Enhanced High-Voltage Relays Boost Durability, Dependability, and Security Standards
A recent video interview by James Morra, senior editor at Electronic Design, offers valuable insights into the future of high-voltage reed relay solutions. In the interview, Robert King, product development manager at Pickering Electronics, shares his expertise on this topic.
The demand for safe, compact, and reliable high-voltage relays is on the rise, particularly in electric vehicles (EVs) and test and measurement equipment. To meet these demands, recent technical advancements in high-voltage reed relay technology have focused on improving ruggedness, reliability, compactness, and safety.
Key developments include the use of advanced insulation materials and vacuum-sealed switches, which enhance voltage isolation and durability under harsh conditions, preventing arcing and insulation breakdown. High-purity contact metals are also being utilised to reduce wear and contact resistance, boosting performance and lifetime in high-voltage applications.
Compact, high-density coil designs have been introduced, with coils now being wound directly onto glass frames or metal rods, enabling more windings in smaller packages and lowering coil current and overall relay size. Metal shielding between relays prevents electromagnetic interference between closely packed relays, maintaining efficiency and driving reliability as relays are densely integrated.
Precision manufacturing techniques inspired by microscale methods have allowed for ultra-precise, compact coil construction, and extensive 100% testing ensures reliability at production, critical for high-voltage safety standards. These improvements support increasingly high voltage architectures (e.g., 1500 V to 20 kV range) and address design challenges requiring safety, miniaturization, and long operational life, especially in the EV and test & measurement sectors.
Manufacturers like Pickering Electronics are leading in customising these technologies to specific high-performance system requirements. Pickering has collaborated with customers in sectors like mining, EV relay applications, and renewable energy to develop tailored solutions.
Robert King, interviewed by James Morra, offers expert perspectives on the future of high-voltage relay solutions, particularly in industries pushing for higher voltage architectures. The video provides practical and forward-looking insights into high-voltage switching design challenges and the latest relay innovations.
Engineers must consider isolation voltage ratings when selecting electronic switching solutions, and this video offers insights into how Pickering Electronics is addressing the increasing demand for safe, compact, and reliable high-voltage relays. Watching the full conversation can help better understand how Pickering Electronics is leading the way in developing solutions for the evolving needs in high-voltage relay technology and creating compact, high-performance systems.
[1] Insight into the Future of High-Voltage Reed Relays [2] The Evolution of High-Voltage Reed Relays
- The future of high-voltage reed relay solutions is expected to see continued advancements in technology, with a focus on ruggedness, reliability, compactness, and safety, as key developments in high-voltage reed relay technology address design challenges in industries pushing for higher voltage architectures.
- The evolution of high-voltage reed relays involves ongoing technological improvements, such as the use of advanced insulation materials, vacuum-sealed switches, high-purity contact metals, compact coil designs, metal shielding, precision manufacturing techniques, and extensive testing, all aimed at enhancing the safety, reliability, and compactness of high-voltage relays in sectors like electric vehicles and test & measurement equipment.
