PCB relays encompass latest technical trends

Demand for relays for printed circuit boards (PCBs) grows year after year as electronic products become smaller and lighter. At the same time, set-makers exhibit extensive needs for dense parts installation on printed circuit boards (Fig. 1). According to a survey from the Nippon Electric Control Manufacturers Association (NECA), relay production for printed circuit boards escalated another 100 million units every year for the past four years, producing a double-digit growth rate from FY1985 to FY1990. Last year, printed circuit board relays commanded about 85 percent of the total relay production. This article discusses the latest trends in printed circuit board relays.