This section provides an overview for reed switches as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 26 reed switch manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked reed switch companies as of June, 2023: 1.AEI, 2.Clippard, 3.Magnelink, Inc..
Table of Contents
A reed switch is a switch with two magnetizable reeds in a glass tube that turns electrical contacts on and off.
When open, a typical reed switch opens with a small gap between the reed contact edges; when an external magnetic field (e.g., a magnet) is applied to the two reed contact edges, the reed contact edges attract each other and close, closing the circuit.
Reed switches are used in the following applications:
Reed switches are turned on and off by magnets, so they can be used for non-contact detection. Reed switches are mainly used for non-contact detection of equipment status.
The components of a reed switch include a glass tube, a reed strip, a magnet, and a contact.
Since the contacts are not contaminated, reed switches have very low contact resistance. The contacts are mainly made of metal and have a short operating distance, giving them an open/close life of up to several hundred million cycles.
Reed switches are components with moving parts. Therefore, there is no possibility of failure. The main possible failures include contact failure, contact sticking, and unexpected malfunction.
Contact Failure
Factors that can cause contact failure include deterioration of the magnet over time and carbonization due to chemical changes on the contact surfaces. Since carbonization of the contact surface is unlikely to occur in a nitrogen atmosphere, the glass capillary may be cracked.
Contact Sticking
Contacts may stick due to deterioration of the spring or welding of the contacts due to overcurrent. Deterioration of the spring is mainly due to aging, while welding of the contacts may be caused by an abnormality on the electric circuit side, so caution is required.
Unexpected Malfunction
Unexpected malfunctions may be caused by a random combination of the above two causes. In this case, it is very difficult to identify the cause.
Reed switches are components that are relatively unlikely to fail. To deal with failures, it is essential to design circuits with redundancy and prevent malfunctions. In addition, since reed switches are inexpensive, they are sometimes designed from the beginning on the assumption that they will be replaced at regular intervals.
Reed switches sense the proximity of a magnet. However, because the operating range over which the switch operates is not uniform, there is a risk of chattering. Equipment design must take chattering into consideration.
On the other hand, the distance between the contacts of reed switches is very small and the contact pressure is very slight. Because they are precision components, they must be used strictly within their rated current values. In addition, even when used within the rated current value, care should be taken not to apply strong shocks.
In addition, using reed switches under a strong magnetic field may cause malfunctions. In such an environment, a magnetic shield should be provided to block external magnetic forces.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Accele Electronics, Inc. is based in Santa Fe Springs, California. Accele has a 30 year history as a manufacturer and distributor of automotive technology solutions, also offering services such as, installation and support throughout its 30+ year history. Example products include LCD monitors, headrest monitors, mirror monitors, drive and park sensors, video recording and camera kits and accessories, A/V switchers, RV camera systems, cables, lighting, HUD, security systems, fuses and circuits, relays, bus and coach amenities, as well as comfort and convenience items.
Controls Warehouse is based in Ocala, Florida, and has operated since the early 1990s. Controls Warehouse is a master distributor of flow meters and related products. Product applications include acids, alcohol, solvents, air, steam, compressed gas, natural gas, cold/hot water, irrigation, wastewater, oil, fuel, petroleum, liquid propane, paint, latex, and molasses. Controls Warehouse product lines include batch/flow, timer/counter/rate, force meters, insertion meters, magnetic flowmeters, multi-jet flowmeters, positive displacement meters, turbine meters, ultrasonic flowmeters, and variable area flowmeters.
GTek Automation was founded in 1997 as Pacific Engineering and is headquartered in Lake Forest, California. GTek Automation is a technology-based distributor of pneumatic components, leak test and measurements systems. In addition to product distribution, GTek Automation offers product assembly and kitting services to assist our customers reduce the overall cost of component and system acquisition. GTek Automation specializes in the complete integration of the pressure or vacuum source, and all of the auxiliary pneumatic components.
MagneLink, Inc. was incorporated in 1990 and is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon. The company is a manufacturer of magnetic switches and related products for customers in the automotive, industrial, medical, aerospace, and transportation industries. The company’s four product lines are Magnetic Switches, Defeat-Resistant (Coded) Magnetic Switches, Magnets, and Accessories. Standard switches are used in robotics, automated product handling, and other uses. Defeat-Resistant Switches use solid-state technology providing extra protection. Accessories include various connectors and adapters for switches.
Standex Electronics is a worldwide market leader in the design, development and manufacture of standard reed switch-based sensor solutions and custom electro-magnetic components, including magnetics products. Their company history dating back to 1969, Standex has provided their service to a high customer base globally for more than 50 years. The company has high-quality standards, work by the approach of "partner, solve, deliver", focus on a customer driven innovation and commitment to absolute customer satisfaction. Their diverse capabilities and dynamic solutions allow them the ability to achieve the highest quality levels of efficiency and productivity. Sustainability is a high focus of the Standex product line, with long-term sustainability improvements continuing to drive consistent technological growth. Green switching applications are a growing demand for their customers, and they ensure to deliver.
Linemaster Switch Corp. is a US-based company that specializes in designing and manufacturing foot switches and other electronic controls for use in various industries, including healthcare, industrial automation, and automotive. Established in 1952 and has since gained a renown for producing premium, durable, and dependable products. The company received several awards for its products, including the American Business Awards (Stevie Awards) for "Best New Product in Health and Pharmaceuticals", as well as recognition for its environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.
