Pickering Electronics is upgrading its high-voltage relay portfolio by implementing partial discharge (PD) testing across its Series 600 and Series 620 ranges. Designed to catch sub-surface insulation flaws before they cause field failures, the testing methodology addresses a major limitation in traditional high-voltage validation.
While standard voltage-withstand testing proves whether insulation can survive peak voltage without outright electrical breakdown, it often misses microscopic air gaps or internal voids trapped inside the material.
Under continuous high-voltage stress, gas within these voids can ionize and trigger partial discharges, steadily degrading the insulation over time until the relay breaks down.
To tackle this, Pickering recently partnered with a major automated test equipment (ATE) manufacturer to engineer a customized Series 620 high-voltage reed relay with elevated electrical isolation.
The high-voltage relay’s updated component incorporates a segmented internal structure paired with specialized potting and resin encapsulation techniques to eliminate internal voids. Engineering teams then used PD testing to verify the insulation’s long-term integrity under sustained high-voltage stress.
Building on that development, Pickering is rolling out PD evaluation across its broader high-voltage lineup, targeting applications across semiconductor ATE, medical hardware, grid energy storage, renewables, and industrial control systems:
- Series 600: Recognized as one of the industry’s most customizable high-voltage reed relay lines, supporting switching voltages up to 12.5 kV, power ratings up to 200 W, and stand-off voltages reaching 20 kV.
- Series 620: Complements the Series 600 by offering tailored form factors and custom isolation designs for specialized high-voltage test systems.
Pickering’s engineering and technical teams are demonstrating these latest high-voltage developments and displaying their full reed relay portfolio live at electronica 2026 in Munich (Hall A4, Stand 242).
Leadership Comments
“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.
Visitors to electronica 2026, taking place in Munich from 10–13 November, can find Pickering Electronics at stand A4.242 to discuss these developments and their specific relay requirements.
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