Electronics Automation

Epcos offers a comprehensive range of high-performance film capacitors to meet the ever-increasing technical demands of the automotive market.

Epcos offers a comprehensive range of high-performance film capacitors to meet the ever-increasing technical demands of the automotive market. Years of experience and exacting quality standards enable Epcos products to meet the stringent electrical, mechanical, thermal and environmental specifications in this market area. Under-bonnet applications such as engine management systems and interference suppression in generators present particularly harsh environments.

Epcos film capacitors can be supplied in either leaded or SMD formats, with an operating temperature range of -55 to +150C, in relative humidities up to 93% to meet these demands.

Vibration is also a key concern in this area; Epcos film capacitors incorporate a number of features such as flat or multipin terminals and low profile design to combat the problem.

Most devices comply with IEC60068-2, 6.

Emerging automotive technologies that include hybrid and fuel cell vehicles and high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting systems, both have requirements for film capacitors.

In hybrid and fuel cell applications Epcos film capacitors act as a DC link in the drive system.

Their long life and self-healing characteristics present particular benefits.

In HID applications, advanced, high reliability Epcos PEN film capacitors that can withstand a current of 500A and have a life of 200,000 pulses are used in ignition units and ballasts.

Now available from NIC Components, a range of 0805 size ceramic chip capacitor arrays that feature reduced trace distance, improving performance for high-speed applications.
Now available from NIC Components, a new range of 0805 size ceramic chip capacitor arrays that feature reduced trace distance, improving performance for high-speed applications. The NCA series has a footprint of just 2.0 x 1.25mm and provides four isolated same-capacitance-value elements on 0.5mm spacing. The small footprint requires less board space, reducing the total cost of both the board and end product.

Costs associated to assembly are also reduced, as there is only one placement instead of four.

NPO and X7R ceramic dielectrics cover capacitance values from 10pF to 100nF, with tolerances of 5 to 10%.

Voltage ratings from 10 to 100V DC are available, and the operating temperature range is from -55 to +125C.

Devices are supplied on paper tape compatible with auto pick-and-placement and reflow soldering.

Farnell InOne reckons it is the first distributor in the industry to gain the British Standards Institute (BSI) RoHS Trusted Kitemark across all its European offices.
Farnell InOne reckons it is the first distributor in the industry to gain the British Standards Institute (BSI) RoHS Trusted Kitemark across all its European offices. The Kitemark is respected across the world as a premier symbol of trust, integrity and quality. Kitemark status across Europe means customers can now purchase RoHS compliant products, endorsed by the Kitemark, from all European locations.

Farnell InOne's robust systems and unique market leading approach of using new part numbers, for all of its RoHS compliant products, ensures a reliable and consistent supply of RoHS compliant products from all of its European offices.

Neil Stanton, Scheme Manager, BSI Product Services commented: 'By investing in the RoHS Trusted Kitemark across Europe, Farnell InOne is making a public commitment to best practice, which builds trust and confidence throughout the supply chain whilst also demonstrating that it has the capabilities to help its customers meet the requirements of the directive'.

Gary Nevison, Head of Product Market Strategy at Farnell InOne, adds: 'This is a major step forward in demonstrating to all our customers that Farnell InOne's market leading approach to RoHS provides a truly reliable service'.

'Gaining the RoHS Trusted Kitemark for the whole of our European businesses is another industry first that we are proud to offer our customers'.

Easby Electronics is offering a range of lower price ceramic chip capacitors with a new dielectric from Kemet.
Easby Electronics is offering a range of lower price ceramic chip capacitors with a new dielectric from Kemet. Ideal for power supply decoupling and other applications in telecommunications, instrumentation and computer manufacture, the new surface mount capacitors feature a low ESR and good temperature stability. The new Kemet X5R surface mount ceramic capacitors are available from 1.5 to 10uF at 10 and 16V DC in 1206 and 1210 case sizes.

By avoiding the use of palladium in their manufacture, the X5R are competitively priced compared to other manufacturers' equivalent products.

