IEC 62246-1:2011

Reed switches - Part 1: Generic specification

IEC 62246-1:2011 applies to all types of reed switches including magnetically biased reed switches of assessed quality for use in general and industrial applications. It lists the tests and measurement procedures which may be selected for use in detail specifications for such reed switches. It also specifies the quality assessment procedures to be followed. This new edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous one:
- inclusion of the generic specifications for all types of reed switches, but mercury wetted reed switches have been removed from the scope due to their potential for environmental impact;
- inclusion of three fundamental conformity assessment procedures for quality assessment.

Contacts à lames souples - Partie 1: Spécification générique

La CEI 62246-1:2011 s'applique à tous les types de contacts à lames souples, y compris les contacts à lames souples polarisés magnétiquement ayant une qualité assurée pour être utilisés dans des applications générales et industrielles. Elle énumère les essais et les procédures de mesure qui peuvent être sélectionnés pour être utilisés dans des spécifications particulières relatives à de tels contacts à lames souples. Elle spécifie également les procédures d'évaluation de la qualité devant être suivies. La présente nouvelle édition comporte les modifications techniques significatives suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente:
- ajout de spécifications génériques pour tous les types de contacts à lames souples, mais les contacts à lames souples mouillés au mercure ont été retirés du domaine d'application en raison de leur potentiel d'impact sur l'environnement;
- ajout de trois procédures fondamentales d'évaluation de la conformité pour l'évaluation de la qualité.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 09-Feb-2011
• ICS: 29.120.70 - Relays
• Technical Committee: TC 94 - Electrical relays
• Drafting Committee: WG 6 - TC 94/WG 6
• Current Stage: DELPUB - Deleted Publication
• Start Date: 28-Jan-2015
• Completion Date: 26-Oct-2025

Relations

• Replaces: IEC 62246-2:2007 - Reed contact units - Part 2: Heavy-duty reed switches
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revises: IEC 62246-1:2002 - Reed contact units - Part 1: Generic specification
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023
• Revised: IEC 62246-1:2015 - Reed switches - Part 1: Generic specification
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 62246-1:2011 is an international standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) detailing the generic specifications for reed switches. This standard applies to all types of reed switches, including magnetically biased reed switches, which are widely used in both general and industrial applications. Notably, mercury wetted reed switches have been excluded from the scope of this edition due to environmental concerns. The document defines essential tests, measurement procedures, and quality assessment methodologies essential to ensure reed switch performance and reliability.

This edition introduces significant updates, such as:

• Inclusion of generic specifications covering all types of reed switches (except mercury wetted types).
• Introduction of three fundamental conformity assessment procedures for quality assurance.

IEC 62246-1:2011 acts as a foundational reference that helps manufacturers, designers, and quality engineers align their products with internationally recognized standards, facilitating market access and ensuring consistent quality.

Key Topics

The standard covers several critical aspects of reed switch specifications, including:

• Terms and Definitions: Clear definitions related to reed switch types, operating values, contact characteristics, and timing parameters.
• Rated Values: Specifications related to electrical ratings such as current, load, frequency, open-circuit voltage, operating cycles, climatic categories, and surge voltages.
• Marking: Requirements for identifiable and traceable product markings.
• Quality Assessment Procedures:
  • Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity
  • Second-party conformity assessments
  • Third-party certification
  • IECEE and IECQ schemes for consistent manufacturing quality
• Test and Measurement Procedures:
  • Visual inspections and dimensional checks
  • Functional and remanence tests
  • Contact resistance and dielectric tests
  • Insulation resistance and operating time measurements
  • Sticking, robustness of terminals, solderability
  • Climatic tests including damp heat, rapid temperature changes, salt mist exposure
  • Mechanical stress tests such as vibration, shock, and acceleration
  • Electrical endurance testing under various load conditions
• Environmental and Reliability Considerations: Ensuring reed switches meet operational demands under realistic environmental stresses.

By providing detailed procedures for these essential tests, the standard supports manufacturers in producing reliable, high-performance reed switches adhering to international quality benchmarks.

Applications

IEC 62246-1:2011 is relevant for a wide spectrum of industries and applications where reed switches play a crucial role, such as:

• Industrial Automation: Reed switches are critical components in control systems, sensors, and safety devices.
• Consumer Electronics: Used in proximity sensing, position detection, and user interface controls.
• Automotive Industry: Applied in safety systems, door position detection, and component monitoring.
• Medical Devices: Ensuring reliable switching in diagnostic and treatment equipment.
• Security Systems: Utilized in alarm activation and intrusion detection technologies.
• Home Appliances & HVAC: For device operation feedback, door sensors, and temperature control systems.

