Pickering Electronics, a leader in high-performance reed relays, has announced significant enhancements to the power ratings of four of its most popular relay series: 112, 113, 116, and the ultra-high density 122 Series.  This development provides engineers with more options for higher switching specifications without occupying additional PCB space, reinforcing the company's commitment to continuous innovation and product improvement.

Enhanced Power Ratings

The new power ratings, ranging from 50% to 100% higher than previous models, offer engineers greater flexibility across various applications.  With thousands of versions available, including customizable options and bespoke relays, the updated series meets diverse application needs effectively.

Series 112

The Series 112 single-in-line (SIL) reed relays 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 a 1 Amp carry current.  These compact relays occupy a footprint of only 0.15 inches (3.8mm) by 0.4 inches (10mm), achieved by mounting the reed switch diagonally within the package.  They are ideal for high-density card-based systems such as VME, VXI, CompactPCI, and PXI, and their sputtered ruthenium switch contacts make them suitable for automatic test equipment (ATE).

Series 113

The Series 113 SIL reed relay range has been similarly updated with new general-purpose switch type 1 options, also rated for up to 20 Watts (15 W for the 3 V coil version) at 1 Amp switching current, with a 1 Amp carry current.  The board area remains compact at 0.15 inches (3.8mm) by 0.5 inches (12.7mm).  This series includes the smallest changeover reed relay on the market, rated for 2 Watts (switch type number 3) and a coaxial device suited for up to 3GHz.  Additionally, a 2-pole DPST option with a 5 V coil is available, providing up to 20 Watts switching at 1 Amp.

Series 116

Designed for very high-density applications like ATE switching matrices, 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 a 1 Amp carry current.  The optimized board area features 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.

Ultra-High Density Series 122

The Series 122 reed relays, which occupy a PCB footprint of only 4mm x 4mm, now include new general-purpose switch type 1 options rated for up to 15 Watts at 1 Amp switching current, with a 1 Amp carry current.  Standing 12.5mm tall, these relays provide the highest packing density available and feature instrumentation-grade reed switches with internal mu-metal magnetic screens to minimize magnetic interaction when relays are closely stacked.

Commitment to Quality and Reliability

Kevin Mallett, Technical Specialist at Pickering Electronics, stated, “With these increased power ratings for new general-purpose switch type number 1 options—50-100% higher than in previous switch type number 2 options—customers can benefit from enhanced switching specifications across four of our most popular relay series.”

Pickering reed relays are renowned for their reliability, thanks to superior manufacturing processes and stringent quality control.  They utilize instrumentation-grade sputtered ruthenium contacts, which outperform the more commonly used electroplated rhodium found in lower-grade relays.  This results in stable contact resistance and optimal switching action, even under extreme operational conditions.

All operating parameters undergo 100% testing, including dynamic contact wave-shape analysis, ensuring reliability.  Unlike other manufacturers that may perform only basic DC testing or batch testing, Pickering Electronics guarantees consistency and reliability in its products.  Furthermore, they conduct rigorous 100% thermal cycling stress testing, ranging from -20°C to +85°C, repeated three times—an uncommon practice in the industry that helps to reduce field failures.

With these advancements, Pickering Electronics continues to set the standard for quality and performance in the relay market.