Abstract: An electromagnetic relay comprises a frame having a magnetically permeable flat pole face, an electric coil for developing a magnetic flux in said pole face, and an L-shaped armature having a leg portion and a foot extending at substantially a right angle to the leg portion, one end of the leg portion of the armature being pivoted for rotation between a first position wherein both the leg and foot portions of the armature extend at acute angles to the flat pole face of the frame and a second position wherein the foot portion of the armature lies in close parallel relation to the pole face on the frame and the leg portion of the armature extends at a right angle to the pole face on the frame.