# item.guide
Side-by-Side Comparison Electrical & Ignition Standards

Automotive Relays & ISO Pinouts vs. Car Battery BCI Group Sizes

Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.

Comparing:
Automotive Relays & ISO Pinouts
Car Battery BCI Group Sizes

Automotive electromechanical relays switch high-current vehicle loads (cooling fans, fuel pumps, headlights, starter solenoids) using low-current control signals, standardized under ISO 7588 into Mini (1-inch cube) and Micro form factors with standard DIN 72552 terminal numbering (30, 85, 86, 87, 87a).

View full Automotive Relays & ISO Pinouts spec sheet →

Lead-acid and AGM 12V starter batteries are standardized by the Battery Council International (BCI) and EN/DIN into group sizes defining physical box dimensions (length × width × height), terminal post orientation (top post vs side post vs recessed European DIN), hold-down ledge profiles, and Cold Cranking Amperage (CCA).

View full Car Battery BCI Group Sizes spec sheet →

Specification Comparison Table

16 Parameters
Parameter / Spec
Governing Standards
ISO 7588 / DIN 72552 / SAE J2544 BCI Standards / EN 50342 / DIN 72311 / JIS D 5301
Form Factor Tiers
ISO Mini Relay (~28×28×25 mm) / ISO Micro Relay (~22×15×25 mm) / Maxi Relay
Contact Switching Ratings
Mini: 30A to 50A at 14V DC | Micro: 20A to 35A at 14V DC
Nominal Coil Voltages
12V DC (automotive passenger cars) / 24V DC (heavy commercial trucks)
Terminal 30 (DIN 72552)
Common High-Current Power Input (Fused Battery B+ feed)
Terminal 85 (DIN 72552)
Relay Coil Ground / Trigger Return (connected to ECU or ground switch)
Terminal 86 (DIN 72552)
Relay Coil Power (+12V ignition switch or control trigger)
Terminal 87 (DIN 72552)
Normally Open (NO) Output — Energized when coil is activated
Terminal 87a (DIN 72552)
Normally Closed (NC) Output — Energized when coil is unpowered (5-pin SPDT only)
Primary Dimension Landmarks
Physical Length × Width × Total Height (including terminals) in mm and inches
Group 24
260 × 173 × 225 mm (10.25 × 6.81 × 8.88") | Standard Japanese/American SUV & Truck
Group 35
230 × 175 × 225 mm (9.06 × 6.88 × 8.88") | Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Subaru sedans
Group 48 / H6 (DIN L3)
278 × 175 × 190 mm (10.94 × 6.88 × 7.50") | Universal European/US modern vehicle standard
Group 49 / H8 (DIN L5)
353 × 175 × 190 mm (13.90 × 6.88 × 7.50") | Large luxury sedans, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Porsche
Group 51R
238 × 129 × 223 mm (9.38 × 5.06 × 8.81") | Compact Honda Civic, Fit, S2000 (R = Reversed Polarity)
Group 94R / H7 (DIN L4)
315 × 175 × 190 mm (12.40 × 6.88 × 7.50") | Heavy-duty European crossovers & US pickups