By adhering to IEC 62246-1, manufacturers ensure their reed switches deliver high reliability, environmental compliance, and long service life, which is vital for safety-critical and precise applications.

Related Standards

For comprehensive compliance and design optimization, the following standards and resources are closely related to IEC 62246-1:

• IEC 62246-2: Part 2, which may cover detail specifications and application guidance for reed switches.
• IEC 60068 Series: Environmental testing standards that support the climatic and mechanical testing procedures referenced.
• IECEE and IECQ Systems: Standards facilitating conformity assessments and quality control certifications.
• Electropedia (IEC Online Dictionary): A valuable resource for electrical and electronic terminology related to reed switches.
• International environmental standards related to hazardous substances for components, particularly addressing mercury restrictions.

Adopting these standards alongside IEC 62246-1 enables a harmonized approach to reed switch design, testing, and certification.

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Keywords: IEC 62246-1, reed switches, generic specification, reed switch testing, magnetically biased reed switch, quality assessment procedures, electrical endurance, climatic testing, industrial applications, IEC standards, compliance, conformity assessment.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 62246-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2011-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Reed switches –
Part 1: Generic specification
Contacts à lames souples –
Partie 1: Spécification générique

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IEC 62246-1 ®
Edition 2.0 2011-02
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
Reed switches –
Part 1: Generic specification
Contacts à lames souples –
Partie 1: Spécification générique

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX XC
ICS 29.120.70 ISBN 978-2-88912-358-2

– 2 – 62246-1  IEC:2011
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 7
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 10
3.1 Terms and definitions of reed switch types . 10
3.2 Terms and definitions of operating values . 11
3.3 Terms and definitions related to operating times (see Figure 2) . 13
3.4 Terms and definitions related to contacts . 16
4 Rated values . 18
4.1 General . 18
4.2 Frequency of operation . 19
4.3 Duty factor . 19
4.4 Open-circuit voltage across contacts . 19
4.5 Current rating . 19
4.6 Load ratings . 19
4.7 Number of operations . 19
4.8 Climatic category . 19
4.9 Environmental severities . 20
4.10 Surge voltage . 20
4.11 Classification . 21
4.12 Contact reliability . 21
5 Marking . 21
6 Quality assessment procedures . 22
6.1 General . 22
6.2 Supplier’s declaration of conformity . 22
6.3 Second-party conformity assessment . 22
6.4 Third-party certification. 22
6.5 IECEE scheme . 22
6.6 IECQ system . 22
6.6.1 General . 22
6.6.2 Primary stage of manufacture . 23
6.6.3 Structurally similar components . 23
6.6.4 Subcontracting . 23
6.6.5 Qualification approval procedures. 23
6.6.6 Quality conformance inspection requirements . 23
6.6.7 Delivery of units subjected to destructive tests or non-destructive
tests . 24
6.6.8 Delayed delivery . 24
6.6.9 Supplementary procedure for deliveries . 24
6.6.10 Unchecked parameters . 24
6.6.11 Release for delivery before the completion of Group B tests . 24
6.6.12 Screening procedures . 24
7 Test and measurement procedures . 24
7.1 General . 24
7.2 Alternative procedures . 24
7.3 Standard conditions for testing . 25

62246-1  IEC:2011 – 3 –
7.4 Visual inspection and check of dimensions . 25
7.4.1 Visual inspection . 25
7.4.2 Outline dimensions . 25
7.4.3 Mass . 25
7.4.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 25
7.5 Functional tests . 26
7.5.1 Procedures . 26
7.5.2 Requirements . 27
7.5.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 27
7.6 Remanence test (see Figure 3) . 27
7.6.1 Procedure . 27
7.6.2 Requirements . 28
7.6.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 28
7.7 Contact circuit resistance . 28
7.7.1 Procedure . 28
7.7.2 Requirements . 29
7.7.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 29
7.8 Dielectric test . 30
7.8.1 Procedures . 30
7.8.2 Requirements . 30
7.8.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 30
7.9 Insulation resistance . 30
7.9.1 Procedure . 30
7.9.2 Requirements . 31
7.9.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 31
7.10 Operating times (see Figures 2, 5 and 6) . 31
7.10.1 Procedure . 31
7.10.2 Requirements . 32
7.10.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 32
7.11 Contact sticking . 34
7.11.1 Thermal sticking . 34
7.11.2 Magnetostrictive sticking . 36
7.12 Robustness of terminals . 37
7.12.1 Procedure . 37
7.12.2 Requirements . 37
7.12.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 37
7.13 Soldering (solderability and resistance to soldering heat) . 37
7.13.1 Procedure . 37
7.13.2 Requirements . 37
7.13.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 37
7.14 Climatic sequence . 38
7.14.1 General . 38
7.14.2 Procedure . 38
7.14.3 Requirements . 38
7.14.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 38
7.15 Damp heat, steady state . 39
7.15.1 Procedure . 39
7.15.2 Requirements . 39
7.15.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 39

