Abstract: A multi-positional mercury switch (1) for use with miniature relays (3). The mercury switch apparatus has magnetic contact structures (11, 13, 16, 17) supported in a sealed envelope member (10) with free ends thereof located in the envelope member and positioned to engage or disengage each other in response to a magnetic field generated by current appearing in a coil (310) externally surrounding the envelope member. A magnetic contact structure (11) has a mercury wetted surface (113) and an opening (111) at a free end (116) extending from the mercury wetted surface through the magnetic contact structure for forming a mercury contact (117) opposite the mercury wetted surface.

Abstract: A multi-positional mercury switch (1, 2, 3) for use with miniature relays (4). The mercury switch apparatus has mercury wettable magnetic contact structures (11, 12, 211, 212, 221, 222, 311, 312) supported in a sealed envelope member (10, 20, 30) supporting the magnetic contact structures with ends thereof extending from the envelope member for interconnection with terminals of the relay. A mercury holding assembly (13, 14, 23, 24, 33, 34) is slidably located within the sealed envelope member adjacent the magnetic contact structures and is responsive to an external magnetic field generated by electrical signals in a coil (410) surrounding the sealed envelope member for engaging the magnetic contact structures and establishing an electrical conducting path between the magnetic contact structures.