Tyco Electronics Qualifies Surface-Mount PolySwitch Devices According to AEC-Q200 Standard to Address Miniaturization Trend in Automotive Electronics

MENLO PARK, Calif., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Tyco Electronics announced today that it has qualified its family of PolySwitch nanoASMD, microASMD, miniASMD, ASMD and AHS surface-mount devices (SMDs) to help vehicle manufacturers meet industry safety and reliability standards, reduce system cost and improve the efficiency and reliability of electronics designs. The automotive-grade PolySwitch devices have been tested to follow the guidelines of the automotive industry's AEC-Q200 standard for electronic components.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090915/LA76126LOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090915/LA76126LOGO)

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 degrees C to +85 degrees C, but for higher temperature, under-hood applications the PolySwitch AHS device family is rated up to 125 degrees 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 degrees C, 25 degrees 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.

For further information or technical assistance, call (800) 227-7040, or visit www.circuitprotection.com.

ABOUT TYCO ELECTRONICS

Tyco Electronics Ltd. is a leading global provider of engineered electronic components, network solutions, specialty products and undersea telecommunication systems, with fiscal 2009 sales of US$10.3 billion to customers in more than 150 countries. We design, manufacture and market products for customers in a broad array of industries including automotive; data communication systems and consumer electronics; telecommunications; aerospace, defense and marine; medical; energy; and lighting. With approximately 7,000 engineers and worldwide manufacturing, sales and customer service capabilities, Tyco Electronics' commitment is our customers' advantage. More information on Tyco Electronics can be found at: www.tycoelectronics.com.  

PolySwitch, TE (logo) and Tyco Electronics are trademarks of the Tyco Electronics group of companies and its licensors

SOURCE Tyco Electronics