• New name-In March, our parent company became TE Connectivity.
• New website- TE Circuit Protection launched an updated website in May, www.circuitprotection.com, that is dedicated to circuit protection solutions.
• New products take off- Introduced in late 2010, by 2011 our RTP (reflowable thermal protector) device and the MHP (metal hybrid PPTC) rapidly gained popularity as people learned about their unique benefits. Product of the year win– In December we were notified that the MHP device won a prestigious 2011 “Product of the Year” award from Electronic Products magazine.

Of course we had our challenges in 2011, too. For one, well, our new name. Many still remember when we were Raychem. Then we became Tyco Electronics. Now we’re TE Connectivity, and more specifically to our business unit, TE Circuit Protection. Let’s face it, the history of our name can be a little confusing. But I’m confident that, as in the past, our reputation for providing excellent products under the Raychem brand will soon be synonymous with “TE Circuit Protection.”

On a somber note, 2011 was also the year of the natural disasters in Japan and Thailand. Like everyone around the world, we were saddened by the tragedy and of course we worried about our employees and colleagues in the affected regions where we have manufacturing facilities. Needless to say, we were extremely relieved to learn soon after these events that our people were safe. As with many component manufacturers, the devastation caused disruptions in our supply chain. However, we were soon up and running thanks to the dedication of our employees and suppliers. We’ve learned a lot since then about how to respond to unforeseen events caused by man-made economic crises or by natural ones.

Looking ahead to 2012 and beyond, the future looks bright for TE Circuit Protection. After all, we’re surrounded by electronic devices: TVs, laptops, automotive electronics, not to mention solar panels, wind turbines and E-bikes. And all of these products need to be made as safe and reliable as possible. As the posts from our bloggers can attest, protecting electronic devices has become more important – and more challenging – than ever.

Take for example Barry Brents, who points out in his post the importance of robust ESD protection in our shrinking mobile devices; and Pat Hibbs who tells us why next-generation gadgets using lightning-fast Thunderbolt and USB interfaces will need ever-tinier ESD devices to protect them. Our Faraz Hasan blogs about his article in EETimes describing why HD LED applications need thermal protection, and, finally, Kedar Bhatawadekar covers the challenges designers will face making sure that our futuristic Post-PC devices remain reliable when subjected to thermal, overcurrent, undercurrent and ESD events.

That’s where we come in – literally. For over 30 years TE Circuit Protection devices have been used inside a multitude of products. So, no matter what you call us, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s to a prosperous 2012 from – you got it – TE Circuit Protection.

Figure 1. Typical 8KV ESD pulse simulated by ESD generator. (Click image to enlarge)

Figure 1 shows a typical ESD characteristic curve. To simulate a real world contact discharge event, an ESD generator applies an ESD pulse to the device under test. Characteristics of this test are the short rise time and the short pulse duration of less than 100ns, indicating a low-energy, static pulse. Voltage levels generated by these sources can be extremely high since their charge is not readily distributed over their surfaces or conducted to other objects. While briefly painful, these high voltages are not dangerous to humans because the pulse duration is very short, and therefore the energy present is very low. However, their effect on sensitive electronic components can be very destructive.

Figure 2. Chip scale ESD devices help protect sensitive circuitry from ESD damage. (Click image to enlarge)

Small-geometry semiconductor devices can be damaged due to excessive voltage, high current levels, or a combination of both. High voltage levels can cause gate oxide punch-through, while excessive current can cause junction failures and metallization traces to melt.

Most electronic devices must meet a minimum of 8 kV contact discharge or 15 kV air discharge, based on the international standard IEC61000-4-2. Some silicon devices have built-in protection that is rated up to 2 kV and some have no protection built-in. So in order to enhance their survivability, additional off-chip protection circuits must be designed into the system.

There are two main design considerations in ESD protection design for high-speed I/O interfaces.

