Reed-relay maker seeks exemption

Essex-based reed-relay manufacturer Pickering Electronics has applied to the European Commission to exempt mercury wetted relays from the RoHS Directive.

RoHS bans substances including mercury from consumer electronics sold in Europe after next summer.

If they are not given an exemption, “we might withdraw from that part of the relay market”, Mike Holton who heads RoHS work at the firm told Electronics Weekly.

Mercury wetting removes contact bounce and wetted relays are already used in exempt applications such as military.