RESETTABLE CIRCUIT PROTECTION

When it comes to Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient (PPTC) circuit protection, you now have a choice.

Polymeric fuses are made from a conductive plastic formed into thin sheets, with electrodes attached to either side. The conductive plastic is manufactured from a non–conductive crystalline polymer and a highly conductive carbon balck. The electrodes ensure even distribution of power through the device, and provide a surface for leads to be attached or for custom mounting.

The phenomenon that allows conductive plastic materials to be used for resettable overcurrent protection devices is that they exhibit a very large non–linear Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) effect when heated. PTC is a characteristic that many materials exhibit whereby resistance increases with temperature. What makes the polymeric conductive plastic material unique is the magnitude of its resistance increase. At a specific transition temperature, the increase is resistance is so great that it is typically expressed on a log scale.

APPLICATIONS

The benefits of polymeric Resettable Overcurrent Protectors are being recognized by more and more design engineers, and new applications are being discovered every day.

The use of polymeric types of devices have been widely accepted in the following applications and industries:

• Personal computers

• Laptop computers

• Personal digital assistants

• Transformers

• Small and medium electric motors

• Audio equipment and speakers

• Test and measurement equipment

• Security and fire alarm systems

• Personal care products

• Point–of–sale equipment

• Industrial controls

• Automotive electronics and harness protection

• Marine electronics

• Battery–operated toys