Online facility allows designers to build free passives sample kit

Published May 7 2008 

A free online facility that allows design engineers to build their own sample kit is now available from Texim Europe. With the NIC Components Quick Kits potential users can specify a range of technologies that they want to evaluate for their designs.

The on-line list of passive components details key specification points for each part number, including type, dimensions, tolerance etc. A photograph of each component is also included to help speed selection. The Quick Kit program offers more then 700 different products available for immediate shipment with delivery to any specified location in Europe within five working days.

The Quick Kit program includes : SMD aluminum capacitors, SMD power inductors, current sensing resistors, precision thin-film SMD inductors, chip varistors, safety capacitors, low-ESR capacitors - all of which RoHS compliant.

The Application areas that this program covers presently focus around power management, circuit protection and high=frequency applications and offer a strong differentiator when engineers are considering various options for sourcing their passive requirements. The parts are shipped in a special Quick Kit box that provides convenient and safe storage of the components, says the company.

Published Apr 11 2008

Several case sizes, from NIC Component’s popular NAZT series of surface-mount aluminum electrolytic capacitors, are now rated to +260C - the current maximum recommended temperature for Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) alloy lead-free reflow solder processes.

The improved construction allowing higher soldering temperature combines low ESR, long life, and high ripple current ratings making them ideal for use in a wide range of power management applications including DC-DC converters and DC-AC inverters.

NAZT device case sizes measuring 4mm, 5mm, 6.3mm and 8mm diameter are suitable for exposure to the higher temperature SAC process. Parts are available with capacitance values of between 4.7uF and 1000uf and voltage ratings of 6.3VDC to 50VDC. 4mm, 5mm and 6.3mm diameter components specify an extended load life of 2000 hours, whilst 8mm diameter parts are rated to 5000 hours (both at 105C).

Larger case size devices (10mm, 12.5mm and 16mm diameter) from the NAZT range are suited to lower SAC solder alloy processes of between 235C and 250C. All devices in the series have an operating temperature range of -40C to +105C. Each part number contains a peak soldering heat code for ease of reference. The NAZT series is supplied in tape and reel packaging ready for automated pick-and-place assembly processes, says the company.

Versatile radial electrolytic range now has 63V and 100V devices

Published Jan 17 2008

With the addition of 63VDC and 100VDC parts, NIC Components  has extended its popular NRSG radial leaded miniature aluminum electrolytic capacitor range.

Characterized by ultra-low impedance, long life and high stability at low temperatures, the NRSG series is seen as ideal for use in industrial control applications such as switching power supplies and converters.

Now with an overall voltage range of 6.3VDC to 100VDC and capacitance values from 6.8µF to 6800µF, the series provides electronics design engineers with a wide choice of components for their applications. Devices from the range have an operating temperature range of -40C to +105C.

Case sizes as small as 5mm x 11mm (for a 6.8uF, 100V device) allow the RoHS compliant capacitors to be designed into densely populated PCBs. A life expectancy, depending on part number, of between 2000 and 5000 hours at 105C allows these parts to be used in applications with high ambient temperatures, says the company.

Capacitors provide memory back-up in a wide range of applications

Published Jan 18 2007

A new range of SMT capacitors designed to provide memory back-up under power failure conditions has been announced by NIC Components. The NEXC series offers the novel ability to conventionally mount this V-chip style device. The company also offers five series of leaded parts for through-hole applications providing a breadth of range to address most applications.

On-board memory has become a key feature of many pieces of electronic equipment. This has created a need for reliable, small form-factor power back-up to ensure retention of data in situations where power is lost or interrupted, says the company.

The surface mountable V-chip style NEXC series has a double layer construction and is housed in low-profile cases. Capacitance values range from 0.047F to 1F and rated voltages are 3.5VDC and 5.5VDC. Operating temperature range is -25C to +70C, and a lead-free RoHS compliant finish is offered as standard.

