Magnetic sensors indirectly measure properties such as direction, position, rotation, angle and current by detecting the magnetic field and its changes. The first application of permanent magnet was a 3rd century BC Chinese compass, which is a direction sensor. Compared to other direct methods such as optical or mechanical sensor, most magnetic sensors require some signal processing to get the property of interest. However they provide reliable data without physical contact even in adverse conditions such as dirt, vibration, moisture, hazardous gas and oil, etc.

With the rapid development of GMR in the past decade, a new family of magnetic sensors has emerged - magnetoresistive sensors. Similar to Hall effect sensors, the major difference is that MR sensors detect current change instead of voltage. Permanent magnets can also be used in MEM sensor and CMOS magnetic sensor arrays to supply the magnetic field.

Dexter offers a variety of permanent magnet materials to suit your applications. Material selection depends on the field requirement, temperature, environment and cost. Please contact Dexter for assistance if you have special requirements on the sensor magnet.

Reed switches consist of two or three ferromagnetic blades (or reeds) hermetically sealed inside a glass envelope.
The construction ensures protection from the external environment. Two types are generally available : Form A
(normally open) and Form C (changeover). Sensitivity of a reed switch is measured in ampere turns and it should be
noted that lower switch ratings are more sensitive as they require less magnetic field strength to operate them.
Various voltage and current switching levels are available and contact plating materials can be varied to accommodate
specific types of load.

Operation
Reed switches are operated by a magnetic field, this may be a magnet or a current carrying coil. When the field is removed
the switch reverts to its previous state.
Operating by magnet can be achieved in a large variety of ways either moving the magnet toward an away form the reed
either perpendicularly of parallel to the glass.
Reed switches are used in a variety of Assmetech products including proximity switches, float switches and Reed relays.
They are also available in moulded packages affording protection from damage and surface mount styles.

Contact Protection
Inductive loads
A reverse voltage is generated by store energy in an inductive load when reed contact open. This voltage can reach very
high levels and is capable of damaging the contacts. An RC network may be used as shown below to give protection.
Capacitive loads
Unlike inductive loads , capacitive and lamp loads are prone to high inrush currents, which can lead to faulty operation and
even contact welding.
When switching charged capacitors sudden unloading can occur, the intensity of which is determined by the capacity and
length of the connecting leads to the switch. The inrush peak can be reduced by a series of resistors. The value is dependent on
the particular application but should be as high as possible to ensue the inrush current in within the allowable limits.
Lamp Loads
With lamp load applications it is important to note that cold lamp filaments have a resistance 10 times smaller than already glowing
filaments. This means that when being turned-on, the lamp filament experiences a current flow 10 times greater than when already
glowing. This high inrush current can be reduced to an acceptable level through the use of a series of current limiting resistors.
Another possibility is the parallel switching of a resistor across the switch. This allow just enough current to flow to the filament to
keep it warm, yet not enough to make it glow.

Cutting and Bending
As the reed Switch blades are part of the magnetic circuit of a Rees Switch shortening the leads results in increased pull-in and
drop-out values
When cutting or bending Reed Switches , it is important that the glass body should not be damaged. Therefore, the cutting or
bending point should be closer then 3 mm to the glass body.

• Applications
• Reed Relays
• Key Switch
• Float Switch
• Security Systems
• Consumer Electronic Equipment
• Proximity Switch
• Automatic Measuring Instruments

Two-reed devices have normally open contacts which close when actuated. Three-reed versions have a pair of normally open and normally closed contacts. Operation of the switch causes these parts to change to the opposite state. An applied field makes the reeds magnetic so their ends attract. Removal of the field lets the springy metal reeds return to their original positions.

The movement of the magnet relative to the reed switch determines how the switch toggles. Moving the magnet perpendicular to the side of the switch causes one switch closure per pass. Moving the magnet parallel to the switch provides as many as three closures with the maximum magnet travel. Another option is to spin the magnet near the switch. When the pole axis and the switch axis are parallel, the switch closes. When the axes are perpendicular, the switch opens. There are two or more closures with each revolution depending on the number of poles.

Another typical scenario for a reed switch employed in position sensing is to either move the magnet near the switch or slide ferrous metal between the switch and the magnet, thereby toggling the contacts. Alternatively, the reed can be biased closed with one magnet sitting just inside the actuation distance. A second magnet can then open the switch by canceling the field of the first.

Typical commercial-grade reed switches handle currents in the milliamp range on up to about 1 A of either dc or ac current. However, special designs can get to around 10 A or more by incorporating separate magnetic and contact units, thereby allowing optimization of the contact area.

Reed switches frequently get incorporated into sensors and into relays. One of their advantages is a built-in hysteresis with regard to magnet position. For example, a magnet coming within range forces the switch contacts closed. They will stay closed as the magnet draws nearer and will remain closed until the magnet is out of range.

One important quality of the switch is its sensitivity, the amount of magnetic energy necessary to actuate it. Sensitivity is measured in units of Ampere-turns, corresponding to the current in a coil multiplied by the number of turns. Typical pull-in sensitivities for commercial devices are in the 10 to 60 AT range.

Reed devices can be obtained bare or packaged in plastic and aluminum housings ready to install. Typical applications are in proximity sensing, liquid level sensing, security systems, blood processing machines, baby incubators, IV drips, and in current-sensing relays. A point to note is that reed switches have a resonant frequency that relates to the length of the reeds. Typical resonances are in the range of 2 to 3 kHz but can depend on a variety of factors.