The capacitors offer good temperature stability in a temperature range from -55 to +85C.

Together with the low ESR, their stability may make them a more suitable alternative to electrolytics and tantalums in some applications.

The X5R capacitors are available from Easby on tape and reel for automated placement and reflow soldering, with tolerances of +/-10 or +/-20%.

Passive component specialist NIC Components has extended its European distribution channel with the appointment of Deltron as a franchised distributor in Switzerland.
Passive component specialist NIC Components has extended its European distribution channel with the appointment of Deltron as a franchised distributor in Switzerland. The new agreement is in line with NIC Components' aggressive pan-European expansion plans and covers the complete NIC Components product portfolio. This includes capacitors, resistors, inductors and diodes as well as thermistors, varistors and ferrite chip beads.

A key factor in the deal is Deltron's commitment to significant stock levels to ensure rapid response to customer demands.

John Boys, NIC's European distribution sales manager comments: "Deltron is a long-established passives supplier to the Swiss market and is in an ideal position to support NIC in its aggressive pan-European expansion plans".

Rene Medosch, product manager at Deltron adds: "For many years Deltron has used NIC products in its own production so we are fully aware of the high levels of product quality, service and support that they offer.

Now, as a result of the new distribution agreement and our commitment to stocking levels, we can offer our own customers rapid access to the extensive range of NIC products".

Noninductive high-density power resistors provide the means to specify the appropriate wattage to more accurately meet design specifications.
Providing power electronics design engineers with the means to specify the appropriate wattage to more accurately meet design specifications of their applications, TT Electronics BI Technologies SMT Division has further extended its range of noninductive high density power resistors. The BHPR Series resistors are available in a TO-227 style, RoHS-compliant package and are now available in power ratings of 100, 150, 250, 300 and 600W. 'In responding to our customers' design requests, we found that there were many opportunities for higher and lower wattage parts to help 'right-sise' their power supply designs', explained Jim Rieley, Sales Director for the TT Electronics BI Technologies SMT Division.

'The addition of 100, 150 and 600W power resistors will enable our customers to realise cost savings with the selection of the correct wattage for specific applications'.

The high density power resistors are ideal for a wide variety of applications, including power supply snubbers, gate resistors, pulse generators, high frequency amplifiers, and dividers in high-end audio systems.

The BHPR Series resistors have a resistance range of 1ohm to 1kohm, with tolerances to +/-5% and TCRs to 100ppm/C.

The resistors are designed to provide complete thermal flow from the resistive element to the integral base metal flange of the TO227-style packages, giving design engineers the ability to specify them for high-wattage power electronics circuits that can experience elevated temperatures during operation.

The devices are rated for operation from -55 to +155C.

BI Technologies will also produce devices outside these specifications to meet customer requirements, with comprehensive application engineering and design support available for customers worldwide.

ValuePro capacitors are claimed to be similar in quality to the higher priced name brands, yet cost 20 to 30% less.
ValuePro capacitors from Jameco Electronics are claimed to be similar in quality to the higher priced name brands, yet cost 20 to 30% less. The ValuePro line includes more than 600 common capacitors in nine categories including aluminium radial lead-dipped tantalum, electrolytic and ceramic. Many of the products are RoHS compliant.

'The low price of the ValuePro line helps low-quantity buyers compete with high-volume buyers', said Ray Bellantoni, Jameco's Director of Direct Marketing.

'These products demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality electronic components at the lowest possible price', he added.

Jameco's prices are typically 20 to 30% lower than the comparable name brand.

The products are available now through the Jameco catalogue or website.

All Jameco products are backed by the company's low-price guarantee.

If customers ever find a print-advertised price that's lower than an identical item in Jameco's catalogue, Jameco will not only match that price, but will beat it by an additional 10%, right down to the company's cost.

