Pickering reed relays with low thermal EMF for direct drive from Logic ICs


The Pickering 100 and 101 Series are a complete range of Single-in- Line (SIL) reed relays featuring low thermal EMF and primarily intended for direct drive from CMOS logic IC’s. The 100 series can be driven directly from 4000B CMOS or NMOS logic or similar low current sources, in addition, the mercury wetted relays in the range may be driven directly from TTL logic. The 101 series is designed to be driven direct with 5V 74HC or 74HCT logic without the need for additional drivers, this can help save valuable board space.

Pickering employ many years of know-how and experience in the design and construction of their reed relays, features such as formerless coil construction allow the coil to be wound directly onto the glass envelope containing the reed switch, this maximises magnetic efficiency and allows the use of less sensitive reed switches resulting in optimal switching action and extended lifetime at operational extremes. Other design innovations include Pickering’s SoftCentre™ technology which provides maximum cushioned protection of the reed switch, minimising internal lifetime stresses and extending the working life and contact stability. Competitors’ rigid hard moulded construction results in significant stresses to the glass reed switch which can cause the switch blades to deflect or misalign leading to changes in the operating characteristics and long-term reliability of the reed switch.

Click below for an Introduction to how Pickering Reed Relays are constructed

The 100 series are housed in a SIL package measuring just 24.1mm length by 10.2mm width, the height of the package is 12.7mm for 1 Form A (SPNO) and 1 Form C (SPCO) and 15.2mm for 1 Form B (SPNC) and 2 Form A (DPNO) contact configurations. The 101 series are housed in an even more compact SIL package measuring just 20.1mm length by 7.4mm width, the height of the package is 9.4mm for 1 Form A (SPNO) and 1 Form C (SPCO) and 12.5mm for 1 Form B (SPNC) and 2 Form A (DPNO) contact configurations. Both types are available with dry and mercury wetted switches in a range of configurations and coil voltages. The reed switches in the 2 Form A (DPNO) version are vertically stacked so the relay requires the same board area as the 1 Form A (SPNO) type.

Thermal EMF is a phenomenon whereby a very small voltage, typically in the microvolt range (μV), can be produced due to temperature variations in the contacts of a reed relay. The 100 and 101 series reed relays have internal thermal EMF levels as low as 1 microvolt (μV) for single pole types or even lower for two pole types used for differential switching, where there can be some cancellation of the thermal EMF voltages from the two switches. They feature internal mu-metal magnetic screening to avoid the effects of magnetic interaction between relays this allows very close stacking of the relays on the PCB, in the case of the 101 series these can be stacked on a 0.3 inch (7.6mm) pitch.

Dense reed relay stacking possible saving valuable PCB space

Both the 100 and the 101 series are suited to applications where conservation of current is important, for example, battery powered equipment. Their low coil power requirements and low thermal EMF figures also make them ideal for data acquisition and thermocouple switching applications.

Key Features

  • SoftCenter™ construction
  • Highest quality instrumentation grade switches
  • Low thermal EMF about 1 microvolt or less
  • Can be driven directly from Logic ICs
  • Save board space by eliminating the need for drivers
  • Low power consumption, ideal for portable equipment
  • Encapsulated in a plastic package with internal mu-metal magnetic screen
  • Wide range of switch configurations – 1 Form A, 1 Form B, 2 Form A, 1 Form C
  • Two pole relay requires the same board area as the single pole type
  • Many benefits compared to industry standard relays
  • Dry and mercury wetted switches are available with the same pin configuration and footprint
  • Insulation resistance greater than 10E12 Ohms (1TOhms) for dry Form A devices
  • 3, 5, 12, and 24 volt coils are standard, with or without internal diode
  • 100% tested for dynamic contact resistance

Click here to download the 100 series datasheet

Click here to download the 101 series datasheet

Our reed relays are available at UK distributor Anglia Components. Or to find your local sales representative or distributor click here.

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New HV SPDT Form C Reed Relays

HIGH VOLTAGE RELAYS

New Series 67 1 Form C High Voltage PCB Relay

• PCB Mounting with option of flying lead switch connections
• Robust tungsten plated vacuum switches
• Plastic package with internal mu-metal magnetic screen
• Ideal for cable and transformer test or other high voltage applications

Pickering Electronics are pleased to announce the new changeover 1 Form C version of our popular Series 67 high voltage PCB relay that saves space and makes design simple.

