A MEM relay (110') includes an actuator, a shorting bar (52) disposed on the actuator, a contact substrate, and a plurality of liquid metal contacts (126, 128) are disposed on the contact substrate such that the plurality of liquid metal contacts are placed in electrical communication when the MEM relay is in a closed state. Further, the MEM relay includes a heater (129, 129') disposed on said contact substrate wherein said heater is in thermal communication with the plurality of liquid metal contacts. The contact substrate can additionally include a plurality of wettable metal contacts (125, 127) disposed on the contact substrate wherein each of the plurality of wettable metal contacts is proximate to each of the plurality of liquid metal contacts (126, 128) and each of the wettable metal contact is in electrical communication with each of the plurality of liquid metal contacts.