Product Overview
MSS2-1A12 Mercury Wetted Reed Relay -- DIP-14, 12V DC Coil, 1 Form A, All-Position Mount, Bounce-Free Switching
Condition
Unused NOS. Sourced from an electronics distributor consolidating inventory. Clean and pristine with nothing out of the ordinary. Evaluation: Visual inspection only. Function testing not performed.
Ships same business day from Idaho. Packed carefully.
Product Overview
REMech MSS2-1A12 is a mercury-wetted reed relay in a DIP-14 molded package. Mercury wetting eliminates contact bounce and maintains ultra-low, stable contact resistance across the relay's service life -- properties that distinguish it from dry reed relays in precision measurement and high-fidelity signal switching. The MSS2 series uses MYAD switch technology, enabling all-position PCB mounting. Coil nominal voltage is 12V DC with an approximate coil resistance of 500 ohms.
Key Features
- Contact form: 1 Form A (SPST-NO -- Single Pole, Single Throw, Normally Open)
- Coil voltage: 12V DC nominal
- Coil resistance: approximately 500 ohms (typical for MSS2 series)
- Switching capacity: up to 50W / 500V / 2A (typical MSS2 series rating)
- Contact material: mercury-wetted (Hg) -- zero contact bounce, stable low resistance
- Package: DIP-14 (Dual-In-Line, 14-pin molded body)
- Mounting: all-position via MYAD switch technology
- No internal suppression diode -- coil is not polarity-sensitive (MSS2-1A12 base variant)
Applications
- Automatic test equipment (ATE) signal switching and low-noise matrix routing
- Precision instrumentation and process control signal paths
- Audiophile preamplifier and volume control relay networks requiring bounce-free switching
- Legacy telecommunications and relay replacement in precision PCB assemblies
Frequently Asked Questions
What coil voltage and current does this relay require?
12V DC nominal. At approximately 500 ohms coil resistance, expect roughly 24mA drive current. A 5V or 24V control line will not operate this relay reliably without level shifting or a dedicated drive circuit.
Does this unit have an internal suppression diode?
No. The base MSS2-1A12 (no letter suffix) does not include an internal diode. The coil is not polarity-sensitive. The MSS2-1A12B variant adds a suppression diode; the MSS2-1A12C adds a diode and electrostatic shield. This listing is for the base variant only.
Can it be mounted in any orientation on a PCB?
Yes. The MSS2 series uses MYAD switch technology specifically designed for all-position mounting, unlike older mercury reed relays that required vertical-only installation.
Are there hazardous material shipping or disposal considerations?
Yes. Mercury-wetted relays contain a small quantity of mercury. Shipping and disposal are subject to hazardous material regulations that vary by jurisdiction. Verify compliance with your local requirements before ordering.
Is this the same part as the CP Clare or REMtech MSS2-1A12?
The MSS2-1A12 part number is shared across REMech, REMtech, and CP Clare product lines. Specifications for the MSS2 series are consistent across these brands. Verify pinout and coil specs against your target datasheet before installation.
Mercury-wetted relays in this condition are increasingly scarce. Verify coil voltage and contact form against your circuit before ordering -- no substitutions apply once a mercury-containing device ships.
