Who are Pickering Electronics?
This video explains who Pickering Electronics are and what it is we offer. Pickering Electronics are well known for leading the high-end reed relay market through innovative product design, high-performance components, and exceptional quality control.
Pickering was established over 55 years ago to design and manufacture high-quality reed relays, intended principally for use in Instrumentation and Test equipment. Today, Pickering’s Single-in-Line (SIL/SIP) range is by far the most developed in the relay industry with devices 25% the size of many competitors. These small SIL/SIP reed relays are sold in high volumes to large ATE and Semiconductor companies throughout the world.
The relays are suitable for many applications, for example, high-density applications such as A.T.E. switching matrices or multiplexers, high-voltage applications such as mixed-signal semiconductor testers, high-end cable testers, backplane testers, medical electronics, electric vehicles, solar energy, excellent physics, in-circuit test equipment, and high voltage instrumentation.
Free relay samples are available on request to aid evaluation R&D without any cost, worldwide tech support from experienced engineers and an unrivalled range of specialist and custom devices, Pickering engineers work alongside customers to deliver problem-solving solutions for complex and challenging applications.
Reed Relays are available in Surface Mount (SMD), Single-in-Line (SIL/SIP), Dual-in-Line (DIL/DIP) and many other popular package styles.
Part of the privately-owned Pickering Group, company operations employ around 600 staff across quality accredited factories in the UK and the Czech Republic, supplying demanding Aerospace, Infrastructure, Semiconductor Testing, Test & Measurement, and ATE applications worldwide.
Other divisions of the Group include Pickering Interfaces, designers and manufacturers of modular signal switching and simulation products, and Pickering Connect which designs and manufactures cables and connectors.
Series 104 Mini SIL up to 4kV
Small high voltage reed relays in Form A and Form B. Up to 4000 V stand-off, 1000 V switching. 5, 12 or 24 V coils. Suitable for transformer testing.
Series 104 Mini SIL up to 4kV
Small high voltage reed relays in Form A and Form B. Up to 4000 V stand-off, 1000 V switching. 5, 12 or 24 V coils. Suitable for transformer testing.
- Published in General News
Understanding Thermal EMFs in Reed Relays
This short video explains the presence of thermal electromotive force (EMF) voltages within reed relays.
In applications, where very low signal levels are present or very low offset voltages, are required, thermal EMF voltages generated across the reed switches can introduce unacceptable errors where accurate measurements are important.
Understanding how thermal EMF voltages are generated, what affects the amplitude and the best way to use reed relays where this is critical, will help the user to select the best relay for their application.
Want to learn more about Pickering’s unique relay construction techniques?
To learn about formerless coil winding and SoftCenter™ technology click here.
Looking for additional information on reed relay technology?
Pickering has published an educational book, the Reed RelayMate, which provides an overview of how reed relays work, how they are constructed and how to interpret their specifications and make best use of them in their applications.
Contents include:
- Reed relay basics
- Comparing reed relays with other relay technologies
- Packaging reed relays
- Manufacturing test of reed relays
- Choosing a reed relay
- Placing and driving a reed relay coil
- Loading reed relays
- Understanding specifications
- Relay terminology
To view or download your free copy click here.
If you found this video helpful / interesting please take a look at our other useful videos which can be found here.
About Pickering Electronics
Pickering Electronics was formed over 50 years ago to design and manufacture high quality reed relays, intended principally for use in Instrumentation and Test equipment. Today, Pickering’s Single-in-Line (SIL/SIP) range is by far the most developed in the relay industry with devices 25% the size of many competitors. These small SIL/SIP reed relays are sold in high volumes to large ATE and Semiconductor companies throughout the world.
Pickering Electronics is part of the privately-owned Pickering Group; made up of three electronics manufacturers, including Pickering Interfaces who design and manufacture modular signal switching and simulation products, and Pickering Connect who design and manufacture cables and connectors.
- Published in General News
Her Majesty the Queen 1926 – 2022
We join in the UK Nation’s sadness at the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. We extend our deepest condolences to the Royal Family and everyone mourning her loss around the world.
Pickering will be closed on Monday 19th September for the Queen’s State Funeral. We aim to respond to any enquiries within 2 working days once we re-open on Tuesday 20th September.
