Tyco Offers Polyswitch™ Bladed Device For Automotive Wire Harnesses
Tyco Electronics announced the introduction of a new line of Raychem Circuit Protection PolySwitch™ devices for the automotive market. Said to be useful in helping to provide resettable overcurrent protection for passenger vehicle and heavy truck wire harnesses, the PolySwitch bladed contact device features a 2.8mm form factor to facilitate easy, one-to-one replacement of mini-sized fuses and Type II bimetal circuit protection devices in 12V vehicle systems.
According to Tyco, unlike Type II bimetal circuit breakers – which typically cycle several times before latching – the PolySwitch BD280 device features a no-moving parts design with a resistance switching action that latches immediately following an overcurrent tripping condition that causes the resistance of the device to increase to a high value. Such latching occurs even at lower battery voltage and low environmental temperatures. Since the device has no contacts to arc, erode or weld together, the resettable PolySwitch device is said to offer longer life than bimetal breakers and can provide more reliable performance.
The PolySwitch BD280 device is a constant wattage device, providing virtually constant power consumption across a voltage range of 4 to 14V. The device’s low power dissipation and flatter thermal derating result in less thermal crosstalk between devices than a Type II bimetal circuit breaker. Rated for operating temperatures between - 40 and +125°C, the PolySwitch BD280 device is said to pass more current at higher temperatures than bimetal circuit breakers and is suitable for harsh underhood applications.
The solid-state construction of the PolySwitch BD280 series provides high resistance to shock, vibration and rough handling. The bright color-coded housing and rated current value printed on the top of the device are said to make replacement of automotive fuses and bimetal breakers easy, and help prevent installation errors. The device also incorporates two exposed probe points to facilitate inspection and faultfinding.
The PolySwitch BD280 device is used to help provide resettable overcurrent protection for power window, power seat, and power outlet circuits. Available in current ratings of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30A, the devices meet all applicable SAE and ISO standards.
The units are priced at $1.00 per piece, with a delivery time of 6 to 8 weeks.
