/> Available in footprints as small as 1206, the devices provide current ratings from 0.05 to 3.0A and voltage ratings from 16 to 60VDC. They help provide overcurrent and overtemperature protection for electronic control units (ECUs), I/O ports and traces, telematics and infotainment systems and motor and motor control circuits. Most devices are rated from -40°C to +85°C, but for higher temperature, under-hood applications the PolySwitch AHS device family is rated up to 125°C.

Automotive-grade PolySwitch devices are capable of passing seventeen electrical and environmental stress tests that require electrical performance verification prior to and after each stress. The electrical verification tests are intended to ensure that parts meet performance specifications for resistance, time-to-trip (TtT) and hold current at three temperatures (-40°C, 25°C and max T).

“The growing number of electronic functions in vehicles has increased the number of electronic components per unit area and resulted in more compact board designs. The circuit protection devices used in these applications must not only be miniaturized, but must also offer robust and reliable performance characteristics,” said Guillemette Paour, Global Strategic Market Manager for Circuit Protection Devices. “PolySwitch devices help meet strict safety and reliability standards with a compact SMD solution. Additionally, their resettable functionality and their ability to provide both overcurrent and overtemperature protection with a single device help designers optimize board real estate.”

The AEC-Q200-qualified automotive-grade SMD circuit protection devices are characterized by specific additional values determined after stringent testing and have been assigned specific automotive part numbers to reflect their qualifications. The full family of automotive-qualified PolySwitch SMD devices includes more than thirty products in various voltage ranges. They are Pb- and halogen-free, RoHS compliant and are compatible with high-volume SMD assembly processes.