Vishay launches new surge current-limiting PTC thermistor to improve active charge and discharge circuit performance

The self-protection device R25 has a resistance of up to 1 kΩ, can handle DC voltages up to 1200 VDC, and has an energy absorption capacity of 240 J. It is suitable for automotive and industrial applications.

MALVERN, Pennsylvania, USA, and Shanghai, China - March 6, 2024 - Recently, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. announced the launch of a new series of surge current-limiting positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors---PTCEL . Vishay BCcomponents PTCEL series devices have a wide resistance range at 25 C (R25), high voltage handling and high energy absorption capabilities, which can improve the performance of active charge and discharge circuits in automotive and industrial applications.

The device R25 released recently has a resistance value of 60 to 1 k, a maximum rated DC voltage of 500 up to 1000 VDC, 1 k up to 1200 VDC, and a maximum energy absorption capacity of 240 J, which is four times higher than competing devices. Multiple thermistors are connected in parallel and the energy absorption capacity is higher than 1000 J. PTCEL series resistors have an operating temperature of +105 C and a heat capacity of 2.3 J/K for all resistance values.

The new thermistor complies with the AEC-Q200 standard, has self-protection function and no overheating risk. It is mainly used for various overload protection, including AC/DC and DC/DC converters, load dump, DC-Link, battery management, emergency discharge circuits, car chargers, home energy storage systems, motor drives and welding equipment . The components can withstand at least 100,000 surge cycles and have a highly rapid recovery capability under 25 kW power conditions (without tripping).

The PTCEL series is available in two sizes: small resistance PTCEL13R and large resistance PTCEL17 for low energy and high energy applications respectively. All devices are packaged in reel-to-reel packaging with a lead pitch of 5 mm. In addition, PTCEL17R also has 7.5 mm and 10 mm lead pitches, which is suitable for higher voltages. It can also use automatic patch processing to reduce processing costs.

The barium titanate thermistor is composed of ceramic tiles, with tinned CCS leads welded on both ends, and coated with high-temperature resistant silicone paint that complies with UL 94 V-0 standards. The device complies with RoHS standards and is C-UL-US certified with file number E148885. It is suitable for AC and DC use to improve and control safety levels. PTCEL13R and PTCEL17R are available in SPICE and 3D models.

Device specification sheet:

Samples of the PTCEL series thermistors are now available and mass production has been achieved, with a lead time of 12 weeks.