Reed switch What is a reed switch? Magnetic reed switch an electrical switch driven by a magnet. It consists of a pair of ferromagnetic flexible metal contacts in a hermetically sealed glass envelope. There are two types of configuration: Normally open (NO), closes when a magnetic field is brought near and normally close (NC) open when a magnetic field is brought near. When the magnetic field is removed, the contacts in the reed switch return to their original position. It was invented at Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1936 by Walter B. Ellwood. How a Reed Switch Work? The switching mechanism of the reed switch consists of two ferromagnetic blades which are separated by a small gap. These ferromagnetic blades are lightweight, magnetic and flexible. When a magnet is brought close to these blades, the two blades pull towards each other. Once the blades are closed the normally open (NO) contacts that allow electricity to flow. Some reed switches do not have a ferromagnetic contact, such s...