E-Motion Inc. is a distributor for electric automation based in Eugene, Orgeon. The company is a distributor of many electric automation parts, with additional offerings in pneumatic, modular aluminum framing, and instrumentation products. The company’s two primary segments are electric actuators and pneumatic automation. The electric actuator segment includes rack and pinion linear actuators, rod type electric actuators, rodless actuators, actuator controls, and lift kits. The pneumatic automation segment includes standard air cylinders, rodless cylinders, guided cylinders, and rotary actuators.
Founded in San Clemente, California in 1997, NetSource Technology, Inc. is an independent stocking distributor of electronic components and global procurement services, providing comprehensive supply chain solutions to OEMs and contract manufacturers worldwide. NetSource Technology serves the aerospace, automotive, IoT, medical, mobile device, and telecommunications industries and related companies. NetSource Technology specializes in locating hard-to-find, obsolete, end-of-life and highly allocated components with long lead times, supporting customers throughout the complete supply chain lifecycle.
Hybrid Electronics is a global distribution specialist of electronic components, with access to over 50 million unique components. Among the markets HE serves are the aerospace, automotive, communications, defense, industrial, medical, national security, and test & measurement industries. In addition to components, HE also provides quality and compliance testing, counterfeit detection, upscreening, and other forms of quality control. Examples of component subtypes that HE offers include ICs, batteries, capacitors, semiconductor products, sensors, circuit protection, interconnectors, filters, optoelectronics, relays, switches, power supplies, and cables and cable assemblies.
Pepperl+Fuchs, Inc. was founded in Mannheim, Germany in 1945 developing the forerunner of the proximity switch. Pepperl+Fuchs continues to develop proximity sensors as well as other industrial sensors including ultrasonic sensors, rotary encoders, positioning systems, display and signal processing, vibration monitoring, industrial communication, and signal processing as well as related accessories and software. Explosive protection products include safety barriers, surge protection, wireless solutions, HMI systems, power supplies, electrical explosion protection equipment, level measurement, and related software.
MOD-TRONIC Instruments Limited was established in 1972 in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. MTis a distributor of industrial sensors, transducers, heaters, controls, and instrumentation, primarily made in the USA as well as Japan, Switzerland, and Germany. MT’s customers are primarily in the aerospace, building automation, manufacturing, medical, military, oil and gas, and water treatment industries but also serves individuals. MT offers an above industry standard 5-year warranty and technical support on every product sold.
SWEETA was established in 1995 and is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. SWEETA is a manufacturer of switches, AC sockets, and circuit breakers globally. Most products have been certified to meet international safety standards such as UL, CSA, VDE, and others. SWEETA has an extensive product line. A few listings include AC sockets, plug adapters, switches, thermostats, and test tweezers.
Celduc Inc. through Celduc Transfo was founded in 1960 as a manufacturer of transformers. Celduc Inc. is based in, France. Celduc Inc. was officially created in 2020 and headquartered in Centerport, New York. Celduc creates electronics and customized products for industries including railway, plastic, packaging, medical, and electronics. Celduc’s main product lines include solid state relays, magnetic proximity sensors, reed relays & switches, and customized products. Customized products are versions of other products adapted for use in industries with special needs such as nuclear power, aircraft, and agriculture.
Ranking as of June 2023 in United States of America
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | AEI | 9.8% |
2 | Clippard | 9.8% |
3 | Magnelink, Inc. | 6.6% |
4 | Sprinter Marking, Inc. | 6.6% |
5 | Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. | 6.6% |
6 | GTek Automation | 6.6% |
7 | Hybrid Electronics | 4.9% |
8 | Aerospace Control Products, Inc. | 4.9% |
9 | Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited | 4.9% |
10 | Sweeta | 4.9% |
11 | PIC | 4.9% |
12 | Comus International | 3.3% |
13 | Linemaster Switch Corp. | 3.3% |
14 | Euroswitch | 3.3% |
15 | E-Motion, Inc. | 3.3% |
16 | Anfield Sensors Inc. | 3.3% |
17 | Controls Warehouse | 3.3% |
18 | Celduc Inc. | 3.3% |
19 | Cosmo Electronics | 1.6% |
20 | NetSource Technology, Inc. | 1.6% |
21 | Coto Technology | 1.6% |
22 | RSCROUP | 1.6% |
Ranking as of June 2023 Globally
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | AEI | 14.8% |
2 | Clippard | 8.7% |
3 | Aerospace Control Products, Inc. | 7% |
4 | Pepperl+Fuchs Inc. | 6.1% |
5 | RSCROUP | 5.2% |
6 | Sprinter Marking, Inc. | 5.2% |
7 | Magnelink, Inc. | 5.2% |
8 | GTek Automation | 4.3% |
9 | Sweeta | 4.3% |
10 | Celduc Inc. | 4.3% |
11 | E-Motion, Inc. | 3.5% |
12 | NetSource Technology, Inc. | 3.5% |
13 | Anfield Sensors Inc. | 3.5% |
14 | PIC | 3.5% |
15 | DEETERELECTRONICS | 2.6% |
16 | Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited | 2.6% |
17 | Controls Warehouse | 2.6% |
18 | Hybrid Electronics | 2.6% |
19 | Littelfuse | 1.7% |
20 | Comus International | 1.7% |
21 | Linemaster Switch Corp. | 1.7% |
22 | Cosmo Electronics | 1.7% |
23 | Euroswitch | 1.7% |
24 | Coto Technology | 0.9% |
25 | Standex-Meder Electronics | 0.9% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the reed switch page as of June 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
71 products are listed.
About STANDEX Customer-focused engineering solutions for over 50 years
Reed switches require either a permanent magnet or a magnetic field to activate the switch. Therefore, magnetic