The story of Magnasphere begins with a fundamental question: Why, in a world of evolving technology, are we still relying on decades-old reed switch designs for critical security applications? The founders of Magnasphere didn’t just ask this question, they set out to answer it by reinventing the core technology behind door contact sensors.

Reed switches, invented in the 1930s and widely adopted for security systems in the 1970’s, had remained virtually unchanged. Despite mounting evidence of their flaws, namely vulnerability to magnetic tampering, susceptibility to power surges, and physical fragility, the industry lacked a viable alternative.

That changed in the early 2000s, when Magnasphere introduced a game-changing innovation: a spherical magnetic sensor that solved the security vulnerabilities inherent in reed switch technology.

The Reed Switch Problem: A Technology Stuck in the Past

Before Magnasphere, the reed switch was considered “good enough.” A glass-encased pair of metal reeds that opened or closed in the presence of a magnet created a switch that was simple, cheap and widely available.

But security professionals began to recognize three critical weaknesses:

1. Magnetic Defeat – A strong external magnet could fool a reed switch into remaining closed even when the door was open. This meant that intruders could bypass an alarm with little more than a well-placed magnet.

2. Permanent Contact Welding – Exposure to electrical surges or lightning often caused reed contacts to weld shut, rendering the sensor useless while still signaling a secure state.

3. Fragility – Glass construction made reed switches prone to breakage during installation or under mechanical stress, especially in high-traffic or industrial settings.

These vulnerabilities weren’t just theoretical. Real-world breaches, particularly in sensitive environments like government buildings and data centres, were prompting the need for a better solution.

The Birth of the Magnasphere Switch

The founders of Magnasphere set out to eliminate these risks with a bold new approach. Instead of relying on magnetic induction and glass reeds, they designed a switch using a spherical magnet and metallic, welded construction. This configuration would become the basis for the patented Magnasphere switch.

This new switch achieved several breakthroughs:

· Directional Activation – Unlike globally magnetic reed switches, the Magnasphere sensor only responds to a magnet in a narrowly defined activation zone, making it virtually impervious to magnetic tampering.

· Durability and Reliability – The all-metal, hermetically sealed construction eliminated fragility and protected the switch from environmental and electrical damage.

From Invention to Adoption

After initial prototypes proved the concept, Magnasphere launched its first commercial products in the mid-2000s. The security industry quickly took notice, especially those operating in high-risk and high-value environments.

A turning point came when Magnasphere switches were approved under the UL-634 standard, setting a new benchmark for high-security contact sensors. Government agencies, military contractors, and Fortune 500 companies began integrating Magnasphere into their systems, often replacing reed-based contacts.

Commitment to Security and Innovation

Magnasphere didn’t stop with door contacts. The company has since developed a broad line of magnetically actuated, non-reed switch solutions, including specialty applications for high-security access points, emergency panic alarms, and industrial safety systems. Their engineers continue to innovate, exploring new sensor designs and materials that push the boundaries of what magnetic sensing can do.

But at the heart of every product is the same mission that sparked the company’s founding: Make security systems more secure, more reliable and more tamper-resistant than ever before.