Inrush current limiting PTC thermistors increase performance in active charge and discharge circuits

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has released a new series of inrush current limiting PTC thermistors. Designed to increase performance in active charge and discharge circuits for automotive and industrial applications, Vishay BCcomponents PTCEL High Energy series devices combine maximum energy handling to 340J – five times higher than competing devices at high ambient temperatures – with a wide range of resistance at 25C (R25) values and high voltage capabilities.

Featuring R25 values from 150-Ohm to 1.5kOhm, the thermistors allow increased efficiency and high maximum voltages of 1200VDC. The devices offer high energy handling capabilities at higher ambient temperatures – 180J at 85C and 130J at 105C – enabling designers to save space and lower costs using fewer circuit components. With their high switching temperature and operation to +105C, the series offers a heat capacity to 2.6J/K for all resistance values.

AEC-Q200 qualified and self-protecting – with no risk of over-heating – the thermistors provide current limitation and overload protection in AC/DC and DC-DC converters; DC-Link, battery management, and emergency discharge circuits; on-board chargers; home energy storage systems; heat pumps; motor drives; and welding equipment. The devices withstand >100,000 inrush power cycles for these applications and are highly resilient against non-switching peak power up to 25kW.

The series barium titanate thermistors consist of a ceramic pellet soldered between two tinned CCS wires and coated with a UL 94 V-0 compliant high-temperature silicone lacquer. The devices are available in tape-on-reel packaging and can be automatically handled by pick-and-place equipment for lower placement costs. The thermistors offer a standard lead wire pitch of 10mm, with 5mm and 7.5mm lead wire pitches also available. SPICE and 3D models for the RoHS-compliant devices are available.