1. ESD protection circuits for high-speed I/O interfaces must be robust enough to effectively protect the thin gate oxide in the internal circuits against ESD stress.

2. The degradation of high-speed circuit performance due to the parasitic effects of ESD protection devices needs to be minimized. If the ESD protection device has high capacitance, it can attenuate the signal and cause data loss. At very high frequencies that reach well into the GHz range there may be few components that have a low enough capacitance (less than a picofarad) to prevent signal distortion.
The continuing trend toward discrete component miniaturization often presents designers with difficult and time-consuming engineering prototyping and rework challenges as well as manufacturing process control issues. New, smaller chip-scale ESD devices (down to 0201 sizes) meet the performance requirements for high-speed applications and can also help mitigate assembly and manufacturing challenges.
As shown in Figure 2, chip-scale ESD devices are used to divert a potentially damaging charge away from sensitive circuitry and protect the system from failure. Combining the advantages of an active silicon device with a traditional Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) passive packaging configuration, they are easier to install and rework than traditional semiconductor-packaged ESD devices.

Even when you are not deliberately trying to torture your siblings, electrostatic damage to electronic devices can occur at any time, from the factory floor to the end-user’s home. ESD transients may disrupt equipment operation or result in potential damage. Small form factor, low capacitance chip-scale ESD devices offer a simple, cost-effective solution to these challenges.

More on Circuit Protection
TE Circuit Protection offers a variety of Polymer and Silicon ESD protection devices. For more information on our devices you can visit our document library or our website.

This article was originally published on the Power Systems Design online Experts Exchange.

PPTC Resettable Devices
A PolySwitch PPTC device provides resettable OC/OT protection. Basically, it is a conductive polymer-based thermistor. Thermistors are characterized by either negative temperature coefficient behavior (NTC) where the resistance of the device decreases with temperature, or positive temperature coefficient behavior (PTC) where the device resistance increases with temperature.
Since a PolySwitch device is made from a composite of semi-crystalline polymer and conductive particles it is specified as a PPTC device. Other PTC devices can be manufactured from a ceramic composite, and are known as CPTC or ceramic PTC devices. PPTC devices differ from CPTC devices in their size, initial resistance, and time to react to fault events. Both are resettable devices but the PPTC device, compared to a CPTC device of the same hold current, will typically react (trip) much faster because the PolySwitch device is smaller and has a lower resistance.
A PolySwitch device is a thermal device and its operation is based on the overall energy balance it is exposed to. Under normal operating conditions, the heat generated by the device and the heat lost by the device to the environment are in balance at a relatively low temperature. In this condition the device will allow its thermally derated Hold-Current to pass to the load.
If the current through the device is increased while the ambient temperature is kept constant, the temperature of the device increases. Further increases in either current, ambient temperature or both will cause the device to reach a temperature where the resistance rapidly increases.
Any further increase in current or ambient temperature will cause the device to generate heat at a rate greater than the rate at which heat can be dissipated, thus causing the device to heat up rapidly. At this stage, a very large increase in resistance occurs for a very small change in temperature. This is the normal operating region for a device in the tripped state (high resistance). This large change in resistance causes a corresponding decrease in the current flowing to the circuit. This relation holds until the device resistance reaches the upper knee of its resistance v. temperature curve. As long as the applied voltage remains at this level, the device will remain in the tripped state (that is, the device will remain latched in its protective state). Once the voltage decreases, the power is removed, and the device cools, the device will reset, and return to low resistance.

