Pickering Electronics of Clacton-on-sea has developed a miniature high voltage relay for use in a new test rig, designed by  ON Semiconductor.

In switching systems for test and measurement applications, reed relays are often the best solution thanks to their small size, high isolation resistance, hermetically sealed contacts, fast operate time and long-life expectancy.

When developing a new test rig, ON Semiconductor – a long-standing customer of Pickering – identified the need for a reed relay with a stand-off voltage of at least 400VDC, which was also small enough to meet its demanding high switching density requirements.

The internal clearance constraints required by the uprated specs would not fit within the package dimensions of other miniature relays in Pickering’s broad portfolio. However, in just seven weeks, Pickering was able to send first prototypes of a device housed in the mini-SIP package with a footprint of 12.5mm x 3.7mm and a height of 6.6mm able to deliver a minimum stand-off of 1500V.

Featuring a  choice of 3, 5 or 12 volt coils, with optional internal diode, Series 131 reed relays are available in the 1 Form A (energize to make) SPST N.O. configuration, and can  switch up to 0.7 amps, 10 watts. Devices are ideal for cable testers, mixed signal/ semiconductor testers, backplane testers, high voltage instrumentation, in-circuit test equipment and other HV applications.