Aleph Reed Switch Application Notes

Lead Forming (cutting and bending)

• When cutting or bending external leads extreme caution should be exercised not to exert any undue stress that can result in damage or deterioration of the glass-to-metal seal. Proper clamping is necessary (see Fig. 1)
• Recommended distance, from end of glass capsule, for lead bending and cutting (dimension "1" on Fig. 1) are 3 mm minimum for miniature reed switches (glass length 9 to 20 mm) and 8 mm minimum for large reed switches (glass length of 30 mm and more).
• As a result of cutting external leads, Pull-In and Drop-Out AT (Ampere Turns) will increase. Take this into consideration during design (see Fig. 2). Similarly, bending of external leads will increase Ampere Turns

Figure 1	Figure 2

Mounting (soldering and welding)

• Figure 3

  Excessive high temperature and exposure time may cause damage of the glass-to-metal seal (crack, leakage, etc.). Quick and reliable soldering techniques (procedures) need to be applied.
  Recommended soldering conditions are : 280 to 300 deg. C for hand soldering, and 250 to 300 deg. C for wave soldering.
• When welding reed switch leads, the electromagnetic field generated by the welding current can operate the switch, that in turn may cause contact damage.
  Special precautions should be used during welding, regarding welding voltage, current and timing.
  Never weld both leads of reed switch at the same time.
• When mounting on a printed circuit board (pcb) attention should be given to pcb warpage and thermal expansion characteristics. Stress caused by these factors may also damage the glass-to-metal seal.
  When mounting a reed switch on a pcb, it is recommended to form the leads and provide adequate spacing between the pcb and the reed switch, or to drop the reed switch into an opening (cutout) in the pcb (see Fig. 3).

Shock and Vibration

• When a reed switch is dropped onto a hard surface (floor) from more than 30 cm height, electrical characteristics (Pull-In, Drop-Out, etc.) shall be altered.
  After a reed switch has been dropped and before use in the actual application, make sure that its characteristics are still within acceptable limits.
  The same is applicable after applying pulling or twisting stress forces to the reed switch.
• Do not use reed switches above their specified resonant frequencies.

Reed Switch Protection

• Inductive Loads:
  When using reed switches for inductive loads such as motors, relay coil, solenoids, etc., the contacts will be subjected to high induced voltages during opening of the contacts (load circuit).
  Such high induced voltages (transients) may cause damage to the reed switch or significantly reduce its life.
  Therefore, protective circuits such as : RC (snubber), varistors or clamping diodes, are recommended (see Fig. 4).
• Capacitive Loads:
  When using reed switches for capacitive loads such as capacitors, incandescent lamps or long cables (harnesses), the contacts will be subjected to high surge (inrush) current. Therefore, protective circuits such as : surge suppressors or current limiting resistors, are recommended (see Fig. 5).

Figure 4	Figure 5

External Magnetic Interference

• When reed switch and its actuating magnet or coil are located near sources of strong magnetic interference such as steel plates, transformers, etc., the reed switch operational characteristics will be altered and false operation is likely.
  Specific cases may be very different from one another, and therefore sources of possible interference (interaction) should be investigated in a given application.
• When using multiple reed switches in close proximity to one another, similar magnetic interference may cause changes of characteristics and false operation.
  If such interference is observed, the reed switches should be spaced more than 15 mm from one another.