Mercury switches: Difference between revisions

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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.  Mercury switches have limited life.   
arcing of the contacts.  Mercury switches have limited life.   
 
In pulse generators, the coil of the relay is typically driven by a  
In pulse generators, the coil of the relay is typically driven by a multivibrator or other periodic current source.  
multivibrator or other periodic current source.  
Turning off the coil drive waveform when the pulse generator is not in use is recommended.
Turning off the coil drive waveform when the pulse generator is not in use
is recommended.


Tektronix products using mercury switches are:
Tektronix products using mercury switches are:

Revision as of 12:00, 26 March 2017

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. 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)