History of the reed switching technologies in the electrical industry

The year 1936 accounts for the invention of the reed switching technology by one of the renowned team of scientists at Bell Telephone laboratories. Since the design of the reed switching technology, it has increased from large parts to small parts, which are ultra-reliable and durable for working with low power consuming electrical gadgets. The only things which have changed are the production methods and improvised quality optimization in the development of the reed switching technology. The production costs of reed switching technology have also reduced significantly. Let us overview on some of the significant differences between reed switching technology and other switching technologies.

All about the electromechanical relays Vs. the reed switching technologies

The EMR or the electromechanical relays are widely used in all the major manufacturing industries as they are too cheap and reliable for the switching functions. All the electronic production companies spend a lot on their investment to fetch the EMR or the electromechanical relay for switching purposes. We have mentioned below one some of the key differences between the electromechanical relays and the reed switching technologies

The key differences between the electromechanical relay and reed switching technology

• The reed switching technologies work faster than the EMR as the moving parts in the reed switching technology are much simpler than the electromechanical relay.
• The reed relays have sealed contacts, and hence they work more efficiently with the low power signals when compared to the EMR as the EMR’s have plastic packages which overtime get damaged due to pollutants and other emissions.
• The reed relays also have longer mechanical life when compared to that of the EMR’s. The main difference in the automated life arises due to the moving parts in both EMR and the reed switching technology.
• The reed switching technology also consumes less power than the EMR switching technology.
• The EMR is designed in such a way that they close in a wiping structure, and hence they clean themselves. But with overtime, the contact plating starts degrading.
• The EMR also offers low contact resistance when compared to the reed switching technology as they possess more extensive contacts, and hence they are only suitable for low resistance.
• The EMR’s also have a higher average rating than reed switching technology as they have more extensive contacts.

The general introduction to the reed switch technology

One of the common problems which all the users of the gas and water meters face is low-power metering and position sensing, and hence the engineers have brought a smart solution for the position sensing problems. The electrical engineers are using the latest modes of technology like the magnetoresistive (MR) or the hall effect sensors, which can take care of the sensitivity, durability, and reliability of the electrical appliance.

The new innovative technology offers herds of benefits to the electrical society somewhat, but they somehow lag behind some of the best features provided by the reed switch technology. For the recent three-to-four decades, the reed switch technology has been at the top when the concern is for operating the low-power switches with battery-operated applications.

We have brought here some of the best advantages of using the reed switch technology and all the ways of customizing the reed switch for diverse applications. We will also over-look on some reasons as to why the reed switch technology is in hype across the planet. We will also sense the pivotal position of the technology and how does the reed switch technology controls the market.

All about the low-power metering demands

The gas and water meters have automatic meter systems fitted along their body, which consist of sensors which demand low power. The reading of the water and gas is measured by a magnet that is attached to a shaft present on the meter. Every single revolution of the attraction is either directly or indirectly converted into an electrical signal, which is later controlled by an embedded system.

The critical parameter design is directly proportional to the low power demands in the system. The average lifetime of all the gas and water meters is twenty years without the replacement of the batteries.

The simple customization of the reed switch technology

The reed switch technology is aesthetic, but as it offers reliability and durability to the low-power applications, it is the first choice for all the users. Generally, a reed switch is an electrical switch that is controlled by a magnetic field. The composition of the reed switch consists of three or four metal pieces called reeds, which contain plated contacts at small distances. The Reed is later enclosed inside a glass tube with inert gas.

Reed Switch Technology is used in low power metering applications. This is an innovative technology which offers several other benefits. Reed switch technology is a mature technology which is known for its simplicity and reliability. You know that reed switches were used for low power and battery operated applications. Low power consumption is the critical characteristic of the reed switch technology. Customizing the application to specific requirements is possible. The following are the benefits of using reed switch technology.

What are the advantages in using Reed Switches ?

Low Operating Power

This technology is based on low operating power; thus it requires little power compared to MR and Hall effect sensors. This is achieved by the use of a low duty cycle of active sensing. This makes use of constant current to run the oscillator. The reed switches do not require power for its operations and are called passive components. Lower power consumption is achieved with the use of Reed Switches. Thus it reduces cost and the battery size requirements. Therefore make use of reed switches for power-sensitive applications with greater power efficiency.

Tight Power Usage Tolerance

Solid state devices operate with the maximum operating current; thus it draws maximum current from the batteries. This would reduce the lifetime of the product. With reed switch, the current draw is set by resistor and power supply rail. The power supply is tighter than solid devices. Thus power consumption is lowest with the reed switch.

Precise Magnetic Sensitivity

Sensitivity to a magnetic field is an essential feature of Reed switch. This is measured in terms of ampere-turns and this directly proportional to the current in the coil multiplied by the number of turns. The reed switches are accurate than the solid state digital switch. This is required for the functioning under various conditions.

Simple Customization

Solid state switches come with one standard size that fits all the applications. The sensitivity ranges vary in wide ranges. If the application does not meet your requirement, then it is not possible for a custom solution.

