IEC 62246-1:2002

INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
62246-1
First edition
2002-04
Reed contact units –
Part 1:
Generic specification
Contacts à lames souples en enceinte scellée –
Partie 1:
Spécification générique
Reference number
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INTERNATIONAL IEC
STANDARD
62246-1
First edition
2002-04
Reed contact units –
Part 1:
Generic specification
Contacts à lames souples en enceinte scellée –
Partie 1:
Spécification générique
 IEC 2002  Copyright - all rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from the publisher.
International Electrotechnical Commission, 3, rue de Varembé, PO Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 22 919 02 11 Telefax: +41 22 919 03 00 E-mail: inmail@iec.ch  Web: www.iec.ch
PRICE CODE
Commission Electrotechnique Internationale
XA
International Electrotechnical Commission
Международная Электротехническая Комиссия
For price, see current catalogue

– 2 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.4
1 General .5
1.1 Scope.5
1.2 Normative references .5
1.3 Units, symbols and terminology .7
1.4 Preferred values.14
1.5 Marking .16
1.6 Order of precedence.16
1.7 Precautions regarding mercury (for mercury wetted contact units).16
2 Quality assessment procedures.17
2.1 General .17
2.2 Qualification approval procedures .18
2.3 Quality conformance inspection requirements.18
3 Test and measurement procedures.19
3.1 General .19
3.2 Alternative procedures .19
3.3 Standard conditions for testing .19
3.4 Visual inspection and check of dimensions .20
3.5 Functional tests.20
3.6 Remanence test (see figure 3).22
3.7 Contact circuit resistance .23
3.8 Dielectric test .24
3.9 Insulation resistance .26
3.10 Operate, release, transfer or bridging, and bounce times (see figure 2).26
3.11 Contact sticking.28
3.12 Robustness of terminals .31
3.13 Soldering (solderability and resistance to soldering heat) .31
3.14 Climatic sequence .32
3.15 Damp heat, steady state.33
3.16 Rapid change of temperature .33
3.17 Salt mist.34
3.18 Bump .34
3.19 Vibration.35
3.20 Shock.36
3.21 Acceleration test – Functional test only (applicable to dry reed contact units only) 37
3.22 Sealing.38
3.23 Electrical endurance.38
3.24 Mechanical endurance.45
3.25 Maximum cycling frequency.47
3.26 Mounting position test (for mercury wetted contact units) .48
3.27 Drain time test (for mercury wetted contact units).48
3.28 Voltage surge test .48
Annex A (normative) Standard test coils for reed contact units.50
Annex B (normative) Test systems.52

62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 3 –
Figure 1 – Functional characteristics.9
Figure 2 – Time definitions.11
Figure 3 – Remanence test sequence .23
Figure 4 – Sequence of contact circuit resistance measurement .24
Figure 5 – Test circuit for the measurement of release and bounce time of a make
contact unit.27
Figure 6 – Test circuit for the measurement of time parameters of a change-over
contact unit.28
Figure 7 – Electrical endurance test arrangement .39
Figure A.1 – Configuration of test coils .50
Figure B.1 – Test system 1 .52
Figure B.2 – Test system 2 .52
Table 1 – Resistive loads.42
Table 2 – Loads .43
Table 3 – Cables.43
Table A.1 – List of standard test coils .50

