SCHURTER RTS thermal fuse with low tripping temperature

SCHURTER’s RTS thermal fuse is getting a variant with a tripping temperature of >175°C. The RTS is a compact overtemperature protection device for power semiconductors in SMD technology for high demands.

The RTS (reflowable thermal switch) was developed to protect highly integrated power semiconductors from overheating. Prior to mechanical activation, the thermal fuse can be soldered on conventional reflow soldering machines with profiles of up to 260°C.

Thermal runaway refers to the overheating of a power semiconductor due to a self-reinforcing and heat-producing process, especially when the trend now is towards increasing power density and miniaturisation of electronic circuits. The updated fuse protects these power semiconductors against thermal runaway, acting as a fail-safe device, and interrupts the circuit from as low as 175°C, thus addressing the operating temperatures of common power semiconductors even better.

The overtemperature protection device comes in the same minimal dimensions and maximum breaking capacity despite its additional shunt functionality. With its small 6.6 x 8.8 mm footprint, it can handle operating currents of up to 130 A and rated voltages of up to 60 VDC.

The shunt version has an integrated resistance with low temperature dependence. This resistance is said to enable precise current measurement and additional non-thermal circuit protection, eg, via a controller.