Design-in demand creation specialist to supply a comprehensive range of EPCOS’ electronic components, modules and systems

TTI, Inc., a global distributor of passive, connector, electromechanical and discrete components, has signed a Europe and North America franchise agreement with EPCOS, the worldwide market leader in a number of electronic component technologies including power capacitors, SAW components, surge arresters, thermistors, varistors and piezo actuators. In Europe, EPCOS is the top manufacturer of aluminium electrolytic capacitors, EMC components and filters, ferrites, film capacitors, and transformers and chokes. Because the agreement covers a very wide range of EPCOS’ portfolio, TTI will now be able to offer customers in Europe and North America an even broader spectrum of market-leading products.

Comments Glyn Dennehy, TTI’s Senior Vice President & General Manager Europe: “Products that have been on the market for less than three years make up about 40 percent of EPCOS’ sales. Therefore, the EPCOS franchise perfectly matches TTI’s policy of creating demand by designing-in new parts in new applications. EPCOS is a well-respected brand that stands for quality products and technology innovation. We are delighted to be able to offer EPCOS’ wide range of component solutions to our European and North American customer base.”

Adds Dietmar Jaeger, head of Global Sales Distribution for EPCOS AG: “TTI’s dedication and expertise in passive components offers us great opportunities to further grow our distribution sales in Europe and America. We are looking forward to working with their team.”

EPCOS is organized into three business segments: Capacitors and Inductors, Ceramic Components and SAW Components. With its broad portfolio the company focuses on fast-growing and technologically demanding markets, in particular in the areas of information and communication technology, automotive electronics, industrial electronics and consumer electronics.

» Contact Details for TTI Inc.

Wearnes Cambion polygon termination pins available from Aerco

Aerco now stocks Wearnes Cambion polygon PCB solder pins that offer high current capability at very competitive prices. The use of gold-plated, tellurium copper pins provides a current rating of up to 100A, a figure that far exceeds similar products that use brass pins.

Designed for DC to DC converters these pins are particularly suitable for high performance power supplies and similar applications where a current rating of between 50 and 100A is required.

» Contact Details for Aerco Limited

Advanced Power Components signs distribution agreement with AVX for Hi-Rel products

Advanced Power Components (APC), the specialist UK electronic components distributor, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with AVX to distribute its established range of high reliability capacitors including tantalum, ceramic and other advanced devices. The products will be distributed through the APC Hi-Rel unit.

AVX is a leading worldwide manufacturer and supplier of electronic components based in the United States, specialising in the production of parts for the Military, Aerospace, Space and Medical markets qualified to AS9100, IECQ-CECC, TS16949-2002 and ISO9001-2000 standards. The company also has a number of products qualified to COTS+, ESCC, SRC, MIL and DSCC drawings, as well as optional custom screening and test service capabilities.

Products included in the distribution agreement with APC are:
Tantalum: MIL-55365, CECC, COTS & ESCC
Ceramic: MIL-39014, MIL-55681, MIL-49470, ESCC
Advanced products: RF and Microwave; Glass & Ceramic custom devices; Filters.

Commenting on the distribution agreement, Amanda Parker, APC’s Sales & Marketing Director, said:
“We are delighted to sign this franchise distribution agreement with AVX. By focusing on the AVX range of high reliability and RF products, we are giving our customer base the very best choice for their designs. AVX and its products are synonymous with customers in the high reliability market.”

Lee Thompson, AVX’s European Director for Hi-Rel Products, said:
“AVX has over 30 years of experience in this demanding sector, and the addition of APC to our established list of franchised distributors in the UK further demonstrates our commitment to all high reliability markets. APC plc, through its specialist design and distribution business APC Hi-Rel, has the technical expertise, market knowledge, exceptional personnel and experience to focus on this key product area within our portfolio. We believe that design engineers will welcome this valuable addition to our distribution network.”

» Contact details for Advanced Power Components

RS provides customers with the latest, innovative products

RS Components is the first distributor to be awarded the first-to-market rights for the introduction of the new PSR-TRISAFE, CONTACTRON and power supplies by Phoenix Contact, a leading manufacturer of electrical components and system solutions for industrial and device connection, automation, electronic interface and surge protection.

The new and improved range, launched at the Hanover Fair is available now from RS across Europe, with a global launch to follow shortly. These are the latest products in the Phoenix Contact range that offer customers the most innovative solutions to keep their operations safe.

