A low-signal relay comes in a surface-mount package that measures 15 mm long, 7.5 mm wide, and 9.4 mm high. The dpdt relay, designated the G6S, is rated for 0.5A at 125V ac and 2A at 30V dc. Power consumption is 140 mW. The UL- and CSA-certified device withstands surges as high as 2.5 kV and costs $2.42 (1000). Omron Control Components Division, Schaumburg, IL. (708) 843-7900.
 | For applications that cannot tolerate any pretravel movement differential, the VL-T series of capacitance touch-limit switches offers a response time of 10 µsec over a switching range of up to 150 mA and 24V. The switches come in a rugged die-cast body with a glass-fiber-reinforced cover. Insulation resistance is 100V minimum at 500V dc, shock resistance is 10g maximum, and vibration resistance is 2g maximum. Switches operate over a temperature range of -20 to +60°C and cost <$60 in OEM quantities. Aromat Corp, New Providence, NJ. (908) 464-3550. |
The 3130 series of rocker switches/circuit breakers comes in single-, two-, and three-pole configurations and offers trip-free overcurrent protection for systems rated to 16A. The product combines a switch and circuit breaker in a single unit that snaps into a panel cutout of approximately 0.57×1.34 in. Rockers are available in red, white, black, or green. Illuminated models are available with white incandescent bulbs or green, red, or yellow LEDs for the two- and three-pole models. Safety approvals include UL, CSA, VDE, and EN 60934. Prices start at $6 in OEM quantities. ETA Circuit Breakers, Mount Prospect, IL. (708) 827-7600.
The T77 series of pc-board relays offers 10A contacts in a spst, normally open configuration. The relays measure 0.72×0.39×0.57 in. high (18.2×10×14.7 mm). The UL-recognized and CSA-certified devices offer either silver (3A) or silver-alloy (10A) contacts. Standard coils are available for 3V- to 24V-dc operation. The nominal coil power is 200 mW for silver contacts and 450 mW for silver-alloy contacts. The expected electrical life at rated load is 100,000 operations, and the mechanical life expectancy is 10 million operations. $1.35 (units). Siemens Electromechanical Components Inc, Princeton, IN. (812) 386-2316.
By combining a sealed Hall-effect IC with a 295° linear-taper potentiometer, the SW43655 lets you set a value so that, at the push of a button, the circuit automatically opens at the preset level. The nonlighted momentary switch requires <1 in. of space behind the panel and costs $32.50 (100). Electro-Mech Components Inc, South El Monte, CA. (818) 442-7180.
A line of electromechanical relays offers a wide choice of contact ratings and mechanical configurations. The devices, which are typically smaller than comparable relays, have contact-current ratings ranging from 1.25 to 40A. Mounting options include pc board, combination pc board with terminals, panel mount with terminals, and a plug-in automotive relay with or without a bracket. Prices start at $0.44 (100,000). GEM Electronics Inc, East Greenwich, RI. (401) 885-8454.
The SWPDC series of solid-state time-delay relays lets you choose from 20 overlapping timing ranges, from 0.25 sec to 160 hours. The devices are rated for 10A at 240V ac (resistive). The delay-on-operate relays have CMOS digital circuitry, along with an adjustable potentiometer and a five-position binary-coded DIP switch. Standard input voltages include 12V ac or dc, 24V ac or dc, 48V dc, and 110 to 120V ac or dc. Relays in the series cost $37.53 (500). Amperite Co, Union City, NJ. (800) 752-2329.
The B7073 magnetic latching solenoid operates on 6V dc from four AA battery cells or from another dc power source. An enhanced magnet and return spring deliver more than 250,000 operations from a set of four AA cells. Typical power requirements are 0.08 Wsec for operation and 0.06 Wsec for reset. The pc-board-mounted solenoid measures 1.3×0.4×0.46 in. and costs $3 (OEM). Bicron Electronics Co, Canaan, CT. (860) 824-5125.
 | Designed for vertical-pc-board insertion with a 30° index angle, the C2 and C3 series of rotary switches provides multiposition switching with a minimum footprint. The eight-position C2 and 12-position C3 series devices have a current-carrying capability of 6A and a resistive-load rating of 0.1A at 125V ac and 0.25A at 28V dc. Prices start at $4 (10,000). Electroswitch, Raleigh, NC. (919) 833-0707. |
With a contact resistance of 100 m(ohm) in ac mode and 40 m(ohm) in dc mode, the PVN012 series of microelectronic photovoltaic relays provides a lower on-resistance than reed or miniature electromechanical relays. The single-pole, normally open relays have an output capacity of 2.5 to 4.5A and an input drive of 5 mA. The devices come in six-pin plastic DIPs with through-hole or gull-wing terminations and cost $2.30 (25,000). International Rectifier Corp, El Segundo, CA. (310) 322-3331.
The S series of circuit breakers incorporates a solenoid that lets you reset the breaker from a remote location. You can reset the breaker by telephone, radio, or computer communications. The circuit breaker is a single-pole thermal type with standard current ratings of 5, 10, 15, or 20A and maximum operating voltages of 50V dc or 250V ac. The solenoid section operates from 24V ac or 120V ac. You can also select operation from 6, 12, or 24V dc. Breakers cost $49.95. Performance Technological Products, Roswell, GA. (770) 475-3192.
The type CDR66 relay switches come in a subminiature package with 8-mm contact-to-coil spacing and are sealed up to 16A at 240V ac. The UL- and CSA-rated part comes in one- and two-pole configurations with coil voltages of 3, 5, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 48V dc. Typical prices range from $0.89 to $1.23 (10,000). Cornell Dubilier Electronics, New Bedford, MA. (508) 996-8564.