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Bourns Introduces Family of Polymeric Thermal Cutoff (P-TCO) Devices to Protect USB-C Cables from Thermal Runaway Conditions

RIVERSIDE, Calif., February 27, 2019 - Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today introduced its new family of Polymeric Thermal Cutoff (P-TCO) devices designed to protect USB-C cables from destructive and potentially dangerous thermal runaway events. The new P-TCO family from Bourns offers an optimized overtemperature protection solution for USB C-C, C-B, and C-A connector configurations accommodating USB 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0 protocols, as well as other types of data/charging cables.

Capable of delivering up to 100W of power, the USB Type-C connector features 24 pins in a smaller form factor than previous USB connector designs. While there are clear benefits to its enhanced power features and capabilities, there is also a downside. The combination of increased power and extremely tight pin spacing heightens the potential risk of safety hazards from thermal runaway conditions that could be triggered by dirt or liquid entering the connector and causing a short. Bourns' new P-TCO model series offers a combination of compact, ultra-low resistance thermal protection to help safeguard against these potentially dangerous overtemperature events.

The Bourns P-TCO family features surface mount packaging for automated assembly and low profiles for over-molding considerations. Designed to meet small footprint specifications, the new P-TCO family includes two series: P-TCO-U series in a 1210 footprint, and the P-TCO-N series in an ultra-compact 1206 footprint. Bourns offers the P-TCO device family with a 12V maximum operating voltage rating, and a 50A maximum operating current rating. Each series is available in three different models designed to provide protection for a variety of temperature-current combinations. The ultra-low resistance materials used in the P-TCO family enables both the P-TCO-U and P-TCO-N series to achieve initial resistance values as low as 2 mOhms and post-trip resistance values as low as 14 mOhms, thereby allowing the devices to achieve current-carrying capabilities as high as 4.5 A.

Bourns P-TCO-U and P-TCO-N series of USB-C protection devices as well as the company's entire line of overtemperature protection solutions will be highlighted at Battery Japan, February 27 to March 1, 2019 in booth # W4-68.

Bourns P-TCO family of devices is available now, are RoHS compliant* and halogen free**, are UL and TUV recognized for safety requirements, and are produced in Bourns' IATF-16949 approved facility in Xiamen, China. For more detailed product information, please go to: www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/polymeric-thermal-cutoff-devices-(p-tco).

* RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC Jan. 27, 2003 including annex and RoHS Recast 2011/65/EU June 8, 2011.

** Bourns considers a product to be “halogen free” if (a) the Bromine (Br) content is 900 ppm or less; (b) the Chlorine (Cl) content is 900 ppm or less; and (c) the total Bromine (Br) and Chlorine (Cl) content is 1500 ppm or less.

About Bourns

Bourns, Inc., is a leading manufacturer and supplier of position and speed sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic components, microelectronic modules, panel controls and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, California, USA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including automotive, industrial, consumer, communications, non-critical life support medical (low/medium risk), audio and various other market segments. Additional company and product information is available at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns® products have not been designed for and are not intended for use in "lifesaving," "life-critical" or "life-sustaining" applications nor any other applications where failure or malfunction of the Bourns® product may result in personal injury or death. See Legal Disclaimer Notice www.bourns.com/docs/legal/disclaimer.pdf

Agency Contact:
Annette Keller
Keller Communication
annettekeller1984@gmail.com
Company Contact:
David Scofield
Bourns, Inc.
(951) 781-5054
david.scofield@bourns.com