– 4 – 62246-1  IEC:2011
7.16 Rapid change of temperature . 39
7.16.1 Procedure . 39
7.16.2 Requirements . 39
7.16.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 39
7.17 Salt mist . 39
7.17.1 Procedure . 39
7.17.2 Requirements . 40
7.17.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 40
7.18 Vibration. 40
7.18.1 Vibration 1 – Functional . 40
7.18.2 Vibration 2 – Survival . 40
7.19 Shock . 41
7.19.1 Procedure . 41
7.19.2 Requirements . 41
7.19.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 42
7.20 Acceleration test – Functional test only . 42
7.20.1 Procedure . 42
7.20.2 Requirements . 42
7.20.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 42
7.21 Sealing . 42
7.21.1 Procedure . 42
7.21.2 Requirements . 42
7.21.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 43
7.22 Electrical endurance . 43
7.22.1 Types of electrical endurance test . 43
7.22.2 Standard electrical endurance tests . 43
7.22.3 General test arrangements . 43
7.22.4 Procedure . 44
7.22.5 Standard load conditions . 45
7.22.6 Requirements . 48
7.22.7 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 49
7.23 Mechanical endurance. 50
7.23.1 General test arrangements . 50
7.23.2 Procedure . 50
7.23.3 Requirements . 51
7.23.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 51
7.24 Maximum cycling frequency . 51
7.24.1 Procedure . 51
7.24.2 Requirements . 52
7.24.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 52
7.25 Surge withstand test . 52
7.25.1 Procedure . 52
7.25.2 Requirements . 52
7.25.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 53
7.26 Making and breaking capacities . 53
7.26.1 General test arrangements . 53
7.26.2 Procedure . 53
7.26.3 Requirements . 53
7.26.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 53

62246-1  IEC:2011 – 5 –
7.27 Conditional short-circuit current test . 56
7.27.1 General test arrangements . 56
7.27.2 Procedure . 56
7.27.3 Requirements . 57
7.27.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 57
7.28 Contact reliability test . 57
7.28.1 General . 57
7.28.2 Procedure . 57
7.28.3 Requirements . 58
7.28.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 58
7.29 Temperature rise . 59
7.29.1 Procedure . 59
7.29.2 Requirements . 59
7.29.3 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 60
7.30 Making current capacity test . 60
7.30.1 General . 60
7.30.2 Procedure . 60
7.30.3 Requirements . 60
7.30.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 60
7.31 Breaking current capacity test . 61
7.31.1 General . 61
7.31.2 Procedure . 61
7.31.3 Requirements . 61
7.31.4 Information to be stated in the detail specification . 62
Annex A (normative) Standard test coils for reed switches . 63
Annex B (normative) Test systems . 65
Annex C (informative) Electrical endurance test circuit . 67
Annex D (informative) Inrush current loads . 69
Annex E (informative) Conditional short-circuit current test circuit . 71
Annex F (informative) Electrical ratings based on classification . 72
Annex G (informative) Example of test arrangement for contact reliability test . 73
Annex H (informative) Example of test arrangement for making current capacity test . 74
Annex I (informative) Example of test arrangement for breaking current capacity test . 75
Bibliography . 76

Figure 1 – Functional characteristics . 12
Figure 2 – Time definitions . 14
Figure 3 – Remanence test sequence . 28
Figure 4 – Sequence of contact circuit resistance measurement . 29
Figure 5 – Test circuit for the measurement of release and bounce time of a make
switch . 33
Figure 6 – Test circuit for the measurement of time parameters of a change-over
switch . 34
Figure A.1 – Configuration of test coils . 63
Figure B.1 – Test system 1 . 65
Figure B.2 – Test system 2 . 65
Figure C.1 – Generalized endurance test circuit . 67

– 6 – 62246-1  IEC:2011
Figure C.2 – Functional block diagram . 68
Figure D.1 – Circuit for filament lamp load . 69
Figure D.2 – Example for capacitive load test . 70
Figure E.1 – Conditional short-circuit current test circuit . 71
Figure G.1 – Contact reliability test circuit . 73
Figure H.1 – Making current capacity test circuit . 74
Figure H.2 – Making current capacity test sequence . 74
Figure I.1 – Breaking current capacity test circuit . 75
Figure I.2 – Breaking current capacity test sequence . 75