– 4 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
REED CONTACT UNITS –
Part 1: Generic specification
FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of the 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, the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is
entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may
participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. The 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 the 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 National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are published in the form
of standards, technical specifications, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the National
Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC International
Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional standards. Any
divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or regional standard shall be clearly
indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any
equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject
of patent rights. The 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.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
94/156/FDIS 94/164/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 standard cancels and replaces IEC 60255-9 (1979).
The detail specifications (DS), the sectional specifications (SS) and the blank detail
specifications (BDS) are not yet available and will be developed as the need arises.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until
2005. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed;
• withdrawn;
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 5 –
REED CONTACT UNITS –
Part 1: Generic specification
1 General
1.1 Scope
This part of IEC 62246 which is the generic specification applies to dry and mercury wetted
reed contact units of assessed quality. It lists the tests and measurement procedures which
may be selected for use in detail specifications for such units. This standard also specifies the
quality assessment procedures to be followed.
This standard applies to those reed contact units which are operated by an applied magnetic
field; it is not restricted to any particular type of contact load.
NOTE 1 Since tests using a standard coil and standard resistive loads are the easiest to specify and to define,
this standard is currently restricted to tests of this type.
NOTE 2 For elementary relays with reed contact units, this standard is recommended to be used together with the
standards IEC 61810-1 and IEC 61811-1 as applicable.
Where in this part of IEC 62246 the term “detail specification” is used, this either has the
meaning defined in A.7 of QC 001001 for application within the IECQ system, or it means any
appropriate document, for example manufacturer’s data sheet, test specification, customer
detail specification.
1.2 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 60027, Letter symbols to be used in electrical terminology
IEC 60050, International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV)
IEC 60068-1:1988, Environmental testing – Part 1: General and guidance
Amendment 1(1992)
IEC 60068-2-1:1990, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Tests A: Cold
Amendment 1(1993)
Amendment 2(1994)
IEC 60068-2-2:1974, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Tests B: Dry heat
Amendment 1(1993)
Amendment 2(1994)
IEC 60068-2-3:1969, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Ca: Damp heat, steady
state
IEC 60068-2-6:1995, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Fc: Vibration (sinusoidal)

– 6 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
IEC 60068-2-7:1983, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Ga: Acceleration, steady state
Amendment 1(1986)
IEC 60068-2-11:1981, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Ka: Salt mist
IEC 60068-2-13:1983, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test M: Low air pressure
IEC 60068-2-14:1984, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test N: Change of temperature
Amendment 1(1986)
IEC 60068-2-17:1994, Basic environmental testing procedures – Part 2: Tests – Test Q:
Sealing
IEC 60068-2-20:1979, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test T: Soldering
Amendment 2(1987)
IEC 60068-2-21:1999, Environmental testing – Part 2-21: Tests – Test U: Robustness of
terminations and integral mounting devices
IEC 60068-2-27:1987, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Ea and guidance: Shock
IEC 60068-2-29:1987, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Eb and guidance: Bump
IEC 60068-2-30:1980, Environmental testing – Part 2: Tests – Test Db and guidance: Damp
heat, cyclic (12 + 12 hour cycle)
Amendment 1(1985)
IEC 60096 (series), Radio-frequency cables
IEC 60317-1:1990, Specifications for particular types of winding wires – Part 1: Polyvinyl
acetal enamelled round copper wire, class 105
Amendment 1(1997)
Amendment 2(1997)
IEC 60410:1973, Sampling plans and procedures for inspection by attributes
IEC 60617, Graphical symbols for diagrams
IEC 61810-1:1998, Electromechanical non-specified time all-or-nothing relays – Part 1:
General requirements
IEC 61811-1:1999, Electromechanical non-specified time all-or-nothing relays of assessed
quality – Part 1: Generic specification
ISO 1000, SI units and recommendation for the use of their multiples and of certain other
units
ITU-T Recommendation K.17:1988, Tests on power-fed repeaters using solid-state devices in
order to check the arrangements for protection from external interference
QC 001002, IEC Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ) – Rules of
Procedure
62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 7 –
1.3 Units, symbols and terminology
Units, graphical symbols, letter symbols and terminology shall, whenever possible, be taken
from the following documents:
ISO 1000, SI units and recommendations for the use of their multiples and of certain other units
IEC 60027, Letter symbols to be used in electrical technology
IEC 60050, International electrotechnical vocabulary
IEC 60617, Graphical symbols for diagrams
Any other units, symbols and terminology specific to one of the components covered by the
generic specification, shall be taken from the relevant IEC or ISO documents, listed under 1.2.
The following additional terminology is also applicable.
1.3.1
reed contact unit
assembly containing contact blades, some or all of magnetic material, hermetically sealed in
an envelope and controlled by means of externally generated magnetic field (e.g. an
energizing quantity applied to a coil)
1.3.2
mercury wetted contact unit
assembly containing contact blades, some or all of magnetic material, some or all mercury
wetted, hermetically sealed in an envelope and controlled by means of an externally
generated magnetic field (e.g. an energizing quantity applied to a coil)
1.3.3
contact blade
metal blade providing either the functions of the electric or magnetic circuit or both functions
combined as in the case of dry and wetted reed contact units.
For mercury wetted contact units: metal blade providing either the functions of the electric
circuit through mercury or the magnetic circuit, or both functions combined
1.3.4
biasing magnetic field
continuous magnetic field intended to determine the operate and the release position of the
contact, which can be adjusted to form a monostable or bistable contact unit
NOTE For bistable contact units, operate and release conditions have to be defined by the manufacturer in the
detail specification with reference to applied magnetic field polarity.
1.3.5
applied magnetic field
externally generated field (for example by a test coil) intended to change the position of the
contact
1.3.6
contact unit, mechanically biased
contact unit where the biasing, to determine the operate and release positions, is achieved
mechanically
1.3.7
magnetically biased contact unit
contact unit to which a biasing magnetic field is applied, determining the functional
characteristics and the operate and release position

