MALVERN, PA — Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) has launched a new series of inrush current limiting positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors designed to enhance performance in active charge and discharge circuits used in automotive and industrial applications.
Inrush current limiting PTC thermistors are a type of resistor with resistance that increases as the temperature rises. They are commonly used in circuits to limit inrush current, which is a surge of power that can occur when equipment is first turned on.
The PTCEL series devices from Vishay combine a wide range of resistance at 25 °C (R25) values—ranging from 60 ohms (Ω) to 1 kiloohm (kΩ)—with high voltage and energy handling capabilities. These devices can handle maximum voltages of 1000 volts direct current (VDC) at 500 Ω and 1200 VDC at 1 kΩ. They also boast maximum energy handling up to 240 joules (J)—four times higher than competing devices.
By combining multiple thermistors in parallel, these devices can achieve energy absorption levels over 1000 J. They also offer high-temperature operation up to +105 °C, providing a heat capacity to 2.3 J/K for all resistance values.
These AEC-Q200 qualified thermistors are self-protecting, meaning they pose no risk of overheating. This makes them suitable for overload protection in alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) and DC/DC converters, load dump, DC-Link, battery management, and emergency discharge circuits, among others. Additionally, they can withstand more than 100,000 inrush-power cycles and are highly resilient against non-switching peak power up to 25 kilowatts (kW).
The PTCEL series is available in two sizes: the smaller PTCEL13R and larger PTCEL17 for low and high energy applications, respectively. Both types are offered in tape on reel packaging and have a leadwire pitch of 5 millimeters (mm). The PTCEL17R also comes with leadwire pitches of 7.5 mm and 10 mm to accommodate higher voltages and can be automatically handled by pick and place equipment for lower placement costs.
Composed of a ceramic pellet soldered between two tinned CCS wires and coated with a high-temperature silicone lacquer, these barium titanate thermistors are UL 94 V-0 compliant. They are RoHS-compliant and C-UL-US recognized under file E148885 for both AC and DC use, ensuring an increased and controlled safety level.
With their high performance and safety features, Vishay’s new PTCEL series thermistors are poised to make significant contributions to the automotive and industrial sectors.
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