A particularly compact reflowable thermal switch is designed to provide thermal protection for power semiconductors such as MOSFETs, ICs, IGBTs, TRIACs, and SCRs. Due to their inherent self-reinforcing heat-producing behavior, these semiconductor devices can overheat and go into thermal runaway. The RTS is designed to protect against such overheating by reliably interrupting the circuit precisely at a pre-defined temperature.

The RTS can be mounted using conventional reflow soldering techniques with temperature profiles up to 260°C. After the solder process, the RTS is mechanically activated by depressing the top into place, arming the RTS to trip at 210°C. Activation can be performed manually or automatically in the case of several devices being activated at once. In contrast to devices using electrical activation, with an additional contact, the status of the RTS is clearly and immediately visible to the installer. The need for an additional contact is also eliminated.

The RTS sustains operating currents up to 100 A at rated voltages of up to 60 Vdc in a remarkable compact package measuring 6.6×8.8 mm in size. Customer-specific versions are available. Added features include integrated shunt or over-current protection, resulting in less space consumed on the printed circuit board.

The RTS meets the high reliability requirements of AEC-Q200 and MIL-STD. Pricing for the RTS starts at $ 1.55 each in 100-piece quantities. Packaging is 100 pieces or 750 pieces in blister tape and 33-cm reel.

Data sheet link for the RTS is www.schurter.com/en/datasheet/RTS. Video demonstrating reflow and activation can be view at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPZ3gRtlzcI and an application note is at
www.schurter.com/content/download/2357131/40537784/version/17/file/ApplicationNote_ThermalRunaway_EN.pdf.

Schurter Inc., 447 Aviation Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 95403, 707 636 3000