Reed switches come with custom sensitivity ranges, and it can be customized to satisfy the specific requirements of the application. Applications may require a varied range of sensitivity. This versatility makes the reed switch technology mostly preferred by people for all applications. Reed switches come with various options like mechanical packaging, termination options, etc. so that it can be fit in various applications. Reed switches can be used continuously without any break with a speed of hundreds of time per second.

Inherent Switch point Hysteresis

Hysteresis is nothing but the difference in the magnetic field between the operating point and release point of a device. Hysteresis is required for metering applications. In solid-state devices, hysteresis should be created, but with the reed switch, it posses inherent hysteresis and offers better reliability to metering applications.

The above are some of the essential benefits of using reed switch technology in various applications. It is possible to save a lot of money with the help of reed switch technology. Thus the use of reed switch technology offers the above benefits to low metering applications.

Read More : A Clear Overview Of Reed Relay

Reed relay is an electronic device which contains a reed switch, a coil that creates a magnetic field, a diode for managing the back EMF generated from the coil. It is a package encapsulated with different connection terminals. Reed relay is a device which makes use of low resistance metallic switch path.

Basic Overview of Reed Relay and its Working

Reed Switch

This switch is made up of two metallic blades. This is made up of ferromagnetic material which is sealed with glass material. This seal is called a hermetic seal which helps to prevent the contaminants from entering the critical area called the contact area. Mostly the reed switch is in open contact in normal state.

The presence of a magnetic field that is applied along the axis of the reed blades intensifies the magnetic field. The reed blades are, and this increases the magnetic field further. The open contact makes the reed blades to attract each other, and this deflects the blades. With the creation of the magnetic field, the blades touch each other and this result in electrical contact.

The reed switch does not contain any movable parts except the blade. This is because the switch does not include any pivot points which helps in movement. The switch area or the contact area is sealed hermetically by using a glass envelope and filling it with inert gas. You can also make use of a vacuum to fill the glass envelope. Sealing the contact area offers a long mechanical life.

The reed switch design is of variable size. The deflection of blades does not take place in case of longer switches. Deflections take place quickly in case of short reeds this because the short reeds are made up of thinner material. This creates a great impact on the contact area and its rating. With small reed switches, small relays can be constructed. It is better to make use of larger switches as it is mechanically robust with great contact area. This improves the signal carrying capability.

The contact area of the switch is made of several plating materials like rhodium, ruthenium, iridium which belong to the rare platinum group. These are wear resistant, hard and possess greater resistance stability. This is the reason for its long life and extended operation time. Tungsten is the preferred material in high voltage conditions due to its high melting point and resistance. The contacts of the reed switch can also be coated with other materials like electroplating and vacuum deposition.

Generating Magnetic Field

A reed relay operates with the help of the magnetic field created which closes the reed switch contacts. In reed relays the magnetic field is built with the help of the coil. The current is passed in between the coil. The axial magnetic field is generated by the coil which closes the reed contacts.

Different levels of the magnetic field should be generated to close the contacts of various types of reed switches.
The above is the basic overview of reed relay and its working.

Read More : Things To Know About Thermal Overload Relays

The term ‘Relay’ in the field of electrical or electronic engineering is known to be a device used to activate a specific circuit. Also, the term applies for transmitting signals from one place to another in the field of communication engineering. In this short article, we indent to discuss about Reed Relay, which one of the types of relays used in the electrical or electrical circuits. To further reading about these reed relays readers can use the World Wide Web and get benefitted. A reed relay contains a coil, a reed switch and in few cases diode which are encapsulated into a small or bog box with its connection terminals.

Some Technical Facts About Reed Relays 

As a device, a reed relay has a low resistance metallic part which is connected in the circuit to offer isolation as well as to connect the circuit in accordance to the application for which it is being used. To put it simply, a reed relay is an activated switch either to make on or off the current path of any given circuit. In general, the reed relays are categorized as open or closed type device used in a circuit to do some specific functions as per the design and application of the device as a whole.

Reed relays are widely used in many electronic or electrical products ranging from normal voltage stabilizers used in our home, to complex devices used in aero space devices. In short, a reed relay is noting but an automatic switch which is activated only one specific condition like voltage or current fluctuations of any equipment. High capacity reed relays are used in many electrical applications which are used in power station, power distribution centers and so on.

Reed relays are designed and used in a closed environment in order to avoid any air contamination that can hamper the function of switching inside the relay encapsulated container. These relays come in various sizes and used according to many factors like power rating, thermal rating and so on. All the refrigerators use this device in order to make the unit to switch on or off in accordance with the inside temperature. Many of us should be familiar with the sound produced by our home air-conditioners or refrigerators, and this sound is produced by these relays inside the circuit.

The automatic switching of reed relays happens when the coil used near the relay gets energized and activate the needed switching. This action takes place in the coil through magnetic reflux which controls the reed relay terminals which are nothing buy copper terminals which act as a switch. Here the coil plays a key role in making the contacts in the reed relay terminals. Since a mechanical contact is established in all types of relays, these devices are also called as electro-mechanical device by the designers.

In the recent times, these reed relays come in many forms according to their application. Solid state relays are also available in the market which noting buy an electronic switch where there is no coil or reed are used. These circuits are used in many products, and it will not make any noise while switching, unlike the reed relays.

Read Also : Electromagnetic Relay – Its Working And Types