“Phoenix Contact is pleased to co-operate with RS in the distribution of our new product lines,” said Frank Stuehrenberg, Executive Vice-President Global Sales and a member of the Phoenix Contact Executive Board. “RS´ broad customer base, speed to market and our quality range of products allow both RS Components and Phoenix Contact to expand their market opportunities. With RS’ high level of service and our focus on innovation, this is a partnership enabling us to meet customers’ requirements now and in the future.”

The new Phoenix Contact products have been designed to push the boundaries of innovation. The CONTACTRON motor manager permanently monitors the motor’s effective power. It immediately identifies critical overload / under-load statuses of the motor and gives advanced warning against failures, thus protecting the system and optimising service intervals at the same time.

With their leading technology and high quality, power supply units by Phoenix Contact reliably supply power to the control cabinet. The new and highly functional QUINT POWER SFB with 40 A output current offers SFB (Selective Fuse Breaking) technology and preventive function monitoring in a 96mm wide housing. If the standard thermal-magnetic circuit-breakers up to B25 / C13 are tripped, critical operating conditions are reported before an error occurs.

PSR-TRISAFE is the new configurable safety module. With just one safety switching device, the user can realise the monitoring of the entire safety circuit of an application. With the introduction of new machine safety guidelines and standards by the end of 2009, the PSF-TRISAFE supports the user in every step of implementing the new safety requirements.

Ann-Marie Bosworth, Head of Process Control and Automation at RS Components explains: “We are delighted that Phoenix Contact has chosen RS Components to be first-to-market with their new products. We are committed to working with leading brands to bring customers the newest technologies.”

» Contact details for RS Components

105degC devices target home

TTI, Inc., a global distributor of passive, connector, electromechanical and discrete components, has announced that Omron is extending its popular G2RL power relay with a new, high temperature version, aimed specifically at domestic appliance cooking and other heater control applications involving exposure to higher temperature conditions.

The new Omron G2RL-1A-E-CV is rated for use at temperatures up to 105degC, 20degC higher than standard parts. It also offers superior switching performance with longer electrical endurance of up to 100,000 operations switching 16A at 250VAC at 105degC. Initially released in SPST-NO open form, TTI expects Omron to release the higher temperature versions in SPDT type, and also to offer normally closed (NC) versions.

Available in 24 different models, Omron’s G2RL PCB relay family is ideal for ovens, washing machines, boilers and HVAC equipment. The high sensitivity type, G2RL-H, has a coil sensitivity of 250mW and is available with a UL 1446 Class F Coil Insulation system. The relays conform to VDE (EN 61810-1/EN 60255-23) and UL 508/CSA C22.2 standards and meet VDE0700 regulations for safety of household and similar electrical appliances according to VDE0110.

» Contact Details for TTI Inc.

Farnell Adds 1300 New Products

Farnell, the leading multi-channel distributor, is placing additional focus on multimedia technology with addition of over 1300 new products specifically for use in this pervasive, exciting and rapidly developing area of technology.

Mobile multimedia devices have become affordable mainstream products for the mass market as have technologies such as LCD and plasma television and video servers. Recognising the need to give designers easy access to the very latest technology in this fast moving sector, Farnell now offers a total of 3200 products from over 112 suppliers including industry leading names such as Freescale, Maxim, Texas Instruments and Atmel.

Multimedia also provides the focus for the latest issue of Farnell’s Technology First journal which contains a range of informative articles that aim to help demystify some of the aspects of designing for multimedia applications. Popular regular features such as RoadTest and MarketWatch can also be found in the publication. Downloadable PDF and interactive online versions of the journal are available and can be accessed via the homepage of the Farnell website.

Commenting on the company’s focus on multimedia, Jamie Furness, Technology Development Manager, Farnell said: “Multimedia is perhaps the most rapidly evolving sector of the electronics industry. Consumer driven demand is leading designers to face tough challenges to integrate previously separate functionality into what are often small and portable form factors. Our focus on multimedia is timely and underlines our dedication to giving designers fast access to the very latest multimedia technologies from the most innovative suppliers.”

» Contact details for Farnell

First new approach to circuit protection in a decade

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it is stocking the Bourns’ Transient Blocking Units (TBU™) circuit protection devices. Bourns is a leading supplier of electronic components and integrated solutions since 1952.

