Posted to News on 5th Mar 2025, 14:00
Pickering establishes high voltage switching Centre of Excellence
In 2025, Pickering Electronics is celebrating 55 years of industry expertise, leadership and innovation in high voltage reed relay technology. And the company is establishing a Centre of Excellence for high voltage switching.
Introduced in 1970, the company's first high voltage reed relays, its Series 60 and 65, are still a popular choice due to their ease-of-use and reliability. Available for up to 15kV stand-off and 12.5kV switching at 50 Watts maximum, tungsten plated contacts ensure extended durability.
Since then, the company has developed a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance reed relays designed for a diverse range of high voltage applications, including mixed-signal semiconductor testers, high-end cable testers, backplane testers, medical electronics, electric vehicles, solar energy systems, in-circuit test equipment, and high voltage instrumentation.
Keith Moore, CEO of Pickering Group said: "Pickering has been an innovator in high voltage switching and reed relays for more than half a century, developing an industry-leading portfolio of products and deep engineering expertise across design, manufacturing and test.
"To recognise this value offering and ensure we continue to serve customers in the best way possible, we are establishing a Centre of Excellence for high voltage switching. This cross-functional team will look to consolidate, leverage, share and expand the knowledge and subject matter expertise we have accumulated in high voltage switching - and put it to work for the benefit of Pickering customers."
Pickering's development of high voltage reed relays has been driven by customer requirements, innovative leadership in design, and manufacturing excellence. "The number and range of high voltage switching applications has grown enormously over the last decade - and they all have demanding requirements," notes Kevin Mallett, Technical Specialist at Pickering Electronics. "For instance, the relays need large clearances between component parts (including the contacts in the reed switch) to minimise the chance of arcing, as well as contact materials that can resist the erosion that occurs when switching the signals.
"Pickering's 55-year heritage in designing and manufacturing HV reed relays means we can match the diversity of application requirements with our broad portfolio of high performance, high quality HV relays. And with our Centre of Excellence for high voltage switching, we intend to both support current customer requirements and continue to innovate through new products."
