PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) resettable fuses are safety devices designed to protect circuits in high voltage and high-temperature environments. These fuses offer robust and high resistance protection and are resettable with a longer shelf life. They respond significantly to feverish temperatures due to their integral PTC materials with high resistance potential.
How Do They Work?
The PTC resettable fuses withstand normal currents; however, they respond to non-tolerable currents by heating up and bringing the current to normal or tolerable levels. The generated heat reduces the magnitude of the current to a miniature level, depending on the circuit designs of the fuses.
What are the Advantages of PTC Resettable Fuses over Standard Fuses?
PTC technology embedded in resettable fuses enables them to be reset and suit extreme conditions. Whereas standard conventional fuses do not feature reset ability. Furthermore, resettable fuses are constructed from exceptionally durable and unbreakable materials. Other benefits include:
- Resettable fuses feature quicker tripping capabilities with no cycling.
- They are miniatures with less space occupation.
- They are cheaper and more efficient in performance.
- They are easily integrated into defined package designs.
- They feature less initial resistance.
- No arcing during fault conditions.
What are the Types of PTC Resettable Fuses?
These resettable fuses are classified into various types depending on the application they suit. Some of them include:
- Surface Mount (SMD) Resettable Fuses
The surface mount resettable fuses are designed to be mounted on printed circuit boards, allowing current transmission across them. These resettable fuses break the circuit upon sensing overcurrent in the circuit and prevent consistent power flow. Consequently, these fuses protect the circuit and associated devices from damage. Furthermore, they can be repeatedly used due to their reconnection capabilities in normal circumstances.
- Wire-Ended Resettable Fuses
The wire-ended resettable fuses, also found in various lead PCB mount designs, are widely employed for protecting electrical and electronic circuits from overcurrent. These fuses are resettable and devoid of maintenance. They are widely favored for electric devices in various scenarios, such as security systems, telecommunications, and automotives.
Typical Applications of PTC Resettable Fuses
Positive temperature coefficient resettable fuses protect various devices from overload and high temperatures in demanding environments. Some of their applications include:
- Industrial or consumer electronics
- USB ports
- PCs
- Game Consoles
- Mobile Phones
- Automotive
- Rechargeable batteries
- Automotive door locks
- Overcurrent surge protection
- Industrial Transportation
- Communication Devices
- Security Systems.
