Relay configurations are not just numbers that you need to take that seriously on a datasheet. If a relay is run beyond its limits, its life may be shortened and the unit may fail and even the UUT (Unit under test) might be impaired. Let us look at certain common relay requirements and their effect on the switching systems. With this in mind.
Life Expectancy
Time Relays has rounded edges and the process induces wear and pressure, which ultimately leads to relay malfunction. The defined expectancy provides guidance on when relays are technically accessible. This standard generally represents the number of times a relay will work in no-load or light load situations when contact wear, relay voltage and pressures on the electronic components are simply a consequence of physical activation.
There have been two forms of technical relays: reed relays and EMRs. In fact, the maximum functional life for instrumental reed relays is as the relay has few moveable parts. Instead of being moved to the pivot point, the reed relay blade curves and the contact is in an airtight glass case, which ensures that it is not so vulnerable to pollutants or structural faults.
EMRs appear to have a shorter operational life than reed relays but are more efficient.
Maximum Switching Volts
The peak voltage of a relay switching is a fixed voltage that can be opened or closed over the contacts. The operation of a high voltage relay may lead to arcing, eroding contacts and eventually degrading contact quality. See our article on the knowledge base, Hot Switching Relays for more information on this subject. Voltage ratings can be limited in a switching system by factors such as length on the PCB's tracks or the connectors. For Pickering we use the tension rating of the relays on the board to assess the minimum acceptable space among the circuit board traces.
The disparity between these two voltages must be considered when both positive and negative voltages are present. For example, if your switching system switches connectors in three phases, the voltage along a relay is higher than each phase's specific frequencies.
Unless otherwise stated, voltage specifications apply to the voltage differential for switching systems of Pickering Interfaces. For example, if you rank a switch module 150V, then it can be used for switching signals in the range 0 to 150V, -150V to 0V, or -75V to +75V.
It is important to remember that, as relay requirements are usually calculated with resistive loads, the total voltage of a switching system could be less then the maximum voltage of the relays. Because Switching Systems have certain capability levels, the total voltage system configuration can be lower than the relay specification because the capacitance between packing traces is the largest contributor in this regard.Time Relays