– 8 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
1.3.8
make contact (Form A contact)
means that a reed contact unit is open when there is no applied magnetic field. This is a
normally open contact
1.3.9
break contact (Form B contact)
means that a reed contact unit is closed when there is no applied magnetic field. This is a
normally closed contact
1.3.10
change-over reed contact unit
contains a make contact and a break contact within its envelope, one contact blade being
common
a) change-over break-before-make reed contact unit (Form C contact)
Change-over reed contact unit, one contact circuit of which breaks before the other
makes.
b) change-over make-before-break reed contact unit (Form D contact)
Change-over reed contact unit, one contact circuit of which makes before the other
breaks.
c) change-over reed contact unit with unspecified switching sequence (Form A and Form B
contacts)
Change-over reed contact unit where the switching sequence can be either make-
before-break or break-before-make.
1.3.11
type
type comprises products having similar design features manufactured by the same techniques
and falling within the manufacturer's usual range of ratings for these products
NOTE Mounting accessories are ignored, provided they have no significant effect on the test results.
1.3.12
variant
variation within a type having specific nominal dimensions and characteristics
1.3.13
rated value
value assigned by the manufacturer to a given characteristic of the reed contact unit
1.3.14
operate position
position where the make contact is closed and the break contact is open.
1.3.15
release position
position where the make contact is open and the break contact is closed
1.3.16
to operate
reed contact unit operates when it changes from the release position to the operate position
1.3.17
to release
reed contact unit releases when it changes from the operate position to the release position

62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 9 –
1.3.18
just-operate value
value of the magnetic field at which the released reed contact unit just operates (see figure 1)
Magnetic field
Saturate value
Characteristic
non-release value
Must-operate value
Must-not-release value
Just-operate value
(specific to each
contact unit)
Just-release value
(specific to each
contact unit)
Must-not-operate value
Must-release value
t
IEC  1093/02
Figure 1 – Functional characteristics
1.3.19
must-operate value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the reed contact unit operates (see figure 1)
1.3.20
just-release value
value of the applied magnetic field at which the operated reed contact unit just releases (see
figure 1)
1.3.21
must-release value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the operated reed contact unit releases (see
figure 1)
1.3.22
must-not-operate value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the reed contact unit does not operate (see
figure 1)
1.3.23
must-not-release value
stated limit of the applied magnetic field at which the operated reed contact unit remains
operated (see figure 1)
1.3.24
characteristic non-release value
stated value of the applied magnetic field above which the operated reed contact unit fulfils
specified qualities, for example contact resistance, noise characteristics, etc. (see figure 1)

– 10 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
1.3.25
saturate value
arbitrarily defined value of the applied magnetic field at which the reed contact unit is
unaffected by further increase of the applied magnetic field (see figure 1)
1.3.26
bounce
momentary re-opening of a contact after initial closing, or a momentary closing after initial
opening
1.3.27
magnetic dwell (only for change-over contact units)
difference in the values of applied magnetic field when the break contact just opens and the
make contact just closes, or vice versa
NOTE For time definitions, see figure 2, for test conditions, see 3.10.
1.3.28
bounce time
interval of time between the instant of the first closing (or opening) and the instant of the final
closing (or opening) of the reed contact unit
1.3.29
operate time
time between the instant of the application of a magnetic field to a reed contact unit and the
instant the contact is in the operate position. It does not include bounce time
1.3.30
release time
time between the instant of the removal of the applied magnetic field to a reed contact unit,
and the instant the contact is in the release position. It does not include bounce time

