Choosing the Right Reed Relay for Your Test & Measurement Application
What are Reed Relays and how are they used in Test & Measurement?
What are the advantages of using Reed Relays in Test & Measurement applications?
What are the common applications of Reed Relays in Test & Measurement?
What types of Reed Relays are available for Test & Measurement applications?
Why is Standex Electronics a preferred choice for Reed Relays in Test & Measurement?
How does Standex Electronics ensure the quality and reliability of their Reed Relays?
What are some considerations when choosing a Reed Relay for a Test & Measurement application?
1. What are Reed Relays and how are they used in Test & Measurement?
Reed relays are electromagnetic switches that use a hermetically sealed reed switch to open and close an electrical circuit. They are commonly used in test & measurement applications due to their ability to switch a wide range of signals, from nanovolts to kilovolts, and femtoamps to amps, while maintaining high isolation and long operating life.
2. What are the advantages of using Reed Relays in Test & Measurement applications?
Reed relays offer several benefits in test & measurement, including:
- High isolation between control and load circuits
- Low and stable contact resistance
- Low capacitance and high insulation resistance
- Long life, with billions of operations possible
- Small size and profile, suitable for high-density boards
- Minimal power consumption, ideal for battery-powered devices
- Ability to handle high frequency signals with minimal distortion
- Resistance to shock and vibration, suitable for harsh environments
3. What are the common applications of Reed Relays in Test & Measurement?
Reed relays are used in a wide variety of test & measurement equipment, including:
- Automated Test Equipment (ATE): IC testers, chip testers, PCB testers, cable testers, wafer testers, high voltage testers, logic testers, memory testers
- Instrumentation: Data acquisition systems, oscilloscopes, multimeters, network analyzers, signal generators, electrometers, modular instrumentation, battery-powered instruments
- Specialized Equipment: High-frequency (RF) devices, high-speed digital I/O devices, programmable power supplies, data loggers, data scanners, matrix switches, multiplexers, multi-point recorders, RF applications
4. What types of Reed Relays are available for Test & Measurement applications?
Standex Electronics offers a wide range of reed relays specifically designed for test & measurement applications, including:
- RF Reed Relays: CRF series relays for high-frequency switching up to 7 GHz
- High Voltage/Insulation Relays: BH series for high isolation, MRE series for high voltage switching up to 1 kVDC and high insulation resistance
- High Voltage SMD Relays: KT & MHV series for surface mount applications requiring high voltage switching up to 1 kVDC
- High Density Board Relays: SIL, MS, UMS, and RM series for large and closely stacked switching matrices
- High Voltage/High Density Relays: LI, SHV, and BE series for combining high breakdown voltage up to 4 kVDC with suitability for closely stacked matrices
- High Voltage Relays to 10 kVDC: H, HE, and HM series for switching up to 10 kVDC and providing up to 20 kVDC isolation
5. Why is Standex Electronics a preferred choice for Reed Relays in Test & Measurement?
Standex Electronics is a global leader in reed switch and reed relay technology, offering a comprehensive range of products and services for test & measurement applications. Our relays are known for their high quality, reliability, and performance.
In addition to our standard reed relays, we also offer custom reed relays to meet the specific needs of our customers. Our team of engineers has extensive experience in designing and manufacturing reed relays, and we are confident that we can provide you with the best possible solution for your application.
Our expertise includes:
- In-House Design, Development, and Manufacturing: Ensures quality control and customization capabilities.
- Extensive Testing Capabilities: Including vibration, shock, temperature cycling, humidity, and life cycle testing to meet industry standards.
- Global Support Network: Provides sales support, engineering assistance, and technical resources worldwide.
6. How does Standex Electronics ensure the quality and reliability of their Reed Relays?
Standex Electronics has a strong commitment to quality and reliability, demonstrated by:
- In-House Testing: Rigorous testing procedures, including qualification testing and life cycle testing, are performed in-house to ensure compliance with industry standards.
- Hermetically Sealed Reed Switches: Encapsulated in robust housings to protect against environmental factors and ensure long-term reliability.
- Proprietary Life Cycle Testing Technology: Allows for real-time monitoring and analysis of switch performance over billions of cycles.
7. What are some key considerations when choosing a Reed Relay for a specific Test & Measurement application?
- Switching Voltage and Current: Select a relay with appropriate voltage and current ratings for the application.
- Isolation Requirements: Consider the necessary level of isolation between circuits.
- Operating Frequency: Choose a relay with a frequency response suitable for the signal being switched.
- Size and Packaging: Select a package style that fits the board layout and density requirements.
- Operating Environment: Consider factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibration when choosing a relay.