GOODSKY: New Design Concepts – Less Silver, Less Copper, More Efficiency
A Response to the Rising Raw Material Prices
The current economic situation poses major challenges for the electronics industry. In particular, the sharply rising prices of silver and copper are increasing cost pressure across the sector. Traditional relay designs, which rely on generous use of materials and form factors that have evolved over decades, are increasingly reaching their limits. The answer lies in miniaturization, intelligent design and technological leadership.
SamplesRaw Material Prices as an Opportunity for New Designs
Silver is required for contacts, while copper is used for coils, connection pins, and other current-carrying components. Rising raw material prices therefore have a strong and immediate impact on the manufacturing costs of relays. At the same time, market requirements remain consistently high:
- Higher power densities
- More compact designs
- Long service life
- International approvals
Existing designs based on current relay generations are reaching their economic limits. New architectural approaches are required that maintain or even increase performance while using less material.
Miniaturization & Dual Layout: Replacing Legacy Designs
A key solution is the consistent miniaturization of modern power relays. By reducing the footprint, optimizing contact systems, and using more efficient coil concepts, both material costs and installation space can be significantly reduced. The new miniature relays are designed to allow a simple dual layout with existing, larger standard relays (e.g., classic 16A form factors).
Developers benefit in several ways: Reduced use of silver and copper and potential space savings on the PCB, allowing additional functions or more compact device housings.
In the first step, the solution can be implemented directly in a dual layout, which keeps the required design changes to a minimum. This means that legacy designs are not only replaced from a technical perspective, but also from an economic standpoint.
Reducing Costs, Saving Space – Without Compromising Quality
Miniaturized relays are no longer a compromise product. On the contrary: Through innovative product design, highly automated production lines, and comprehensive quality monitoring, modern relays achieve the highest levels of reliability – while simultaneously reducing the use of raw materials. For device manufacturers, this means:
- Cost optimization despite volatile raw material markets
- Optimized PCB space utilization
- Future-proof designs through next-generation relay platforms
Technologically Leading Relay Solutions as a Response to Market Requirements
One example of this approach is the modern relay portfolio from GOODSKY, particularly the GQ series. This relay generation was designed specifically to meet today’s market requirements:
- High-end miniaturization up to the 20A performance class
- Optimized contact materials for high inrush currents with reduced use of precious metals
- Variants rated for ambient temperatures up to 105°C
- SMD/reflow versions available, supplied in both tube and tape & reel packaging for automated PCB assembly
- Variants for explosion-protection applications, e.g., in systems using modern refrigerants
- Low coil power consumption for improved energy efficiency
Despite their significantly reduced size, these relays meet all relevant UL, IEC, and TÜV requirements and are suitable for demanding applications – from smart home systems and heating controls to household appliances and industrial electronics.
Applications
- White Goods: Washing machines, refrigerators, dryers, dishwashers, coffee machines
- Smart Home: Alarm systems, lighting control, irrigation systems, garage door controllers, switching actuators
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning: Heat pumps, air conditioning systems, boilers, burners, thermostats, mixing valves, inverters
- Industrial Applications: Programmable logic controllers (PLCs), I/O modules
Partnering for the Optimal Relay Solution
As a European relay specialist, we support our customers far beyond simple distribution. With in-depth manufacturer-level expertise, application support, and strategic roadmapping, CODICO actively assists customers in migrating from legacy relay designs to modern, miniaturized platforms.
Conclusion
The dramatic rise in raw material prices for silver and copper is not a temporary phenomenon but a structural shift. Miniaturization, new design approaches, and technologically advanced relay models are the key to reducing costs, saving space, and maintaining the highest quality standards at the same time. Modern relay portfolios – such as the GQ series from GOODSKY – clearly demonstrate how economic pressure can be transformed into technological progress. High-end miniaturized relays are not just an option – they are the logical response to current market demands.
Your Contact Persons
For further information about GOODSKY's relay portfolio contact Werner Falkner or Nicole Rott.
