Timing Relay Price List: ABB and Schneider Compared
What determines the price of a timing relay, and how do ABB's CT-D range and Schneider Electric's Zelio Time range compare? Price tracks four measurable factors — function count, timing-range coverage, contact configuration and mounting format — not the logo on the housing, and a multifunction multi-range unit with two change-over contacts costs more than a fixed-function single-range device because it replaces three or four separate part numbers on the shelf. This guide walks procurement engineers and panel builders through those cost drivers for ABB CT-D and Schneider Zelio Time, covers plug-in versus DIN-rail premiums, star-delta two-output pricing, and where total installed cost beats sticker price.
What Moves the Price on a Timing Relay Line Card
Four line items set where a timing relay sits on a price list. Function count comes first: a single-function on-delay unit is a simpler circuit than a device offering ten selectable functions across multiple ranges, and the bill of materials reflects it. Timing-range coverage is second — a relay that only does 1-10 s costs less to build than one spanning 0.1 s to 100 h across several decades, because the oscillator and reference components need to hold accuracy across a wider band. Contact configuration is third: one change-over contact is cheaper than two, and a higher current rating on that contact adds cost. Mounting format is fourth, covered in its own section below. None of this is brand-specific — both the timing relay engineering guide and the datasheets from ABB and Schneider price against the same four levers.
ABB CT-D Range: Price Tiers by Function
ABB's CT-D family splits cleanly by function, and the price tiers follow. CT-ERD (on-delay only) and CT-AHD (off-delay, including true off-delay with capacitor hold-up) sit at the entry tier — fixed function, narrower range selection, one change-over contact. CT-MFD, the multifunction member, sits a tier above because it folds on-delay, off-delay, interval, and flasher functions into one 17.5 mm housing with a wider multi-voltage supply band. CT-VWD, CT-YDD and CT-SDD, the star-delta and two-output variants, sit at the top of the range: two independent timing stages (run-up and transition) on one device cost more than either function alone. The types-of-timing-relays breakdown covers the function differences in more depth if you're pricing against a spec sheet rather than a part number.
What we see in the field: panel builders standardizing on CT-MFD across several machine types pay more per unit but carry one spare instead of four, and that shows up in total stockroom cost, not on the per-relay invoice.
Schneider Zelio Time: Price Tiers Across RE17, RE22 and REXL
Schneider's Zelio Time line follows the same logic under different names. RE17 is the compact, single-function or limited-function 17.5 mm modular timer — the entry tier, comparable in scope to ABB CT-ERD/CT-AHD. RE22 steps up to multifunction, multi-range in a 22.5 mm housing with rotary function and range select, the direct counterpart to CT-MFD; the extra 5 mm of module width and the added selector switches carry a cost premium over RE17. RE22R adds the second output stage for star-delta and other two-output functions, placing it at the same top tier as ABB's CT-VWD/CT-YDD/CT-SDD group. REXL breaks from the DIN-rail pattern entirely — it's a plug-in, socket-mounted timer, and that format changes the pricing math on its own, covered next. Anyone selecting between these should start from how to select a timing relay rather than a price column, then price the shortlist.
Plug-In vs DIN-Rail: The Format Premium
A DIN-rail timer clips onto the rail and wires directly into the panel. A plug-in timer (REXL from Schneider, and equivalent socket-based offerings) needs a separate 8-pin or 11-pin socket purchased alongside it — two line items instead of one. The relay itself is often priced close to its DIN-rail equivalent; the socket adds ten to twenty percent to the installed cost of that position. The payoff is service time, not purchase price: swapping a failed plug-in timer takes seconds and doesn't touch panel wiring, where a DIN-rail unit means disconnecting terminals under a live or de-energized panel depending on lockout procedure. For a machine that runs continuously and can't tolerate an extended changeover, that time saving usually outweighs the socket cost. For a fixed installation rarely serviced after commissioning, DIN-rail is the cheaper long-run choice.
Star-Delta and Multifunction: Where the Price Jumps
Two-output star-delta timers cost more than single-output relays for a reason that isn't just "two functions instead of one." The transition (dead-time) setting between opening the star contactor and closing delta is safety-critical — set it too short and both contactors overlap, bridging line-to-line. That means the transition stage needs tighter repeat accuracy than a general-purpose delay, and tighter accuracy costs more to manufacture and calibrate. This is the same accuracy-to-price link that applies across the whole timing relay category, not just star-delta units.