62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 11 –
Oscilloscope diagram
V
V
B
0,62
0,35
0,25
t t t t t t t t
1 5 3 6 10 11 15 13 16
t  ms
min.
t
t
IEC  1094/02
a) Break-before-make
V
V
B
0,62
0,50
0,35
0,25
t  ms
t t t t
t t t t
10 min. 12 15 14 16
2 5 4 6
t t
1 11
IEC  1095/02
b) Make-before-break
Energization of the test coil De-energization of the test coil
t : operate break time t : release break time
1 11
t : operate make time t : release make time
2 12
t : operate transfer time t : release transfer time
3 13
t : operate bridging time t : release bridging time
4 14
t
and t : bounce times t and t : bounce times
5 6 15 16
Refer to figures 5 and 6 for key to V .
B
Figure 2 – Time definitions
– 12 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
1.3.31
transfer time (Form C contact)
time interval during which both contact circuits are open (not including bounce time)
1.3.32
bridging time (Form D contact)
time interval during which both contact circuits are closed (not including bounce time)
1.3.33
operate make time
time interval between the instant of the application of a magnetic field to the contact unit and
the instant of the first closing of the make contact
1.3.34
operate break time
time interval between the instant of the application of a magnetic field to the contact unit and
the instant of the first opening of the break contact
1.3.35
release make time
time interval between the instant of the removal of an applied magnetic field from the reed
contact unit and the instant of the first closing of the break contact
1.3.36
release break time
time interval between the instant of the removal of an applied magnetic field from the reed
contact unit and the instant of the first opening of the make contact
1.3.37
operate transfer time (Form C contact)
transfer time measured when the break-before-make reed contact unit moves from the release
position to the operate position
1.3.38
release transfer time (Form C contact)
transfer time measured when the break-before-make reed contact unit moves from the
operate position to the release position
1.3.39
operate bridging time (Form D contact)
bridging time during which the make-before-break reed contact unit moves from the release to
the operate position
1.3.40
release bridging time (Form D contact)
bridging time during which the make-before-break reed contact unit moves from the operate to
the release position
1.3.41
minimum time of operate energization
minimum time between the instant of the first application of a magnetic field (at a stated
value), and the instant of reduction of that field to the characteristic non release value to
ensure that the reed contact unit is maintained in the operate condition

62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 13 –
1.3.42
time to stable closed position
time between the instant of application of a specified magnetic field to the instant at which the
reed contact unit fulfils specified qualities, for example contact resistance, noise character-
istics, etc.
1.3.43
maximum cycling frequency
maximum number of cycles per second, at and below which, the contact unit still meets the
specifications
1.3.44
failure-to-make
fault condition of the contacts, indicated by the contact circuit resistance of the unit exceeding
a specified value, for a specified applied magnetic field, within a specified period
1.3.45
failure-to-break
fault condition of the contacts, indicated by the contact circuit resistance of the unit failing to
exceed a specified value, for a specified applied magnetic field, within a specified period
1.3.46
contact sticking
failure-to-break of a reed contact unit due to residual magnetic, physical or chemical effects
1.3.47
maximum contact current
maximum allowed switched d.c. or peak current in correlation to a given number and
frequency of operations and load, under specified conditions
1.3.48
limiting continuous current
highest value of the current (r.m.s. if a.c.) which a previously closed contact is capable of
carrying continuously, in specified conditions
1.3.49
maximum contact voltage
maximum allowed switched d.c. or peak voltage, in correlation to a given number of
operations and load, under specified conditions
1.3.50
contact noise
spurious peak-to-peak voltage which is generated across the reed contact unit terminations,
in specified conditions
1.3.51
thermal e.m.f.
e.m.f. generated by the reed contact unit, when connected to an external circuit in an operate
position and subjected to a temperature differential
1.3.52
duty cycle
ratio, expressed as a percentage, of the duration of energization to the interval between
commencements of successive energizations