Bi-Metal Breakers
The basic operating principle of a bimetal breaker is simple and effective. At the heart of the device is a bimetal snap-action disc. When the temperature of this disc reaches its pre-calibrated temperature, it snaps open, resulting in an open circuit. This temperature can be reached during a fault condition – caused by an increase in ambient temperature, an increase in current flowing through the disc, or a combination of both. After the device breaks the circuit and the system cools the bimetal will automatically reset, allowing power/voltage to be restored to the load circuit. As described, a bimetal and a fuse will go open circuit once activated. However, unlike a fuse a bi-metal can automatically reset, and is not latched open when it is in its activated state, potentially creating a hazard to the user. This can be compared to a PPTC device, which does not open like a bimetal and is typically “latched” (high resistance) until the user resets the system.
Other shortcomings of a bimetal include the potential for “arcing” across the terminals each time it opens. This can ultimately lead to the bi-metal fusing closed so that it will no longer function as intended. Because the bimetal can automatically reset even when the fault is still present it may begin to “chatter”, cycling open/closed, which can introduce large electromagnetic interference (EMI) spikes into the system and/or allow potential hazards to remain on the load.

Hybrid PPTC / Bi-Metal Technology
Concerns about arcing, especially in high-rate-discharge battery pack applications, have led to the development of TE Circuit Protection’s MHP (Metal Hybrid PPTC) device. The device combines a bimetal type device in parallel with a PPTC device, providing both overcurrent and overtemperature protection in a single component.
While it is not a replacement for traditional bimetals, it can be useful in DC-rated designs which require arc-suppressed, latched, high-current protection. The resettable MHP30-36 device, for instance, provides excellent arc suppression characteristics compared to standard breaker devices that must limit the number of switching cycles since arcing between contacts may damage them.
The figure below describes the activation steps of the MHP device:

Activation steps of the Metal Hybrid PPTC (MHP) device.

During normal operation, because contact resistance is very low, most of the current goes through the bimetal.
1. When the contact begins to open, contact resistance increases quickly. If the contact resistance is higher than the PPTC device’s resistance most of the current goes to the PPTC device and no — or less — current remains on the contact, therefore preventing arcing between the contacts. When current shunts to the PPTC device, its resistance rapidly increases to a level much higher than the contact resistance and the PPTC heats up.
2. After the contact opens, the PPTC device starts to heat up the bimetal and keeps it open until the overcurrent event ends or the power is turned off.

As Ty Bowman, Global Battery Market Manager for TE Circuit Protection, states in his blog post: “Li-ion Batteries March into New Markets,” the original intended applications for the MHP family were high-discharge lithium-ion based power tools and use in electric-vehicles (scooters, e-bikes, etc.). Currently higher voltage and hold-current devices are in development to help protect Li-ion battery packs and modules used in solar power systems and other back-up power applications. Since this is a new and unique technology, the best way to understand how the device works is to visit our website under the “MHP” section for several related documents and information sharing sections. This page describes our complete overvoltage, overcurrent, and hybrid protection solutions.

Joe Dinkel, Field Application Engineer with TE Circuit Protection, works with OEM and end-user customers to implement circuit protection solutions. He joined TE in 2007 and has more than 18 years of experience in analog/digital design, application engineering, and safety agency compliance. He received his BSEE from the University Of Florida in 1993.

I recently wrote an article for EE Times‘ SmartEnergy column titled: “PPTC Devices Help Protect High Brightness LEDs“. I invite you all to visit their site and take a look.

It’s an interesting read for anyone who is looking to design in circuit protection for a HB LED lighting system. For more information on circuit protection you can also visit the TE Circuit Protection Knowledge Center. We have a number of application notes and videos to aid you in designing in circuit protection for your applications.

TE Circuit Protection is proud to announce a new online training course available on Circuit Protection University about the Metal Hybrid PPTC(MHP) device. The training module will teach you everything you need to know about the latest circuit protection technology for high-power battery markets. After completing the course you will better understand the features and benefits of the MHP devices and you will also be able to select what applications the various devices are suitable for. To take the course anytime click here.

The EV market is exciting and yet it hasn’t taken off as quickly as, say, the mobile market. For one thing, the speed of adoption of EVs depends on how quickly battery charging stations are rolled out. I see it as a chicken-and-egg analogy; we won’t really see the EV proliferate until we can find a charging station at every petrol station, supermarket and business and, of course, when we can use the same charging plug at any of these stations.

