There are several key factors:
- You need to have an idea of the required load. What voltage and current is being switched at the time of closure for the first 50 nanoseconds?
- How many operations will be required during the life of the product?
- What are the size requirements? How much room is needed?
- How will the product be mounted? Surface mount, thru hole, etc.
- For long life and low levels, use a ruthenium or an iridium sputtered/plated switch.
- For switching applications from 50 Volts to 200 volts use the Philips/Coto/Comus sputtered ruthenium switch.
- For switching currents 25 ma to 1 amp, the KOFU thickly plated rhodium is good along with our KSK-1A35.
- For higher voltages above 200 volts up to 4000 volts at relatively low current use the OKI ORD2210V.
- For voltages above 1000 volts up to 10,000 volts with higher currents use the Hermetic vacuum switches. This represents a start. One could write a book on this subject. Best to find out the exact customer load and run a life test with a few or several reed switches to make the final determination.