– 14 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
1.3.53
drain-time
time taken for the contacts to become electrically open after they have been flooded with
mercury by inversion and then returned to the preferred position
NOTE In the case of change-over mercury wetted contact units there are two drain-times; one for each position of
the contact.
1.3.54
preferred position
position recommended for use and in which tests are normally performed, unless otherwise
specified
1.3.55
mounting position restriction
maximum angle from the preferred position at which the device may be mounted and still
meet the specifications
1.4 Preferred values
The following preferred values shall be used, unless otherwise stated in the detail
specification.
1.4.1 Frequency of operation
1; 2; 5; 8; 10; 12,5; 16; 20; 25; 30; 50; 60; 100; 500 operations per second.
1.4.2 Duty cycle
50 %.
1.4.3 Open-circuit voltage across contacts
a) 0,01; 0,1; 5; 12; 24, 50; 100; 110; 127; 150; 220; 250; 380; 500; 1 000; 1 500; 2 000 V a.c.
(r.m.s.).
b) 0,01; 0,03; 0,05; 0,1; 1; 1,5; 4,5; 5; 6; 6,3; 10; 12; 15; 17; 20; 24; 30; 36; 48; 50; 60; 80;
100; 110; 150; 175; 200; 250; 440; 500; 600; 800; 1 200; 1 500 V d.c.
1.4.4 Current rating
1; 1,25; 1,6; 2; 2,5; 3; 3,15; 4; 5; 6,3; 8 A or the decimal multiples or submultiples of these
figures in amps; 1, 2 and 5 are preferred.
1.4.5 Load ratings
1; 2; 5; 10; 15; 30; 50; 100; 150; 250; 500 VA.
1.4.6 Number of operations
5 000, 10 000, 20 000, 50 000
5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 10
1⋅10 , 2⋅10 , 1⋅10 , 2⋅10 , 5⋅10 , 1⋅10 , 2⋅10 , 5⋅10 , 1⋅10 , 2⋅10 , 5⋅10 , 1⋅10 , 1⋅10 .
1.4.7 Climatic category
The climatic category (see appendix A of IEC 60068-1) of a reed contact unit, both steady
state and cyclic shall be established by a selection from the following preferred standard
values of lower and upper ambient temperatures and damp heat values.

62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 15 –
a) The preferred values of lower ambient temperature are:
− 65, – 50, – 40, – 25, −10 °C
b) The preferred values of upper ambient temperature are:
40, 55, 70, 85, 100, 125, 200 °C
c) The preferred times of exposure to damp heat, steady state are:
4, 10, 21, 56 days
d) The preferred climatic categories are:
65 / 125 / 56
40 / 100 / 56
40 / 100 / 21
40 / 85 / 56
40 / 70 / 21
25 / 70 / 21
25 / 55 / 04
10 / 40 / 04
10 / 55 / 04
1.4.8 Preferred environmental severities
a) Vibration (IEC 60068-2-6, Test Fc)
Frequency Vibration amplitude or acceleration No. of sweep cycles
10-500 Hz 0,35 mm or 49 m/s² (5 g) 10
10-500 Hz 0,75 mm or 98 m/s² (10 g) 10
10-2000 Hz 0,75 mm or 98 m/s² (10 g) 8
10-2000 Hz 1,5 mm or 196 m/s² (20 g) 8
Duration of the sweep endurance in each of the three axes is given by a specified number of
sweep cycles. Sweep rate: 1 octave per minute ± 10 %.
Cross-over frequency between 57 Hz and 62 Hz.
b) Bump (IEC 60068-2-29, Test Eb): 1 000 + 10 bumps at 390 m/s , duration 6 ms.
c) Shock (IEC 60068-2-27, Test Ea)
11 ms, 490 m/s , 50 g
11 ms, 294 m/s , 30 g
d) Acceleration (IEC 60068-2-7, Test Ga)
m/s g
98 10
196 20
490 50
19 600 2 000
49 000 5 000
98 000 10 000
196 000 20 000
294 000 30 000
Duration of 1 min in each direction prescribed in the specification.
e) Low air pressure (IEC 60068-2-13, Test M): 80 mbar

