duration pulse. Mechanisms include mechanical (spring-wound) timers, electro-mechanical relays with delays, and electronic timers based on RC networks, counters, or microcontrollers. Some timers provide adjustable delay only, others provide both delay and duration control. Timers can be triggered by electrical signals, mechanical action, or manual input.

Applications range from household appliances such as ovens, washing machines, and coffee makers to photography and film equipment for exposure timing, automotive and industrial process controls, stage lighting, and laboratory experiments requiring timed sequences. Timers are used to automate operations, ensure safety interlocks, or sequence events in a controlled manner.

History and terminology vary by region. The concept originated with mechanical timing devices and evolved into electro-mechanical relays and digital timers. In English documents, the term timer or timing relay is common, while temporizator appears in several languages and technical contexts. Modern timers often include high precision electronic timing, real-time clocks, and networked or programmable capabilities, reducing drift and increasing flexibility compared with early mechanical variants.