What are reed relays?

Reed relays are types of relays using an electromagnetic to control one or more reed switches. 

Reed switches are generally small in size, hermeneutically sealed, as well as high in isolation resistance and life expectancy. These components have been manufactured since the 1930s.

Composition of reed relays 

Reed relays are composed of a reed switch, a coil, an optional diode, a package and method for connecting the read switch and coil to outside the package.

Typically, a reed relay consists of two reed contacts, made from nickel-iron and plated with materials that safeguard component service life. The most common materials used in the reed contact include rhodium, ruthenium and sometimes iridium.

Benefits of reed relays

Aside from requiring less operating power and lower contact capacitance, reed relays also offer higher levels of reliability compared to other relays due to their simple design and few moving parts. Some other tangible benefits of reed relays include:

• Small in size (some fitted into SIL, DIL packages and smaller)
• Rapid switching speeds
• They provide complete isolation between switching current and the switched circuit