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Mercury switches: Difference between revisions
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(New page: 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 envelo...) |
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Mercury switches were used in several Tektronix products | '''Mercury switches''' were used in several Tektronix products for generating pulses with clean edges. | ||
for generating pulses with clean edges. | |||
The switches are electromagnetic relays with mercury-wetted contacts | The switches are electromagnetic relays with mercury-wetted contacts inside glass envelopes that contain pressurized gas. | ||
inside glass envelopes that contain pressurized gas. The gas prevents | 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. | ||
arcing of the contacts. | 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. | ||
Turning off the coil drive waveform when the pulse generator is not in use | Turning off the coil drive waveform when the pulse generator is not in use is recommended. | ||
is recommended. | |||
Tektronix products using mercury switches are: | Tektronix products using mercury switches are: | ||
* [[109]] (part# 260-0282-02) | * [[108]] (part# 260-194) | ||
* [[109]], [[84|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) | * [[R]] (part# 260-250) | ||
* [[S]] (part# 260-308) | |||
==Pictures== | |||
<gallery> | |||
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> | |||
[[Category:Repair issues]] | |||
[[Category:Electromechanical components]] | |||