Reed Switch Animation
Reed Switch
Reed switch is a kind of switch that can be turned ON and OFF by using a magnet. Reed switch consists of two ferromagnetic contact blades fixed like a cantilever anchored at opposite ends in a sealed glass tube. The ends of the blades form the electrical terminals. Ferromagnetic means material made up of magnetic steel that can be easily magnetised when placed in magnetic field. The glass tube is filled with inert gas in order to protect the blades from corrosion when they contact each other. A switching magnet is attached to the required moving structure to turn ON or OFF the switch.
When the magnet comes close to the reed switch the ferromagnetic contact blades becomes magnetized and attracts each other thereby closing the circuit. When the magnet moves away contact blades spring back to their original position thereby breaking the circuit. In this way the switch is turned ON and OFF. As the contact points are sealed in a glass tube the switch produces no spark that can ignite combustible gases diffused in the industrial environment.