Formula: Repeat Accuracy Error — Source: IEC 61812, repeat accuracy definition
Er = ± (a% × tset)
| Symbol | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Er | Repeat accuracy error — maximum deviation between repeated timing cycles at a fixed setting | s |
| a | Repeat accuracy class stated on the datasheet, commonly in the ±0.5% to ±1% of set value range | % |
| tset | Timer setting selected on the dial or DIP + potentiometer | s |
A star-delta timer feeding a motor with a long run-up needs a tight transition tolerance even though the run-up stage itself can tolerate looser accuracy — the manufacturer prices the whole device to the tighter of the two requirements. This is worth checking against star-delta timing relays for motor starting before assuming the cheapest two-output part meets the transition tolerance a given motor and contactor pairing actually needs.
Reading a Price List: Unit Price vs Total Installed Cost
A price list column shows one number. Total installed cost adds the socket (for plug-in formats), the panel space it occupies, the spare-parts SKU count it adds to inventory, and the labor to set and verify the timing function during commissioning. A single multifunction unit at a higher unit price can still win on total cost if it replaces three fixed-function part numbers that would otherwise each need their own spare stocked.
| Criteria | ABB CT-D | Schneider Zelio Time |
|---|---|---|
| Entry tier (single-function) | CT-ERD, CT-AHD | RE17 |
| Multifunction / multi-range tier | CT-MFD | RE22 |
| Star-delta / two-output tier | CT-VWD, CT-YDD, CT-SDD | RE22R |
| Plug-in / socket format | Available in the CT-D family | REXL |
| Module width | 17.5 mm across the DIN-rail range | 17.5 mm (RE17) / 22.5 mm (RE22) |
| Supply voltage | Multi-voltage variants across most functions | Multi-voltage variants across most functions |
| Governing standards | IEC 61812, IEC 60947-5-1 | IEC 61812, IEC 60947-5-1 |
Read line by line rather than brand by brand. Matching an RE22 quote against a CT-ERD quote compares a multifunction device to a single-function one — the RE22 will look expensive and the comparison tells you nothing about who prices multifunction devices more competitively.
Sourcing ABB and Schneider Timing Relays
Some panel builders still keep a drawer of pneumatic and motor-driven timers from older stock, but new designs run on electronic CT-D and Zelio Time parts almost exclusively — the accuracy and multi-voltage flexibility justify the switch even on cost-sensitive builds. Stoklink stocks both ranges alongside the broader timing and control relays collection and pairs them with soft starters for motor-starting projects that need an alternative to star-delta switching. Pricing and lead time vary by function tier and quantity — confirm both against the specific part number before locking a panel BOM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABB or Schneider cheaper for timing relays?
Neither brand is cheaper across the board. Price depends on function tier: an ABB CT-ERD single-function unit compares to a Schneider RE17, and a CT-MFD compares to an RE22. Compare at matching function and range coverage, not brand name.
Why do multifunction timing relays cost more than single-function models?
A multifunction unit like CT-MFD or RE22 packs several timing functions and ranges behind one rotary selector, which adds components and calibration steps versus a fixed-function device. It usually still costs less than stocking three or four separate single-function parts.
Are plug-in timing relays more expensive than DIN-rail types?
The relay itself is often close in price to its DIN-rail equivalent, but a plug-in format like REXL needs a separate socket, adding roughly ten to twenty percent to the installed cost of that position. The trade-off is faster field replacement.
Does a higher accuracy class always cost more?
Generally yes. A repeat accuracy class of ±0.5% of set value requires tighter component tolerances and calibration than ±1%, and that shows up in the unit price, particularly on star-delta transition stages where the tolerance is safety-critical.
What's the real cost difference between a star-delta timer and two separate relays?
A dedicated two-output star-delta timer (CT-VWD/CT-YDD/CT-SDD or RE22R) usually costs less than wiring two independent single-function timers plus the interlocking logic to sequence them, and it removes one source of wiring error from the panel.
Does module width affect price?
Within a brand, yes — Schneider's 22.5 mm RE22 carries added rotary selectors versus the 17.5 mm RE17 and is priced above it. Across brands, module width alone isn't a reliable price signal; function tier matters more.
Conclusion
Timing relay pricing follows function count, range coverage, contact rating, and mounting format — in that order of impact — before brand enters the comparison. ABB CT-D and Schneider Zelio Time price their entry, multifunction, and star-delta tiers along the same structure, which means the fastest way to a fair quote is matching tier to tier rather than part number to part number. Price the job, not the label, and check total installed cost — socket, spares, panel space, commissioning time — before the unit price alone decides the BOM.
