Electromagnetic relay

An electromagnetic relay, comprising:

• a fixed terminal;
• a fixed contact connected to the fixed terminal;
• a movable contact piece configured to move in an opening direction and a closing direction with respect to the fixed terminal;
• a movable contact connected to the movable contact piece and arranged to face the fixed contact;
• a coil configured to generate an electromagnetic force to move the movable contact piece;
• a drive circuit configured to control a current to the coil;
• and
• a contact voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage at the movable contact and the fixed contact,
• wherein
• the drive circuit is configured 1) to increase the current at a first increase rate in a first period prior to the movable contact contacting the fixed contact, the first period beginning when the current starts to flow in the coil;
• and 2) in a second period subsequent to the movable contact contacting the fixed contact, to increase the current at a second increase rate that is larger than the first increase rate, the drive circuit further being configured to detect the movable contact contacting the fixed contact as part of a transition from the first period to the second period based on the voltage detected by the contact voltage detection unit.