Table 1 – Classification . 21
Table 2 – Resistive loads . 46
Table 3 – Loads . 47
Table 4 – Cables. 47
Table 5 – Making and breaking capacity for electrical endurance tests . 48
Table 6 – Verification of making and breaking capacity under normal conditions . 55
Table 7 – Verification of making and breaking capacity under abnormal conditions . 56
Table A.1 – List of standard test coils . 64
Table F.1 – Examples of contact rating designation based on classification . 72

62246-1  IEC:2011 – 7 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
REED SWITCHES –
Part 1: Generic specification
FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
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governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62246-1 has been prepared by IEC technical committee 94: All-or-
nothing electrical relays.
This standard cancels and replaces the first edition of IEC 62246-1 published in 2002 and the
first edition of IEC 62246-2 published in 2007. It constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
editions:
– update of references, terms and definitions;
– renumbering of clauses to bring them into a more logical order;
– inclusion of the generic specifications for all types of reed switches, but mercury wetted
reed switches have been removed from the scope due to their potential for environmental
impact;
– inclusion of three fundamental conformity assessment procedures for quality assessment;

– 8 – 62246-1  IEC:2011
– improvement of electrical endurance tests covering resistive, inductive, capacitive and
filament lamp contact loads;
– renumbering of all annexes in the order they are referenced in the body of the standard;
– improvement of test procedures;
– inclusion of a new Annex C (informative) for electrical endurance test circuit, an Annex D
(informative) for inrush current loads, an Annex E (informative) for conditional short-circuit
current test circuit, an Annex F (informative) for electrical ratings based on classification,
an Annex G (informative) for example of test arrangement for contact reliability test, an
Annex H (informative) for example of test arrangement for making current capacity test
and an Annex I (informative) for example of test arrangement for breaking current capacity
test.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
94/314/FDIS 94/323/RVD
Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The detail specifications (DS), the sectional specifications (SS) and the blank detail
specifications (BDS) deriving from this document are not yet available and the IEC/PAS
62246-2-1 (a quality assessment specification) is intended to be developed to become a full
IEC standard.
A list of all parts of the IEC 62246 series can be found, under the general title Reed switches,
on the IEC website.
Future standards in this series will carry the new general title as cited above. Titles of existing
standards in this series will be updated at the time of the next edition.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
the stability result date indicated on the IEC web site under http://webstore.iec.ch in the date
related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
62246-1  IEC:2011 – 9 –
REED SWITCHES –
Part 1: Generic specification
1 Scope
This part of IEC 62246 series, which is a generic specification applies to all types of reed
switches including magnetically biased reed switches of assessed quality for use in general
and industrial applications.
NOTE 1 Mercury wetted reed switches are not covered by this standard due to their possible environmental
impact.
It lists the tests and measurement procedures which may be selected for use in detail
specifications for such reed switches. This standard also specifies the quality assessment
procedures to be followed.
This standard applies to reed switches which are operated by an applied magnetic field; it is
not restricted to any particular type of contact load.
NOTE 2 For elementary relays with reed switches, this standard is recommended to be used together with the
standards IEC 61810-1 and IEC 61811-1 as applicable.
NOTE 3 The applications of reed switches can be covered by specific product standards and the use of the
IEC 62246 series does not guarantee compliance with those standards.
NOTE 4 Where any discrepancies occur for any reasons, documents rank in the following order of authority:
a) the detail specification,
b) the sectional specification,
c) the generic specification,
d) any other international documents (for example, of the IEC) to which reference is made.
The same order of precedence applies to equivalent national documents.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document.
For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition
of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
IEC 60068-1:1988, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
IEC 60068-2-1:2007, Environmental testing – Part 2-1: Tests – Test A: Cold
IEC 60068-2-2:2007, Environmental testing – Part 2-2: Tests – Test B: Dry heat
IEC 60068-2-6:2007, Environmental testing – Part 2-6: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)
IEC 60068-2-7:1983, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-7: Tests – Test Ga and
guidance: Acceleration, steady state