Arcotronics UK has appointed Simon Hall to the position of UK Sales and Marketing Manager.
Arcotronics UK, the leading manufacturer of EMC/RFI filters and tantalum capacitors, has appointed Simon Hall to the position of UK Sales and Marketing Manager. With extensive experience in the EMC filter market, the appointment further strengthens Arcotronics' senior management team, with Hall set to play a key role in developing the company through its next phase of growth. With 10 years experience at Arcotronics, initially as a technical sales manager for the film capacitor division, and later as a senior sales engineer with the EMC filter product division, Hall will now lead the co-ordination and focusing of Arcotronics' EMC filter products in the rapidly changing UK EMC filter market.

With a proven track record in technical operations and sales, Arcotronics will look to Hall to identify new market opportunities and develop customised product support through a wide range of applications.

As Arcotronics' Managing Director, Adrian Flynn, explained: 'Simon will bring invaluable experience to the role of UK sales and marketing manager'.

'In addition to having a wealth of expertise in the filter and capacitor industry, he has a proven track record within the UK marketplace which will be of real benefit to the ongoing development of the company'.

Hall added: 'I am delighted to be appointed Arcotronics' new UK Sales and Marketing Manager'.

'In addition to my role of identifying emerging markets, and developing products to meet these sectors' specific requirements, my aim is to increase distribution growth and support'.

'This will be achieved by raising the profile of Arcotronics in the EMC filter market through, primarily, intensive marketing activities'.

'I am confident Arcotronics will further strengthen its position as a leading player within the industry and look forward to the challenges ahead'.

Easby Electronics is stocking a new range of high reliability aluminium electrolytics from Nichicon which are designed to have less adverse impact on the environment than standard products.

Easby Electronics is stocking a new range of high reliability aluminium electrolytics from Nichicon which are designed to have less adverse impact on the environment than standard products. Ideal for the highest performance switched-mode power supplies, the extremely low impedance capacitors accommodate high ripple currents in small case sizes. The Nichicon HD Series of 105C radial aluminium electrolytics, available from Easby, have rated load lives up to 5000 hours.

Their laminated cases have no PVC sleeving, reducing their effect on the environment when equipment is eventually disposed of.

The CV ratings are stamped on the top of the case, providing clear visibility on densely populated boards.

Available in values from 22 to 6800uF, 6.3 to 50V, they offer extremely low impedances in miniature case sizes.

A 1000uF 6.3V capacitor, for example, has an impedance of just 0.053W, when operating at 20C 100kHz, and has a case size of 10mm diameter by 12.5mm high.

The solvent proofed HD series is suitable for operation in temperatures from -40 to +105C.

Samwha Electric UK is offering two ranges of low impedance radial electrolytic capacitors suitable for use in switch-mode power supplies, or automobile and other applications up to 125C.
Samwha Electric UK is offering two ranges of low impedance radial electrolytic capacitors suitable for use in switch-mode power supplies, or automobile and other applications up to 125C. For applications up to 50V, they have an extra-long rated load life of 8000 hours when operated at 105C. The Samwha RW High Temperature Series of radial aluminium electrolytic capacitors is rated for operation up to 125C, making them suitable for use in severe environmental conditions.

Parts from 10 to 50V have a rated load life of 2000 hours when operated at 125C, but this is extended to 8000 hours if operated continuously at 105C.

They offer a low ESR and impedance, and are able to withstand high ripple currents.

A typical 47uF 35V capacitor has an impedance of 0.16W at 20C and 100kHz.

The RW Series is available from Samwha Electric UK, loose or taped, with capacitances from 0.47 to 470uF, 10 to 250V.

The Samwha RB High Temperature Series also operates at temperatures up to 125C with extremely low impedances at high frequencies.

They also can withstand high ripple currents, but are in smaller case sizes.

A typical 470uF 25V RB Series capacitor, for example, has an impedance of 0.084ohm at 20C and 100kHz, and will withstand ripple currents up to 816mA RMS when operating at 125C and 100kHz.

It has a case size just 10mm diameter x 20mm in length.

The series extends from 1.0 to 15000uF, 6.3 to 50V, and all parts offer a load life of 8000 hours if operated continuously at 105C.