This brings up the issue of creating charging standards for EVs that will help speed the growth of the market. Hopefully the EV market will apply lessons learned from the mobile applications market where electronics designers had to keep up with the requirements of ever-changing USB specifications (e.g., USB2.0, USB3.0, etc.) and consumers were frustrated by carrying around different chargers for different cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. This issue is now being solved by the introduction of the universal USB Charging Specification V1.2, which will allow consumers to use a single charger to power all their mobile devices. It will also help design engineers develop devices for a single type of USB connector.

Similarly, the EV market is creating standards for battery charging, although EVs present more complications since not only the charging plugs but the charging stations themselves must be similar. A 2010 article on the blog carstations.com provides a nice overview of the different types of charging levels that can be used for EV charging, which I summarize below. (The article points out that the function of level 1 and 2 charging stations is only to provide an interface between the vehicle and the electrical grid. The actual charging is done by the vehicle’s battery charger that converts the AC mains power to direct current.)

• Level 1 – You can plug into a 120V, 15 or 20amps household electrical socket, usually used for golf carts and Neighbourhood EVs (NEVs).

• Level 2 – You can plug into a 208-240V household outlet for faster charging of EVs.

• Level 3 –You can charge a vehicle such as a Nissan Leaf to 80% in 28 minutes. Operating at up to 480V DC and 125amps, it’s also known as DC Fast-Charge or DC Quick-Charge. This type of charging is now appearing in North America.

Now for the plugs themselves. In North America the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) created the J1772-2009 standard connector in 2009 for level-1 and level-2 charging, which means that if a car runs out of electricity it can be recharged from a level-1 household socket. The J1772-2009 replaces the now-obsolete AVCON connector introduced in the early 1990s, which was bulky and hard to use. (The UK had a 14-amp type of the AVCON connector that is also obsolete.) The J1772-2009 connector is round and uses an easy-to-handle pistol grip. The Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt are using this same standardized plug and are participating in the U.S. government’s EV Project that is installing charging stations in major metropolitan areas.

However, household power of 120V (Level 1) is mostly found in North America, Japan, and areas of South America, and is non-existent in some parts of the world. Europe, Africa and Australia have 200-240V single-phase power for homes and businesses. This means that Level 2 charging can be done with a domestic plug. In parts of London, for instance, EV owners can use a domestic plug with a user-supplied 240V extension cord that requires no special connector.

The Mennekes connector, made by the company of the same name, is the accepted standard EV connector in Europe, much as the J1772-2009 is the U.S. standard. The charging cable for the connection between the vehicle socket and the charging station has identical plugs at each end with protection against accidental contact so that the user does not have to wonder which end to plug in where. The connector is IEC 62196-compliant, following the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) standard for industrial plugs. To decrease charging time, the Mennekes plug works with both single-phase 230V and three-phase up to 63 amps and 400 Volts. The Mennekes connector also includes a communications interface that facilitates the exchange of data between the vehicle and charging station.

Although inroads have been made for establishing standards for Level 1 and Level 2 charging, EV charging standards are still evolving and future connector formats for Level 3 charging may complicate things further. For now, designers of electronics devices for EVs should welcome the news that governments, companies and automakers are working together to develop EV charging guidelines. For consumers, the question still remains ” Where can I plug in my EV?”

But times they are a-changin’. The need for consumers to cut back on monthly cable or satellite expenses, combined with emerging technology advancements, are positioning HTPCs for growth. Arguably, the HTPC can offer a more cost-effective, solution versus a traditional set-top box, and while it will take some technical savvy and patience to set up, HTPCs can clearly boost the functionality and flexibility of your TV and movie viewing experience.

If you’re one of the many HTPC enthusiasts who have already made the move, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re not, an “ecosystem” of HTPCs throughout the house could save you money every month – if you’re willing to get your hands dirty.

