Bourns Expands Innovative Line of Volume, Space-saving GDT Devices with FLAT® Technology

RIVERSIDE, Calif., October 17, 2017 - Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today expanded its standard-setting line of volume and space saving FLAT® gas discharge tube (GDT) surge arrestors. The Model 2018 GDT with FLAT® Technology is a 3-electrode device that delivers a low profile solution for high density and height-restricted PCB-based applications. The new series is lighter weight with a 50 % height reduction compared to standard 8 mm Bourns® GDTs. Bourns designed this latest series as a surface mount device with a large top flat surface, making it ideal for vacuum head pickup in today's high-speed pick and place manufacturing.

The Bourns® Model 2018 GDT with FLAT® Technology is an ITU K.12 Class III device rated at 20 kA¹ on an 8/20 µs waveform. The series is offered with DC breakdown voltages ranging from 90 to 500 V and features an innovative flat design that reduces the height of the Bourns® GDT from a typical 8 mm to a low profile of 3.5 mm.

"Besides saving valuable PCB space, these new 3-electrode FLAT® GDT devices help to reduce component count in space-constrained designs. The series provides the ability to protect both Line to Ground and Line to Line with a single Model 2018 FLAT® GDT, which previously required two GDTs," said Kurt Wattelet, product line manager at Bourns, Inc. "As a 3-electrode GDT, transverse voltage limiting performance is enhanced with the ability to share a common center electrode designed to allow both sides of the GDT to turn on quickly resulting in balanced operation."

Pricing and Availability

The new Bourns® Model 2018 Series GDT with FLAT® Technology is available now and is RoHS compliant*. As a pricing reference, the Model 2018 Series is priced at $0.98 each in 100 piece quantities. For additional product specifications, please go to: www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/gas-discharge-tube-(gdt)-surge-arrestors/3-electrode-gdts/flat-series-3-electrode

¹ Total current rating through center electrode, half value each line to center electrode.