externally. Internal mu-metal magnetic screening is included – otherwise dense packing of the relays would not be possible due to magnetic interaction. While Pickering do not normally recommend connectors as they do compromise resistance integrity, it is


on all its products. This means that the reed switches that it uses must also be of a very high quality. Pickering Electronics only makes high quality relays and does not sell parallel lower quality ‘budget’ ranges. As Keith Moore says, “the risks of using an


Self-Test (BIRST) and is also supported by their eBIRST Switching System Test Tools. These tools provide a quick and simple way of finding relays that have been damaged or reached their end of life within the modules. Pickering Interfaces’ previous generation PXI modules use Pickering Electronics’ series 117 reed relays, which, when launched, were the smallest products available on the market, with a footprint measuring 6.86 x 3.81 mm (0.27 x 0.15 inches). In order to achieve the doubling in switching density required to achieve its goals for the new matrices, Pickering Interfaces approached its sister company to see if any further space savings could be achieved.


“It was definitely a case of the


application leading the product development”, says Moore, “and the new 120 series product they have produced occupies the smallest board area – a mere 4 x 4mm – while enabling the highest packing density currently available.” The new reed relays are available in two switch types: a general-purpose sputtered ruthenium switch rated for up to 20 watts and 1 amp and a low-level sputtered ruthenium switch rated at 10 watts and 0.5 amps. The reed switches are oriented vertically within the package, significantly improving the packing density. However, the small package size cannot accommodate an internal diode: back EMF suppression diodes are included in many relay drivers, however, if they are required, depending on the drive method, diodes can be provided


A total of 528 Series 120 relays on a Pickering Interfaces ultra-high- density PXI module illustrates the packing density of these extremely small reed relays


understood that these are sometimes desirable to aid serviceability. The relay pins on 2mm pitch are compatible with some connectors in the market place and allow them to be stacked in either a row or in a matrix on a 4mm pitch. Pickering Interfaces provides a


standard three-year warranty and guaranteed long-term product support


inferior or unsuitable product for a high performance application such as automotive or semiconductor testing far over-shadow any perceived cost savings – to put it another way, product recalls and lost reputations mean that one must consider the total cost of each component chosen very carefully indeed.”


Pickering Electronics celebrates 50 years of high quality reed relays


Pickering Electronics, an innovator and


manufacturer of high quality reed relays, has announced that this year marks 50 years in business


F


ounded in 1968, by the late John Moore, the future of the business Mr Moore built is bright, with sales in 2017 up by 30 per cent on the previous year. “50 years of designing, manufacturing and distributing reed relays means that we have a very good understanding of the product we are selling and consider ourselves to be the leaders in reed relay technology,” said Graham Dale, technical director at Pickering Electronics. “Since 1968, we have gradually evolved our reed relays from very large, relatively crude parts to the small, ultra-reliable parts we have today. Production methods and quality systems have improved a great deal over that time, and costs have been radically reduced.” “When I started designing reed relays in the late 1970 some were saying that these electromechanical devices would have a limited lifetime. Instead, the market for high-quality reed relays has increased into areas that were inconceivable in those days,” he added. The Pickering Group is now comprised of two privately owned companies, who are leading suppliers of high reliability switching solutions; Pickering Electronics, the leaders in reed relay design and


www.cieonline.co.uk


manufacture, and its sister company; Pickering Interfaces, who since 1988, have been designing and manufacturing modular signal switching and simulation for switching systems. The Pickering Group now employ over 380 people worldwide, with manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic, along with additional representation in countries throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australasia.


The company’s success is due to its unique ability to design high quality products, a strong vision from their founder, the speed in which they get innovative designs to market, a good relationship with their suppliers and commitment from their much-valued staff. To celebrate 50 years in business, Pickering Electronics have various celebrations planned, including a party for


all their staff, as well as publishing a book about the company’s first 50 years. The book features various milestones in Pickering Electronics’ history, along with stories, quotes and personal photographs from their founder, directors and employees. The book is now available to download from the Pickering Electronics’ website.


www.pickeringrelay.com Components in Electronics April 2018 9


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