The Bourns TBU™ series is the first new approach to circuit protection in a decade. These devices provide an effective barrier in nanoseconds by blocking a transient through a current disconnecting mechanism, rather than diverting or shunting the surge to ground. The TBUs are high speed surge protection designed to protect against short circuits, AC power cross, induction, and lightning surges. All Bourns TBU products are resettable for full functionality after multiple fault events, offer a high bandwidth of 3 GHz, and are designed for telecommunication, industrial, and data communications systems.

Bourns has created four very diverse TBUs with wide ranging impulse and RMS voltages, trigger current levels, and footprints. The P40 series was designed for VDSL protection, the P-G series for voice protection, the C series for general electronics protection, and the P-U series for Ethernet protection.

“Mouser is pleased to offer the Bourns’ TBU, which is truly a breakthrough technology. The addition of these innovative circuit protection devices is in keeping with Mouser’s commitment to provide the latest, state-of-the-art components for our design-engineer customers,” states Barry McConnell, Mouser Senior Vice President of Products.

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.

UK designed PowerShift device achieves highly commended award and $5000 USD prize

Farnell, the leading multi-channel distributor, has announced that the PowerShift Power Controller, designed to switch off non-critical loads during supply/demand imbalances, has achieved a Highly Commended Award and a $5000 USD prize as part of Premier Farnell’s global Live EDGE – Electronic Design for the Global Environment competition.

Designed by John Tillson from England, a Principal Engineer for Echostar Europe, the PowerShift Power Controller works by detecting the peak times of electrical power usage. It then switches off any suitable electrical appliances for a short time to reduce the peak load presented to the power grid.

Mr Tillson originally came up with the idea after watching a television documentary that highlighted the National Grid’s requirement to supply more power to households during peak times of electrical usage. A good example would be during advertisement breaks in popular television programmes when millions of people may switch on their kettles at the same time.

“I recognised that there was a need for a device that could be used to support acute power surges within the home. A device that would allow certain electrical appliances to be temporarily switched off to offset the power to be used elsewhere, lessening the impact on the national grid,” said John Tillson.

Commenting on the award, Alan Paterson, General Manager, Farnell UK, said: “My congratulations go to John for his innovative design and for achieving a highly commended award in this well represented global design competition. John has shown a great deal of initiative and drive by creating such an inspirational design solution, and all in his spare time. I wish him the best of luck for the future and hope that he is able to move the PowerShift Power Controller forward to the manufacturing and distribution stages.”

» Contact details for Farnell

Anglia signs new power line

Anglia is strengthening its support of automatic meter reading, green energy and other expanding power markets with the announcement of a new a franchise agreement with Maxwell Technology, developer of the award winning Ultracapacitor energy storage and power delivery technology.

According to Maarten van der Reijden, Maxwell Technologies’ Business Partner Manager, the appointment was down to the strength of Anglia’s technical support. “Ultracapacitor is an innovative technology on a fast growth ramp. We’re looking for a distributor who could partner with us to identify opportunities where this technology can make a real difference to customer’s designs. Anglia offers a very strong technical focus and fits that profile exactly.”

The signing nicely complements existing Anglia franchises in the power and energy markets, believes, John Bowman, Anglia’s Divisional Marketing Manager. “Maxwell Technologies’ products fit perfectly within our power portfolio, and complement our activities within the consumer, industrial, and renewable energy markets. Their technology has great potential on projects that we’re already aware of and will equally appeal to new customers. Maxwell is seeing 60-70% growth on this product line, we are extremely excited at the opportunity to work with them and expand the market for their technology.” He added, “Their products are ideal for any application requiring a short burst of high power.”

The award winning Ultracapacitors, available in single cells, or multi-cell packs, from 10 Farads to thousands of Farads, bring new levels of efficiency and power to everything from consumer electronics to hybrid cars and renewable energy sources.

» Contact details for Anglia Components Limited

MCU family features on-chip USB, Ethernet, CAN, and encryption

Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it is stocking the Freescale Semiconductor MCF5225x family of ColdFire® Microcontrollers. Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors.

The ColdFire MCF5225x family of microcontrollers is supported by complementary and ready-to-go Freescale MQX™ RTOS, software stacks, training resources, and a suite of third party solutions. The Freescale MCF5225x MCU consists of a RISC microprocessor based on the V2 ColdFire core that operates at a frequency up to 80 MHz. The family’s on-chip memories include up to 512 KB of Flash memory and 64KB of SRAM.

» Contact details for Mouser Electronics, Inc.