The following provides a technology and cost comparison between the HTPC and the set-top box. Also, based on my own experience with creating an HTPC ecosystem in my own home, I attempt to answer some basic questions for those of you who are considering taking the HTPC plunge, such as:

Why would I switch?
Is it cost effective?
Can I watch the same TV channels as a regular set-top?

Traditional Set-top-Box Solution

Let’s start by comparing a typical set-top box and traditional over-the-air transmission with a CableCARDTM-based HTPC setup. Currently, most consumers use set-top boxes to have DVR (Digital Video Recorder) functionality with access to premium TV channels from satellite, cable, or broadband providers. Service providers typically charge an upfront fee for the box, and monthly fees for DVR access and box-rental.

In the scenario below, a subscriber could be paying $20 to $50/month in set-top rental fees alone, not including the TV subscription package. This is a large recurring cost – but if you’ve deemed that you “need” DVR service and premium channel access, you’ve had to pay for it.

Traditional Over-the-air HTPC Setup

Until recently, consumers who wanted to eliminate their TV monthly bill entirely but still keep DVR functionality had only one option – invest in an HTPC with an over-the-air tuner. By running Microsoft’s Windows Media Center (built into Windows), XBMC (X-Box Media Center), or one of the many other software-front-ends for Linux or Windows, one can turn a PC into a fantastic DVR, and much more.

An HTPC paired with an over-the-air tuner can access 1080i resolution HD broadcast channels for free and record one or many channels with DVR functionality, all while simultaneously watching a recorded movie or live TV show. This is great – but again, there’s more! For example, you can:

• Have remote control of the HTPC from the couch (same experience as a set-top box)
–By adding an IR receiver to the PC via a USB IR receiver dongle, a built-in LCD/IR receiver combination (i.e., Antec Microfusion Remote 350), or by adding a drive bay IR receiver (i.e., Antec Multimedia Station Basic)
• Turn-on/turn-off the PC via remote control
• Use a wireless keyboard and mouse for control of Windows and/or Internet surfing.
–Many small wireless keyboards with a built-in track-pad are available. Some examples are the Logitech diNovo mini and diNovo edge, and the RII Mini Wireless Keyboard
• Play high-quality PC games through wireless controllers
–This depends on the HTPC’s capabilities – some HTPCs are combination gaming systems with high-end graphics cards from nVidia or AMD. A wireless controller such as a Microsoft Xbox 360 Controller for Windows makes high-end gaming couch-potato friendly
• Store and access entire movie, music and photo libraries
• Stream content from Netflix, Hulu and other sites
• Integrate Boxee software, and access many more online streaming channels
• Add hard disc space as needed to create virtually unlimited storage for stored media content
• Save recorded TV, convert it to a smaller file size and resolution (as desired – i.e., with MCEBuddy software) and then transfer to a laptop or tablet PC for offline viewing
• Stream content to other HTPCs in your home; stream from a media server PC in the house, or best yet – use RemotePotato to stream your content from your HTPC to any other PC anywhere in the world!
• Integrate real-time commercial skipping functionality with ShowAnalyzer

The end-user experience is truly fantastic – and with no monthly bills it offers a very compelling solution. Everything is great – with one major exception. No premium cable channels .. arrggh!

New CableCARD-based HTPC Setups

So if you’re thinking there’s no way you could get premium TV channels and lower your monthly TV bills by switching to a HTPC, think again. In early 2010, Ceton launched a quad-tuner PC card that plugs into a PC’s PCI Express slot – and when paired with a rented CableCARD from a cable TV service provider, it has the ability to support high-definition premium TV without a separate set-top box.

Instead of paying up to $20 to rent a set-top every month, the user pays a small fee to rent a CableCARD – typically $3 to $5 per month. The CableCARD is plugged into the Ceton InfiniTV 4, and gives the HTPC access to the same premium TV content as a set-top box, with the exception of pay-per-view (but who needs that anyway if you have an HTPC?). You can then record up to four high-definition channels at once.

