Pickering Doubles Power Ratings, Expanding High-Spec Options for Popular Reed Relays
27 June 2024 - 8:43PM
Business Wire
New 50-100% higher power ratings for four of
Pickering’s most popular relay series, the 112, 113, 116 & 122
Series
Leading manufacturer of high performance reed relays, Pickering
Electronics has increased the power ratings of four of its most
popular relay series – including Series 112, 113 and 116, plus
ultra-high density 4mm2 Series 122 – to ensure engineers have more
options for higher switching specifications, without taking up more
valuable PCB space. As part of the company’s ongoing commitment of
continuous innovation and product improvement, the higher power
ratings enhance the already wide range of switching options
available. With thousands of versions on offer, as well as
customisable options and bespoke relays to fit any application
need, engineers have more flexibility than ever before.
Series 112
The Series 112 single-in-line (SIL) reed relays, requiring a
board area of only 0.15 inches (3.8mm) by 0.4 inches (10mm), now
feature a new general purpose switch type 1 option, rated for up to
20 Watts (15 W for the 3 V coil version) at 1 Amp switching current
(with 1 Amp carry current). The small footprint in this relay is
achieved by mounting the reed switch diagonally within the package.
The Series is suitable for high-density card-based systems such as
VME, VXI, CompactPCI, and PXI. The high-quality, sputtered
ruthenium switch contacts also make them ideal for ATE (automatic
test equipment).
Series 113
The Series 113 SIL reed relay range has also been updated to
include the new general purpose switch type 1 options. This switch
is rated for up to 20 Watts (15 W for the 3 V coil version) at 1
Amp switching current, with 1 Amp carry current. The board area
remains compact at 0.15 inches (3.8mm) by 0.5 inches (12.7mm). This
series also includes the smallest changeover reed relay available
on the market, with a 2 Watts rating (switch type number 3) and a
coaxial device suitable for up to 3GHz. Additionally, the switch
type 1 option will be available in 2-pole DPST with a 5 V coil,
offering up to 20 Watts switching at 1 Amp.
Series 116
Designed for very high-density applications, such as ATE
switching matrices or multiplexers, the Series 116 relays now offer
new general purpose switch type 1 options rated for up to 20 Watts
(15 W for the 3 V and 5 V coil versions) at 1 Amp switching
current, with 1 Amp carry current. The board area is optimized with
1 Form A (SPST) stacking on a 0.15 inch (3.8mm) x 0.27 inch (6.9mm)
pitch and 2 Form A (DPST) stacking on a 0.15 inch (3.8mm) x 0.40
inch (10mm) pitch. Series 116 will also be available in 2-pole
DPST, with a 5 V coil up to 1 Amp, 15 W, or a 12 V coil with up to
20 W switching.
Ultra-High Density Series 122
The Series 122 reed relays, which occupy a PCB footprint of only
4mm x 4mm, now feature new general purpose switch type 1 options
rated for up to 15 Watts at 1 Amp switching current, with 1 Amp
carry current. Measuring 12.5mm in height, these relays facilitate
the highest packing density currently available and feature the
highest quality instrumentation grade reed switches and internal
mu-metal magnetic screens to minimize magnetic interaction when
relays are stacked closely together.
“With these increased power ratings for new general purpose
switch type number 1 options – 50-100% higher than in previous
switch type number 2 option,” noted Kevin Mallett, Technical
Specialist at Pickering Electronics, “customers can now benefit
from higher switching specification options across four of our most
popular relay series.”
Pickering reed relays are known for their reliability due to
superior manufacturing and quality control processes. They feature
instrumentation-grade sputtered ruthenium contacts, rather than the
more common electroplated rhodium associated with low grade reed
relays with less stable contact resistance. Along with Pickering’s
formerless coil construction, this maximises magnetic efficiency,
allowing the use of less sensitive reed switches resulting in
optimal switching action and extended lifetime at operational
extremes. Magnetic mu-metal screening eliminates problems that
would otherwise be experienced due to magnetic interaction when
relays are closely stacked.
Pickering also stands out by 100% testing all operating
parameters, including dynamic contact wave-shape analysis with
thorough data scrutiny to ensure consistency. Unlike other
manufacturers that perform only simple DC testing or batch testing,
which can lead to non-operational devices being supplied, Pickering
Electronics guarantees reliability. Additionally, they conduct 100%
thermal cycling stress testing of the manufacturing processes,
ranging from -20°C to +85°C and back to -20°C, repeated three
times. This rigorous testing is rarely performed by other
manufacturers, often resulting in repeated field failures.
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 (automated test equipment) and semiconductor companies
throughout the world.
The privately-owned Pickering Group comprises three electronics
manufacturers: reed relay company, Pickering Electronics; Pickering
Interfaces, designers and manufacturers of modular signal switching
and simulation products; and Pickering Connect, which designs and
manufactures cables and connectors.
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