Mercury switches: Difference between revisions
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The switches are electromagnetic relays with mercury-wetted contacts inside glass envelopes that contain pressurized gas. | The switches are electromagnetic relays with mercury-wetted contacts inside glass envelopes that contain pressurized gas. | ||
The gas prevents arcing of the contacts. | The gas prevents arcing of the contacts. In some models, a physically adjustable bias magnet (permanent) is used to "bias" the reed switch in its normally closed position. | ||
Mercury switches have limited life. | |||
In pulse generators, the coil of the relay is typically driven by a multivibrator or other periodic current source. | In pulse generators, the coil of the relay is typically driven by a multivibrator or other periodic current source. | ||
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Tektronix products using mercury switches are: | Tektronix products using mercury switches are: | ||
* [[108]] (part# 260-194) | * [[108]] (part# 260-194) | ||
* [[109]], [[84|84 / 067-0523-00]] (part# 260-0282-02) | * [[109]], [[84|84 / 067-0523-00]] (part# 260-0282-02) | ||
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* [[S]] (part# 260-308) | * [[S]] (part# 260-308) | ||
==Pictures== | |||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:Tek 108 mercury switch.png|108 Mercury switch | Image:Tek 108 mercury switch.png|108 Mercury switch | ||
Tek_260-0282-02_1.jpeg | 260-0282-02 From type [[84]] | |||
Tek_260-0282-02_2.jpeg | 260-0282-02 From type [[84]] | |||
Tek_260-0282-02_3.jpeg | 260-0282-02 Disassembled - reed switch, bias magnet, driving coil & mounting hardware | |||
Tek_260-0282-02_4.jpeg | 260-0282-02 Mercury-wetted reed switch | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
[[Category:Repair issues]] | [[Category:Repair issues]] | ||
[[Category:Electromechanical components]] | [[Category:Electromechanical components]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:16, 2 January 2021
Mercury switches were used in several Tektronix products for generating pulses with clean edges.
The switches are electromagnetic relays with mercury-wetted contacts inside glass envelopes that contain pressurized gas. The gas prevents arcing of the contacts. In some models, a physically adjustable bias magnet (permanent) is used to "bias" the reed switch in its normally closed position. Mercury switches have limited life.
In pulse generators, the coil of the relay is typically driven by a multivibrator or other periodic current source. Turning off the coil drive waveform when the pulse generator is not in use is recommended.
Tektronix products using mercury switches are:
- 108 (part# 260-194)
- 109, 84 / 067-0523-00 (part# 260-0282-02)
- 110 (part# 260-334)
- P (part# 050-106 for sn up to 2396, 260-539 after)
- R (part# 260-250)
- S (part# 260-308)