But there’s a problem. Cost. A separate Ceton card would be needed for each and every HTPC / TV in the ecosystem, and that could get pricey. Now here’s where things get really interesting:

In May, 2011 Ceton announced the availability of a “Network Tuner” application that enables individual tuners on a single Ceton InfiniTV card to be assigned to network connected HTPCs. Now you can purchase a single Ceton card and have premium, high-def content for up to four PCs throughout the home – or if additional Ceton cards are installed, many more PCs.

To create a full-feature setup on each of the TVs in the “example” house, you could invest in four HTPCs to replace the four set-top boxes. In addition, a Ceton InfiniTV card could be installed in one of the PC’s, and stream a single channel to the other PCs throughout the home, or install another card in the PC and stream more than one channel.

In July, 2011, Silicondust launched the HDHomerun Prime. A concept similar to the Ceton InfiniTV 4, except the HDHomerun Prime is a network-connected stand-alone box that can accept one or two, depending on the model, CableCARDs.

A single HDHomerun Prime can stream up to six premium channels from up to two CableCARDs to as many as six PCs at once – and reallocate its tuners to different PCs depending on the individual PC’s viewing / recording needs. In addition, you can install multiple Primes on the home network to stream theoretically “as many as you want” channels to PCs. This is limited by network bandwidth and the number of CableCARDs you have installed.

Best yet, all of the premium TV channels can be viewed through Windows Media Center with full DVR capability!

Cost / Benefit Analysis

OK, so HTPC is a killer application for those who are brave enough and savvy enough – but how much can I expect to save on a monthly basis by switching? Short answer: it depends.

If you are one of the many consumers that desire DVR functionality but only watch local TV channels, an over-the-air HTPC setup is optimal.

If you are a consumer paying big bucks for monthly set-top box rentals and you require DVR functionality and premium TV channels you may save some money – but it really depends on how elaborate a setup you need.

A very basic HTPC capable of 1080p resolutions and limited DVR storage can cost approximately $350. A higher end HTPC capable of 1080p, integrated Blu-Ray playback, 3D playback, and 2TB of storage could set you back a grand. On the extreme side, a combination home theater and gaming PC could run $2k.

So in the end how much money you could save depends on how much functionality you’re trying to incorporate, as opposed to a “typical” set-top.

Let’s walk through a simple example clarify this.

Low-end HTPC setup:
- Two basic HTPCs – approximately $700 in initial investment
- One CableCARD tuner – approximately $250 in initial investment
- One CableCARD – approximately $5/month rental fee

In this example, with approximately $1k investment, you may be able to cut $30/month set-top rental fees down to $5/month. It would take just over three years to recoup the initial $1k investment. After that, the savings go straight into your pocket – assuming you don’t continue to upgrade your setup!.

So whether or not you’d save money in switching to HTPC + CableCARDs really depends on how much you’re paying for set-top rental fees today, how much you value the added functionality an HTPC can give, how much you want to spend on the HTPCs – and if you’re a technology enthusiast willing to experiment and maintain the setup.

Protecting Your Investment

If you’ve made the decision to switch, welcome to the club. You’re likely hooked on the added functionality and the coolness factor – and if you’re like me, you want to protect your investment, your setup, and your stored content. So here are a few things to consider when thinking about safeguarding your new investment:

ESD / EOS Damage

Did you know that hot-plugging HDMI, USB, eSATA, RF coax, or other cables can create cable discharge events and/or electrostatic discharge (ESD) events that can destroy your TV, HTPC, over-the-air tuner, HDD/SDD or other critical components?

Did you just receive a new do-it-yourself (DIY) bundle of computer components in the mail and can’t wait to assemble your first HTPC – only to experience the dreaded DOA (dead-on-arrival) of a major component?