In applications where high voltage signals need to be routed to alternate points, polarity reversing, capacitor charge or discharge for example, a high voltage Changeover relay (SPDT/Form C) would be the ideal solution. These are often implemented using two Normally Open (SPST/Form A) high voltage relays, by ensuring that one switch is always opened before the second switch is closed.  This requires twice the PCB area and can cause complex driving issues.  Also, if either of the SPST relays sticks then there is risk of unintentionally shorting signals. Pickering’s new 67-1-C high voltage reed relay guarantees break-before-make operation in a single, compact part.

Rated at up to 5kV stand-off, 2.5kV switching at 100W (max), the new Series 67 changeover relays measure just 58.4 x 12.6mm – the same size as a standard Series 67 relay – and are available with 5V, 12V or 24V coils. Devices feature PCB connections to switch and coil. Like many Pickering reed relays, the Series 67 parts benefit from internal EMI screening and SoftCenter™ construction. The fully-encapsulated, single-in-line relays employ tungsten-plated contacts. Optional flying leads are available for high voltage connections.

For a Free evaluation sample of the Series 67 please click here>>

To download the new Series 67 datasheet click here>>

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Pickering delivers clear, comprehensive new information resource.

Interactive datasheets revealed – packed with more information – clear and easy to read

Pickering Electronics, the reed relay company which has pioneered miniaturization and high performance for over 50 years, has completely revamped the datasheets of its entire range of reed relays, providing more information in a clearer format with interactive links to further useful content.

New information includes additional environmental specs, mechanical characteristics and relay weights, plus RF plots for coaxial relays, showing VSWR, isolation and insertion loss. Instead of being ‘squashed’ onto two pages – a legacy of printed datasheets – the specifications and relay details are more clearly laid out, especially the mechanical drawings.

The new designed-for-digital datasheets include interactive links to relevant technical applications information and content, including a summary document entitled ‘10 key benefits of Pickering Reed Relays’ and a comparison table to similar products from Pickering.

Comments Pickering CEO Keith Moore: “It’s easy to overlook so-called ‘simple’ components such as reed relays, so we decided to make all our experience available to designers as easily as possible, so they make the correct choice.”

Pickering’s new reed relay datasheets are available to view and download at: https://www.pickeringrelay.com/data-sheets/

Data Sheets

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.

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NEW SERIES 131

131-relays-on-background

High Voltage Mini-SIL
Single-in-Line SIL/SIP Reed Relay

    • Smallest high voltage reed relay currently available
    • Switching up to 0.7 Amps, 10 Watts
    • Choice of 3, 5 or 12 Volt coils with optional internal diode
    • 1 Form A (Energize to make) SPST N.O. configuration
    • Internal mu-metal magnetic screen allows side by side stacking without magnetic interaction
    • Unique SoftCenter® construction
    • 100% tested for dynamic contact resistance
    • Highest quality vacuumed, sputtered ruthenium reed switches
    • Ideal for cable testers, mixed signal/semiconductor testers, backplane testers, high voltage instrumentation, in-circuit test equipment or other applications where high voltage is required.

Pickering Electronics is pleased to announce the new Series 131. Housed in the miniature SIL/SIP package, new Series 131 reed relays have a footprint of just 12.5mm x 3.7mm and a height of 6.6mm and deliver a minimum stand-off of 1500V.

Featuring a  choice of 3, 5 or 12 volt coils, with optional internal diode, Series 131 reed relays are available in the 1 Form A (energize to make) SPST N.O. configuration, and can  switch up to 0.7 amps, 10 watts. Devices are ideal for cable testers, mixed signal/semiconductor testers, backplane testers, high voltage instrumentation, in-circuit test equipment or other HV applications. The vacuumed, sputtered ruthenium reed switches have a superb low level performance also, which makes them an ideal choice where a wide range of signals are involved.

The range is based on the long established Series 113 style of plastic package with an internal mu-metal magnetic screen which allows high packing density and are made using Pickering’s SoftCenter® construction.

For a Free evaluation sample of the Series 131 please click here>>

To download the new Series 131 datasheet click here>>

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