Pickering Electronics is evaluating partial discharge (PD) testing to push the reliability of its high-voltage reed relays, kicking off the initiative with its Series 600 and Series 620 product lines. Engineers attending electronica 2026 in Munich from 10–13 November can meet Pickering’s technical team at stand A4.242 to examine these advancements and discuss custom relay requirements.
While standard high-voltage withstand tests verify that insulation survives a peak voltage without immediate breakdown, they often miss microscopic air gaps or voids trapped inside the material. Under continuous high-voltage stress, gas inside those tiny pockets can ionise and trigger partial discharges—gradually eroding the insulation until the relay fails.
Pickering recently put PD testing into practice while partnering with a major automated test equipment (ATE) manufacturer on a customized Series 620 relay requiring higher electrical isolation.
To eliminate internal air pockets and boost isolation, Pickering engineers built a segmented internal structure paired with upgraded potting and resin encapsulation, using PD testing to confirm the insulation’s long-term integrity for demanding high-voltage ATE environments.
Built for critical sectors like semiconductor manufacturing, medical devices, energy storage, renewables, and industrial automation, the Series 600 handles switching voltages up to 12.5 kV, stand-off voltages up to 20 kV, and switching power up to 200 W. Alongside it, the Series 620 gives engineers added layout flexibility for specialized high-voltage designs.
Leadership Comment
“Partial discharge testing allows us to detect this activity before complete electrical breakdown occurs, providing valuable insight into potential insulation weaknesses that conventional testing might miss,” explains Robert King, Reed Relay Product Manager at Pickering Electronics. “This helps us better understand and optimise the long-term reliability of our high-voltage reed relays.”
“This project highlights the flexibility of Pickering’s Series 620 platform and our ability to work closely with customers to develop tailored switching solutions for demanding high-voltage applications,” adds King.