- Published in General News, Media News
How are Reed Relays Constructed?
Watch this video for a brief explanation of how Pickering Electronics assemble / construct their high performance reed relays for high-end Semiconductor Testing, Instrumentation and Automatic Test Equipment.
Want to learn more about Pickering’s unique relay construction techniques?
To learn about formerless coil winding and SoftCenter™ technology click here.
Looking for additional information on reed relay technology?
Pickering has published an educational book, the Reed RelayMate, which provides an overview of how reed relays work, how they are constructed and how to interpret their specifications and make best use of them in their applications.
Contents include:
- Reed relay basics
- Comparing reed relays with other relay technologies
- Packaging reed relays
- Manufacturing test of reed relays
- Choosing a reed relay
- Placing and driving a reed relay coil
- Loading reed relays
- Understanding specifications
- Relay terminology
To view or download your free copy click here.
If you found this video helpful / interesting please take a look at our other useful videos which can be found here.
About Pickering Electronics
Pickering Electronics was formed over 50 years ago to design and manufacture high quality reed relays, intended principally for use in Instrumentation and Test equipment. Today, Pickering’s Single-in-Line (SIL/SIP) range is by far the most developed in the relay industry with devices 25% the size of many competitors. These small SIL/SIP reed relays are sold in high volumes to large ATE and Semiconductor companies throughout the world.
Pickering Electronics is part of the privately-owned Pickering Group; made up of three electronics manufacturers, including Pickering Interfaces who design and manufacture modular signal switching and simulation products, and Pickering Connect who design and manufacture cables and connectors.
- Published in General News
Reed Switch Blade Alignment Explained
Have you ever considered the importance of reed switch blade alignment to ensure long life and optimum performance when using reed relays? We have created a short video explaining how crucial blade alignment is within a reed relay.
Correct alignment of the blades is key to ensure when they are operating, the maximum contact area comes together giving the lowest contact resistance and best contact resistance stability.
Click play to watch the video below:
If you found this video helpful / interesting please take a look at our other useful videos which can be found here.
Reed Relay Selection Made Simple
Our Reed Relay Selector Tool will help you narrow down our large offering by filtering by coil voltage, switching current, contact configuration, and many more specifications. Once you narrow your selections down you can view the datasheet for more information, purchase in-stock items, or request a quote to find out lead times of made to order relays.
- Published in General News
Reed Relay Switching Methods Explained
This video provides a brief explanation of what hot and cold switching is when using reed relays and the effects different switching methods can have on relay life expectancy.
One simple method to greatly reduce the damaging effects of hot switching, and greatly increase the expected number of operations, is to cold switch the signal. Cold switching can increase a reed relays life expectancy to more than ten billion operations.
The video also goes into detail about capacitive inrush, as this is another common reason for early relay failures, which can easily be avoided/resolved.
If you found this video helpful / interesting please take a look at our other useful videos which can be found here.
Looking for additional information on reed relay technology? Pickering has published a concise technical guide to reed relays which covers:
- A short explanation on what magnetic interaction is and how to steer clear of it
- How temperature can affect reed relays
- What reed switch contact damage is and how to avoid it
- The different ways to switch reed relays, including ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ switching
- Why a diode should be placed across a relay coil
- The benefits of a SoftCenter™ construction and formerless coil winding
To view or download your free copy click here.
Reed Relay Selection Made Simple
Our Reed Relay Selector Tool will help you narrow down our large offering by filtering by coil voltage, switching current, contact configuration, and many more specifications. Once you narrow your selections down you can view the datasheet for more information, purchase in-stock items, or request a quote to find out lead times of made to order relays.
- Published in General News
Graham Dale – Technical Director, interview at SemiconWest 2016
Philip Stoten interviews Graham Dale, Technical Director of Pickering Electronics at their booth at SemiconWest 2016.
The interview focuses on Pickering’s new high voltage Reed Relay ranges including the Series 119 relays for up to 3kV and Series 67/68 for up 10kV.
These new relays help to maximize packing density of test equipment, with the Series 119 being the industry’s smallest HV Reed Relay yet. You can view the interview on Pickering’s YouTube channel.
- Published in General News, Media News
