To address the growing need to increase reliability and safety in extremely harsh automotive environments, TE Connectivity's Circuit Protection business unit (TE Circuit Protection) has introduced a High-Current Reflowable Thermal Protection (HCRTP) device. Specifically suited to high-power, high-current automotive applications - such as ABS modules, glow plugs and engine cooling fans - the robust HCRTP device (model: RTP200HR010SA) can withstand hold currents of up to 90 A at room temperature (23 ºC) and 45 A at 140 ºC. In addition to helping automotive designers comply with stringent AECQ automotive standards (including the AECQ vibration test), the surface-mountable HCRTP device speeds installation.
The HCRTP device builds on TE Circuit Protection's RTP technology. This technology helps protect electronic systems in the event that power FETs, capacitors or other power components fail due to increased resistance, thus causing thermal runaway. The innovative technology utilizes a one-time electrical activation process to become thermally sensitive. Prior to activation, the HCRTP device can withstand lead (Pb)-free solder reflow processes up to 260 °C without opening. But following installation, the one-time electrical arming process initiates a lower thermal threshold of 210 °C. After arming, which is typically done at end of line testing after reflow, the device will open when the critical junction exceeds the 210 °C open temperature.