Pickering Electronics’ Miniature HV Reed Relay at the Heart of IC Test System for On Semiconductor
July 14, 2020 | Business WireEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Pickering Electronics, the reed relay company which has pioneered miniaturization and high performance for over 50 years, has announced that it has developed a miniature high voltage relay for use in a new test rig, designed by globally-renowned chip maker, 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.
Comments Keith Moore, Pickering’s CEO: “Because Pickering has all elements of relay design and manufacture in house we are able to respond quickly and effectively to custom requests such as this. In this instance, as so many previously, a special design leads to a new standard product, and so we now offer Series131 devices – industry’s smallest high voltage reed relays.”
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.
Pickering Electronics also manufactures various other miniature high voltage SIL/SIP reed relays. Series 119 types deliver a stand-off voltage performance of up to 3kV on a footprint of 15.1 x 3.7mm (1 Form A) and a profile of 6.6mm, while Series 104s offer the same high voltage performance but with a higher switching power of up to 25W and a higher coil resistance of up to 3000? in a package measuring 24.1 x 6.3 x 8.2mm (1 Form A).
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
TTCI Brings Hands-On Test Engineering and IPC Training Expertise to PCB Carolina 2025
10/31/2025 | The Test Connection Inc.The Test Connection Inc. (TTCI), a trusted provider of electronic test and manufacturing solutions, and The Training Connection LLC (TTC-LLC) will exhibit at PCB Carolina on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the McKimmon Center at NC State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Attendees can visit Table 4 to say hello to Bert Horner and Bill Graver, and learn more about their test engineering services and technical training programs.
GEN3 Systems to Showcase Advanced Reliability Test Solutions at productronica 2025 in Munich
10/29/2025 | Gen3 SystemsGEN3 a leader in innovative reliability test solutions, is excited to announce its participation at productronica 2025, the world’s premier trade fair for electronics development and production.
Unlocking the Promise of AI in Electronics Manufacturing
10/29/2025 | Shobhit Agrawal, Keysight TechnologiesThe electronics manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving as more complicated products are introduced in the production lines, which require technological advancements even in the production processes. The requirements for production that is efficient, product quality that is greater, and product life cycles that are shorter are more crucial than ever before. In the electronic device life cycle, from design to maintenance, test phases have a significant impact on the economy of the company. Test processes are closely linked to the production volume and impacted by the complexity of the product. For businesses to maintain their competitive edge, they need to adopt innovative solutions and redefine processes.
New Episode of Voices of the Industry Podcast Explores Breakthroughs in Test and Inspection
10/22/2025 | I-Connect007In this episode of Voices of the Industry, “Testing Innovation: Advances in Test, Inspection & Failure Analysis,” host Nolan Johnson speaks with Rob Boguski, president of Datest. Together, they explore the expanding world of circuit testing, inspection, and failure analysis, areas that are experiencing a surge in technological capability and sophistication. As Johnson and Boguski discuss, today’s test companies are performing analyses and precision methods that would have seemed impossible just a decade ago.
HT Global Circuits Adds Two atg Luther & Maelzer Flying Probe Test Systems
10/15/2025 | atg Luther & Maelzer GmbHAtg Luther & Maelzer GmbH, a leading supplier of electrical testing solutions for the PCB industry, and IEC USA, a distributor of consumables, equipment, and services in the North American PCB market, confirm the order for high-speed bare board testing technology.