---
title: What You Need to Know About Switching and Relay Reliability - Pickering Interfaces
description: Pickering Interfaces would like to help you understand switching and relay reliability to help you minimize potential relay failures in your automated test system.
---

 Learn more about switching & relay reliability to help you minimize potential relay failures in your automated test system.

| Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here. Signal switching is a very important part of a test system design. Whether it is sharing test resources across multiple test points, reconfiguring system resources or controlling input signals; a properly selected and implemented switching system assures accurate and fast testing.  Relays used in these switching systems could fail for a variety of reasons. If relay failures are being experienced, it may help to note the pattern of failure and the circumstances under which they occur - this may give valuable clues on how to fix the problem.  Below you will find some topics from our Support Knowledgebase to help you understand relay types, the causes of failure and replacement options. These resources could help you minimize any potential failure mechanisms in your relay. Relay Types, Characteristics and Specifications Reed relays are considered to be the most reliable mechanical relay solution for low power switching, they have few moving parts and an inherently long mechanical life. However, not all reed relays are constructed to the same standards. The resources below will discuss the types and choices of relays available. Choosing a Reliable Reed Relay Construction Understanding Relay Specifications General Purpose Switching Solid State Relays Electromechanical Relays (EMR's) Finding Relay Failures and Causes Relays can fail for a variety of reasons - some are accidents, some are caused by manufacturing defects and others are caused simply because mechanical relays have reached their end of life. Learn more about relay failures and the causes below: Hot Switching Life of Reed Relay Life Testing Relays Finding Relay Failures What Causes Relay to Fail?     Relay End of Life and Replacement Data sheets for switching quote the number of operations that a relay can perform,  but the definition of end of life is not a precise term and is open to different interpretations. Click below to learn how to determine relay end of life and replacement options. When has a Relay Failed in a Switching System? Reed Relay End of Life Replacing Relays Have questions on switching and relay reliability? Contact one of our switching experts by clicking below- Want More Information on Switching? Check out Pickering's Video and Webinar Library Pickering's library of videos and webinars help you to understand how our signal switching and simulation solutions can support you. Click on any of the video or webinars below to learn more -  Support Videos Migrating your Automatic Test Equipment from VXI to PXI Crosspoint Matrix Switching for Functional Test Product Videos BRIC PXI Switch Matrix (model 40-559) with New High-Density 4mm Reed Relay Ultra-High-Density Scalable LXI 1 Amp Switch Matrix Solution (model 65-2xx) Webinars Simulating the Real World – Using Programmable Resistors for Sensor Simulation in Test  Choosing the Right Platform for Switching: PXI, USB or LXI     Pickering Interfaces Inc.  \|  221 Chelmsford Street, Suite 6  \|  Chelmsford  \|  Massachusetts  \|  +1 781-897-1710 You received this email because you are subscribed to Marketing Information from Pickering Interfaces Inc.. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails |
| --- |