– 16 – 62246-1  IEC:2002(E)
1.5 Marking
The sectional or detail specifications shall indicate the identification criteria and other
information to be shown on the unit and/or package. The letter or colour code shall be
described in full or reference made to the appropriate specifications. The order of priority for
marking small units shall be specified.
The marking shall, as a minimum, consist of:
– the trade mark or the manufacturer's name;
– the unit type and variants' code;
– the coded date of manufacture, quantified by months or less.
Each package of reed contact unit shall be marked with the following information:
– date code;
– number of the detail specification;
– manufacturer's factory identification code;
– additional marking as required by the detail specification.
1.6 Order of precedence
Where any discrepancies occur for any reasons, documents shall 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 shall apply to equivalent national documents.
1.7 Precautions regarding mercury (for mercury wetted contact units)
1.7.1 General
As mercury is a toxicologically and environmentally hazardous substance, all applicable
international and local laws and regulations have to be complied with.
1.7.2 Information sheet
A sheet containing relevant general information about mercury on
a) physical properties,
b) important characteristics,
c) hazards/symptoms,
d) preventive measures,
e) fire extinguishing/first aid,
f) spillage,
g) storage,
h) labelling,
should be given to the user.
62246-1  IEC:2002(E) – 17 –
1.7.3 Recommendations for control and disposal
a) Control of mercury wetted contact units:
– the contact units shall be stored in the manufacturer's packaging until required for
assembly;
– sufficient number of contact units should be released from stock to cover the
immediate assembly programme; unused contact units should be returned to stock;
– contact units rejected either due to damage or failure should be stored in a suitable
container until disposal;
– contact units should be regularly monitored to ensure that no units are lost or mislaid.
b) Disposal of mercury wetted contact units:
– it is illegal to put mercury wetted reed contact units in any quantity in domestic or
industrial general waste, unless local laws allow exceptions for the maximum amount
of mercury used per total weight of disposal (percentage or ppm). Local laws and
regulations have to be followed;
– contact units in any condition (intact or damaged) which are ready for disposal should
be stored separately in an impervious container until there is sufficient quantity to be
taken or sent to a licensed disposal or recycling site;
– the licensed site may be for instance an incinerator, an adequate land-fill or a metal-
recovery dealer; licensing is the prerogative of the local authorities.
2 Quality assessment procedures
2.1 General
The basic concept of the IECQ system for quality assessment is to provide assurance to the
purchaser that the components which are released conform to the requirements in the
relevant specifications.
Before a manufacturer is permitted to produce, test and deliver components under the IECQ
quality assessment system, it is necessary that his production organization, facilities, storage
and delivery systems organization, facilities for inspection and tests of components, and
arrangements for calibration meet the requirements of the IECQ system. In particular, it shall
be demonstrated that all appropriate parts of the organization and its facilities are under the
direct control or surveillance of the person appointed as chief inspector. This approval of
manufacturers is granted in accordance with IEC QC 001002.
The procedures for the qualification approval of electronic components as stipulated in IEC
QC 001002 comprise the following consecutive basic steps:
a) qualification approval;
b) quality conformance inspection.
2.1.1 Primary stage of manufacture
The primary stage of manufacture is defined as the plating and related processing of the
contact blades.
2.1.2 Structurally similar components
The blank detail specification(s) shall define those reed contact units within its scope which
may be considered as structurally similar.

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2.1.3 Subcontracting
Subcontracting is permitted for any stages preceding the primary stage of manufacture
(see 2.1.1). Subcontracting shall be in accordance with requirements of annex B to clause 2
of QC 001002-3. Subcontracting the primary stage of manufacture and/or subsequent stages
to an unapproved manufacturer is forbidden.
2.2 Qualification approval procedures
These procedures shall be in accordance with the requirements of QC 001002-3.
The manufacturer shall comply with the requirements for the primary stage of manufacture
(see 2.1.1) as well as with the requirements given in the sectional and detail specifications.
In addition, the manufacturer shall produce test evidence of conformance to the specification
requirements either on three consecutive lots for lot-by-lot inspection and on one lot for
periodic inspection, or on a fixed sample subjected to the prescribed sequences of tests.
Samples shall be taken from the lots in accordance with IEC 60410. Normal inspection shall
be used, but where the sample size is less than that which would give acceptance on zero
defectives, additional specimens shall be taken to meet the sample size required to give
acceptance on one defective.
2.3 Quality conformance inspection requirements
The quality conformance inspection shall be in accordance with the requirements of QC
001002-3.
The blank detail specification shall prescribe the minimum test schedule which shall be
included in each detail specification for those reed contact units covered by the scope of the
specification.
This test schedule shall also specify the division into groups and subgroups (see 3.2.3 of
IEC QC 001002-3) for the purpose of lot-by-lot and periodic inspection.
The blank detail specification shall show the order in which the tests or conditions in the sub-
group shall be carried out where this order may affect the test results. The blank detail
specification shall also indicate wherever any particular order of testing in any subgroup is to
be observed.
Where a subgroup contains a destructive test, this shall either be stated in full or the symbol
"D" shall be placed alongside of the title of the subgroup in the schedule of inspection
requirements in the blank detail specification.
2.3.1 Delivery of units subjected to destructive tests or non-destructive tests
Units subjected to destructive tests shall not be included in the lot for delivery. Units
subjected to non-destructive tests may be delivered provided they are re-tested to Group A
(see 3.2.3 of IEC QC 001002-3) requirements and satisfy them.
2.3.2 Delayed delivery
Units which have been held by the manufacturer for a period exceeding 12 months following
acceptance inspection, shall be re-inspected as prescribed in the detail specification, unless
another period is specified therein.
If this has been done for the complete lot, no further retesting before delivery is needed for
another period of one year or as otherwise specified in the detail specification.

