Reed switch contacts are sealed in a glass tube with an inert gas or a vacuum ensuring excellent low-level performance whereas, with electromechanical relays, where the contacts are open to the environment, they can be affected by oxidization or dust and debris. And unlike electromechanical relays where the contacts are mechanically moved, the reed switch is operated by the small magnetic deflection of the contact blades, so with no moving parts to wear out, mechanical life can be over 1000 times longer. Compared to semiconductors, the simplicity of a metallic conducting path from a closed reed switch can be preferable, with the advantage of no controlling voltages across the switch path.

Pickering Reed Relays for General Instrumentation offer SPST and DPST normally open, SPST normally closed and SPDT and DPST configurations, all featuring magnetic screening as standard to allow side-by-side stacking. With such a wide range of options, they can provide solutions for many different applications including test equipment, automation control, interfacing and general hardware control, and Pickering can offer customization to meet unique requirements.