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The ESK relay from Siemens entered the market in 1957 with the ESK technology (high-speed relay with precious metal contacts). Compared to the flat telecommunication relays, commonly used at that time, it was characterized not only by a significantly shorter switching time, but also by a smaller structure and the possibility of construction as one- and two-dimensional systems.
In this design, the contact spring and the armature are combined into a single piece called a „contact armature”. A contact armature, which is made of an iron-nickel alloy and weighs 0.3 grams, can switch a circuit in one to two milliseconds. The precious metal contacts consist of a palladium alloy and at that time had a relatively high level of operational reliability with low maintenance and a long service life. The relays were mounted in cassettes.
It was widely used, and in Austria, in Germany only in intercity switching systems, Bulgaria’s intercity network was built in the 70s on exchanges with ESK relays. It was used in the control panels type 48ESK-A3, ESK 400E, ESK 10.000E, CP24 and CP44. After the introduction of digital switching systems, it quickly lost its importance.
In Poland, the ESK relays were used only in 2 swiching centers located in the Kielce Province and the exhibit comes from there. A cable connecting individual cassettes with relays and control was fastened on the upper connector.
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