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2.3.3 Supplementary procedure for deliveries
When this has been nationally recognized, manufacturers may, at their discretion, supply
units that have met a higher assessment level against orders for a lower assessment level.
2.3.4 Unchecked parameters
When, in detail specifications, supplementary information is given, this shall not be the
subject of inspection.
2.3.5 Release for delivery before the completion of Group B tests
When the conditions of IEC 60410 for reduced inspection have been satisfied for all Group B
(see 3.2.3 of IEC QC 001002-3) tests, the manufacturer is permitted to release the units
before the completion of such tests.
2.3.6 Screening procedures
When screening is specified in the detail specification or the purchase order, it is to be
applied to all devices in the production lot prior to the formation of samples for quality
conformance testing (lot-by-lot and periodic).
The test shall be performed in the given order; when, however, part of screening sequence is
already performed during production and in the same sequence, it need not be repeated.
Any device found defective during any of the tests shall be removed and not considered as
part of the production lot for subsequent sampling purposes.
3 Test and measurement procedures
3.1 General
The blank detail specifications shall contain tables showing the tests to be made, which
measurements are to be made before and after each test or subgroup of tests, and the
sequence in which they shall be carried out.
3.2 Alternative procedures
The test and measurement methods given in the relevant specification are not necessarily the
only methods which can be used. However, the manufacturer shall satisfy the National
Supervising Inspectorate that any alternative methods which he may use will give results
equivalent to those obtained by the methods specified.
Alternative methods shall not be used where methods are specifically designated as referee
or reference methods.
3.3 Standard conditions for testing
Unless otherwise prescribed, all tests shall be carried out under standard atmospheric
conditions for testing, as specified in IEC 60068-1. The stages of each test shall be carried
out in the order written.
For those measurements that require the reed contact unit to be energized, the reed contact
unit shall be positioned in its test coil, as prescribed in the detail specification.
Test coils and test systems shall, wherever possible, be selected from the list of standard test
coils in annex A and from the test systems in annex B.

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The test shall be carried out in an environment in such a way that no external field or body
shall influence the test results by an amount equivalent to 0,5 A × turns or 2 %, whichever is
the greater.
The voltage of the test supply as measured at the test specimen shall remain within 0,5 % of
the nominal value at all test conditions other than the voltage test, unless otherwise
prescribed.
In case of mercury wetted contact units the tests shall be made with the unit in the preferred
position, unless otherwise prescribed in the detail specification. The preferred position shall
be described in the detail specification.
3.4 Visual inspection and check of dimensions
3.4.1 Visual inspection
Unless otherwise prescribed in the detail specification, inspection shall be performed under
normal visual conditions. The workmanship, seals, finish, mercury wetting and marking shall
be as prescribed in the detail specification.
If prescribed in the detail specification, more detailed visual inspection under specified
magnification shall be made for failures such as:
– glass defects: cracks, bubbles, crystallisation, devitrification chips, cold-seals, short-seals,
unwetted parts, etc.
– geometrical defects: contact alignment, overlapping failures, burrs, parallelism, etc.
– mechanical defects: blistering, unplated areas, staining, rusting, magnetic and unmagnetic
dirt, whisker growth, etc.
– mercury defects: insufficient wetting, unwanted wetting, mercury level, mercury outside
envelope, mercury surface condition, etc.
3.4.2 Outline dimensions
The outline dimensions shall be checked and shall comply with those prescribed in the detail
specification.
3.4.3 Mass
The nominal mass shall be prescribed in the detail specification.
3.4.4 Information to be stated in the
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