Abstract: A relay has a pair of fixed contacts, a pair of movable contacts adapted to be engaged and disengaged with the fixed contacts, and a solenoid having a coil and a plunger movable into and out of the solenoid, the plunger having an outer end operably connected to the movable contacts. The relay can maintain either of two stable positions in the absence of power to the coil, the two positions being a contact open or magnetically latched position and a closed or unlatched position. The invention is improved by a ball joint arrangement interconnecting the plunger and the movable contacts to enable wiping of the contacts on closure to remove thin film tarnish caused by oxidation of the Nobel metal contacts and to produce a torsional force which facilitates breaking of welds on opening. An insulator surrounds the movable contacts for cooling the arcing and magnetic fields are oriented with respect to the current in the contacts in a manner that applies a force on the current in the direction of the insulator.