The Importance of Reed Switch Blade Alignment When Using Reed Relays

This short video explains the importance of reed switch blade alignment to ensure long life and optimum performance when using reed relays.

The alignment of the reed switch blades is paramount, they need to line up and be parallel to each other to ensure when operated, the maximum contact area comes together giving the lowest contact resistance and best contact resistance stability.

High-end reed relay manufacturers using instrumentation grade reed switches will test the contact resistance stability to ensure correct alignment.

Some general-purpose, low-cost reed switches can often have blades that do not align properly, or the blades are not parallel.