Your component may have been damaged by ESD or EOS (electrical over-stress). When choosing your components, make sure to ensure that it has built-in ESD, overcurrent, and temperature protection. Even more specifically, ask if the component has robust protection built-in such as 15kV or higher ESD contact discharge.

Overcurrent Damage

Here’s another factor to consider – short circuits on your USB, VGA, HDMI and other I/O ports. When you’re building your PC, have you ever accidentally plugged a USB cable in to incorrect motherboard header pins? Have your fan blades ever been stalled by a rogue wire that got in the way? Do you have a cable that your cat has chewed through? Your PC may have experienced an overcurrent event and you didn’t even know it.

Circuits do short out … it just happens. From fans to output ports to WLAN PCI cards. The critical thing here is to ensure these interfaces are protected from overcurrent events with the appropriate resettable overcurrent protection devices. These protection devices work by limiting the current during a short circuit, and when the short goes away the devices return to “normal” mode.

Temperature

OK, one more. Does your PC’s temperature get exceptionally hot in your audio/visual rack? Are you concerned something in the case may “die” from the excessive heat?

From fan-controllers to tricked-out copper processor heat-sinks, HTPC enthusiasts know the importance of thermal control.

I’d like to hear how you’ve addressed thermal management in your setup – and specifically, is there any particular functionality that you crave and that nobody offers today?

Bottom Line

The potential of HTPC design and home theater setups is vast – you can read blogs, reports and forums for days before you become familiar with the lingo. But, if you’re willing to take the time, the experience of building your own HTPC setup can be very rewarding.

Not only will you have the coolest gadgets on the block, but you will also learn a lot about the latest and greatest technology advancements, how things work, what you could do better and why – and most importantly, you can potentially save some money.

We’d like to hear about your HTPC setup, what challenges you’ve faced with circuit protection, and how we can help manufacturers make the products you buy better, safer, and more reliable.

“…an event with the following three attributes. First it is an outlier, as it lies outside the realm of regular expectations, because nothing in the past can convincingly point to its possibility. Second, it carries an extreme impact. Third, in spite of its outliers status, human nature makes us concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it explainable and predictable.”
Could this description be relevant to circuit protection designs? I suggest that it can, based on these observations.

Proper circuit protection design must take into account the outliers, “outside the realm of regular expectations,” which can have an extreme impact, such as product recalls or a tarnished brand. And, should product failure occur, a consultant, a safety engineer, or a senior design engineer will often “concoct explanations for its occurrence after the fact, making it explainable and predictable.”

The experienced system engineer strikes that perfect balance of understanding product specifications – including safety requirements, cost, lifetime expectations, market needs, etc. – with an ability to manage the full design from concept to finished product. Typically, this is based on part or all of the philosophical definition of experience, which is “all that is perceived, understood, and remembered.” For those design engineers who are asked more and more frequently to design outside their core experience, if the non-core field includes circuit protection, knowing what might be a Black Swan can be challenging.

Fortunately, for those designers who find themselves in this situation, our Circuit Protection Knowledge Center offers a wealth of information – application notes, White papers, instructional videos, and selection guidelines for a wide variety of industries and applications. For regulated industries, such as telecom, which have standards/regulations that are suggested or mandated (based on Black Swans of the past) we offer material that can help the engineer comply and/or meet product design guidelines. And for those designing for unregulated industries with unique circuit protection requirements, our experienced Circuit Protection Field Application Engineering team is available to provide insight and guidance on potential Black Swans.

We invite you to visit the new Circuit Protection web site, and take a look at the materials and tools that can help you improve the efficiency, safety and reliability of your current and future designs.

Genaro Maldonado is the Americas Distribution Sales Manager, for TE Circuit Protection. Genaro joined TE Connectivity in 1999, and has experience in Sales, Distribution, and Field Support in Circuit Protection, and Power Supply design/production. He received his BSEE from The University of Texas at Austin.