Leaded solutions to memory back-up are provided by the NEXA, NEXG, NEXM, NEXT and NEXS series. The ranges are offered with a wide choice of capacitance values between 0.01F and 5.6F, and voltage values between 3.5VDC to 12VDC. All have a double layer construction and meet RoHS requirements. Operating temperature range for the NEXA, NEXG, NEXM and NEXS series is -25C to +70C. The NEXT series is suitable for use between -40C and +85C, says the company.

New ferrite chip beads cut cost of noise suppression

Published Nov 29 2007 

To cut the cost of noise suppression in applications up to 1GHz, high-current chip ferrite beads from NIC Components are now available from ACAL Technology. With alternatives to many leading brands, NCB and NCB-H series ferrite chip beads can be used to replace higher-cost chip beads without compromising compliance. Ex-stock availability of most common values and sizes also helps to eliminate lead-times, says the company.

The NCB series provides current ratings up to 6A in standard EIA case sizes from 0402 to 1812. The NCB-H series is rated for currents up to 5A in case sizes from 0603 to 1812. Both series provide high impedance over a wide frequency range and operate in temperatures from minus 40 to +125C. They are compatible with automated pick-and-place equipment and can be soldered with either flow or reflow techniques.

The NIC QuickKit program also allows engineers to request samples on-line that will be delivered within 7 working days, free of charge, to their desk for testing. The QuickKit link offers over 600 products encompassing the whole NIC product range (capacitive, inductive and resistive product) with the ability to request 10 samples of up to 20 items at one time, says the company

Snap-in electrolytic capacitor range further expanded

Published Nov 12 2007 

With the introduction of the NRLR and NRLRW series, NIC Components has extended its range of snap-in electrolytic capacitors. The two new series offer high capacitance-voltage (CV) performance combined with high ripple current ratings. Suited to high-density circuits they also feature a low-profile design for applications where height is restricted.

The NRLR series has a specified life of 3000 hours at its maximum 85C operating temperature. The NRLRW series meanwhile has the same 3000 hour rating but at 105C making it 'excellent' for applications in demanding environments. Both have a minimum operating temperature of -40C.

Rated voltage and capacitance ranges for the NRLR family are 10VDC to 250VDC and 180µF to 82,000µF respectively. For the NRLRW series, parts are available with rated voltages of between 10VDC and 100VDC and capacitance values of 560µF to 56,000µF.

The NRLR and NRLRW series are fully RoHS compliant. Both have a robust mechanical design that features a PVC patch covered safety vent designed to rupture in the event of high internal gas pressure, says the company.

New SMT aluminum electrolytics reflow up to +260C

Published Apr 3 2007 

New surface-mount V-chip aluminium electrolytic capacitors, from ACAL Components, are designed to withstand reflow soldering to +260C. Manufactured by NIC Components, the six new families of liquid electrolyte, aluminium capacitors are compatible with the Sn-Ag-Cu (SAC) alloy lead-free soldering process which has emerged as the industry-standard replacement for Sn-Pb solder alloys for RoHS-compliant products.

Whilst common SAC solder alloys have a melting point of +217C, the peak reflow soldering temperature recommended by solder manufacturers is between 12C and 43C above the melting point. This enables the solder to achieve suitable wetting and to form a quality solder joint, says the company.

"Offering a range of key performance characteristics such as low ESR, wide operating temperature range, and small form factors, these new capacitors allow designers to combine their optimum performance parameter with the confidence that they are designed for the high temperatures required by RoHS-compliant manufacturing processes." said ACAL Components' Louise Early, general manager for passive, inductive and battery products.

NASE, NAWE, NAWT, NAZK, NAZT and NAZU series capacitors are available in case diameters of 4mm, 5mm, 6.3mm and 8mm. Larger case sizes of 10mm, 12.5mm and 16mm are rated for +250C, +240C and +235C peak reflow temperatures respectively. All are supplied on tape and reel which is compatible with automatic pick-and-place equipment.

These new series cover voltage ratings of between 6.3VDC and 50VDC, with capacitance values from 0.1uF to 6800uF and load-life ratings from 1000 hours to 5000 hours at maximum rated temperatures of +85C and +105C, says the company.