– 10 – 62246-1  IEC:2011
IEC 60068-2-11:1981, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-11: Tests – Test Ka:
Salt mist
IEC 60068-2-13:1983, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-13: Tests – Test M:
Low air pressure
IEC 60068-2-14:2009, Environmental testing – Part 2-14: Tests – Test N: Change of
temperature
IEC 60068-2-17:1994, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2-17: Tests – Test Q:
Sealing
IEC 60068-2-20:2008, Environmental testing – Part 2-20: Tests – Test T: Test methods for
solderability and resistance to soldering heat of devices with leads
IEC 60068-2-21:2006, Environmental testing – Part 2-21: Tests – Test U: Robustness of
terminations and integral mounting devices
IEC 60068-2-27:2008, Environmental testing – Part 2-27: Tests – Test Ea and guidance:
Shock
IEC 60068-2-30:2005, Environmental testing – Part 2-30: Tests – Test Db: Damp heat, cyclic
(12 + 12 h cycle)
IEC 60068-2-78, Environmental testing – Part 2-78: Tests – Test Cab: Damp heat, steady
state
IEC 60096 (all parts), Radio frequency cables
IEC 60410, Sampling plans and procedures for inspection by attributes
IEC 60947-5-1:2003, Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear – Part 5-1: Control circuit
devices and switching elements – Electromechanical control circuit devices
IECQ 001002-1:1998, IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ
System) – Rules of Procedure – Part 1: Administration
IECQ 001002-3:2005, IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ
System) – Rules of Procedure – Part 3: Approval procedures
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
NOTE Definitions of terms not stipulated in this standard are given in the IEC 60050 series, in particular in the
IEC 60050-444.
3.1 Terms and definitions of reed switch types
3.1.1
type
products having similar design features and nominal dimensions manufactured by the same
techniques and falling within a range of ratings specified by the manufacturer
NOTE Mounting accessories are ignored, provided they have no significant effect on the test results.

62246-1  IEC:2011 – 11 –
3.1.2
variant
variation within a type having specific characteristics
3.1.3
reed switch
assembly containing contact blades, partly or completely made of magnetic material,
hermetically sealed in an envelope and controlled by means of an externally generated
magnetic field (e.g. an energizing quantity applied to a coil)
3.1.4
high voltage vacuum reed switch
reed switch, in which ability to switch high voltages is achieved by a high vacuum within the
hermetically sealed envelope
3.1.5
heavy-duty reed switch
reed switch, in which greater switching capacity is achieved
NOTE Blades having additional contact tips or a contact tip and spring which separate the magnetic path and
electric path are typical examples of techniques to increase switching capacity.
3.1.6
magnetically biased reed switch
reed switch to which a biasing magnetic field is applied, determining the functional
characteristics and the operate and release position
3.2 Terms and definitions of operating values
3.2.1
preferred position
position recommended for use and in which tests are normally performed, unless otherwise
specified
3.2.2
rated value
value of a quantity used for specification purpose, established for a specific set of operating
conditions
3.2.3
operate position
position in which the make contact is closed and the break contact is open
3.2.4
release position
position in which the make contact is open and the break contact is closed
3.2.5
just-operate value
value of the magnetic and electromagnetic fields at which the released reed switch just
operates (see Figure 1)
– 12 – 62246-1  IEC:2011
Magnetic field
Saturate value
Characteristic
non-release value
Must-operate value
Must-not-release value
Just-operate value
(specific to each
Just-release value
contact unit)
(specific to each
contact unit)
Must-not-operate value
Must-release value
t
IEC  245/11
Figure 1 – Functional characteristics
3.2.6
must-operate value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the reed switch operates (see Figure 1)
3.2.7
just-release value
value of the applied magnetic field at which the operated reed switch just releases (see
Figure 1)
3.2.8
must-release value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the operated reed switch releases (see
Figure 1)
3.2.9
must-not-operate value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the reed switch does not operate (see
Figure 1)
3.2.10
must-not-release value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the operated reed switch remains operated
(see Figure 1)
3.2.11
characteristic non-release value
stated value of the applied magnetic field above which the operated reed switch fulfils
specified qualities, for example contact resistance, noise characteristics, etc. (see Figure 1)
3.2.12
saturate value
value of the applied magnetic field at which the reed switch is unaffected by further increase
of the applied magnetic field (see Figure 1)

62246-1  IEC:2011 – 13 –
3.2.13
contact bounce
phenomenon which can occur while a contact circuit is making or breaking and which is
characterized by the contact points successively touching and separating before reaching
their final position
3.2.14
magnetic dwell (only for change-over switches)
difference in the values of applied magnetic field when the break contact just opens and the
make contact just closes, or vice versa
3.3 Terms and definitions related to operating times (see Figure 2)
3.3.1
bounce time
for a contact which is closing/opening its circuit, time interval between the instant when the
contact circuit first closes/opens and the instant when the circuit is finally closed/opened
3.3.2
operate time
time interval between the application of the specified magnetic field to a reed switch in the
release condition and the cha
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