New high-voltage SMD reed relays for instrumentation and ATE

Pickering Electronics will showcase its newly introduced high-voltage surface mount reed relay at Productronica.

"As Pickering continuously improves its reed relay offering for instrumentation and ATE, we expect to see interest at Productronica from diverse sectors and applications, including mixed-signal semiconductor test, high-end cable and backplane test, signal switching in medical electronics, EV charging, solar cell monitoring, and high voltage instrumentation," commented Robert King, product development manager at Pickering Electronics.

Suitable for mixed signal semiconductor testers, medical equipment testing, EV charge point testing, and monitoring solar cell photovoltaic efficiency, the company's new Series 219 high voltage SMD reed relay can effortlessly switch up to 1kV – and is the only surface mount high voltage relay available in the market in 2 Form A and 1 Form B packages. The company offers all contact configurations with three coil voltages, 3V, 5V, or 12V, and switch stand-off is up to 3kV in the 1 form A package, up to 2kV in the 1 form B package, and up to 1.5kV in the 2 form A package.

Other reed relay technology on show includes Series 104HT, which can function in environments with temperatures as high as 125C (with special order variants able to reach up to 150C). Belonging to its family of miniature high-voltage reed relays, it comes in the SIL package and is spaced at a 6.35mm (0.25") pitch, providing a stand-off voltage capacity of up to 4kV. Series 104 reed relays are obtainable in 1 Form A, 2 Form A, and 1 Form B configurations. Coil options comprise 5V, 12V, or 24V, with optional internal diode protection (higher voltage ratings are available on special order). Mercury wetted devices are also available for applications requiring bounce-free switching, rated at 1500VDC minimum stand-off, and 500VDC switching at up to 50W.

The company will highlight other high-voltage reed relays, including its 67ES/68ES SIL/SIP reed relay families. Series 67 and 68 relays feature former-less coils, which means that they can be housed in a smaller package than is usual for this type of device, measuring just 58.4mm x 12.6mm x 14.5mm. Series 67 relays offer PCB connections to switch and coil and provide the highest power switch capability – up to 200W – in its portfolio. Series 68 devices have PCB connections to the coil, and flying leads to the switch, which isolates high voltage from the PCB.

Electrostatic screening protection is also available for the Series 104, 67, and 68 relays. This screening protects against noise which can otherwise arise between the coil drive and high-voltage circuits. This new screening is in addition to the company's internal mu-metal screen, eradicating problems caused by magnetic interaction when devices are closely stacked.

Productronica, Hall A1, stand #452, from November 14–17, 2023.