Littelfuse Introduces First Sealed Surface Mount Fuse Designed for Intrinsically Safe Protection

Littelfuse, Inc., a global leader in circuit protection solutions, has introduced the first sealed surface mount fuse designed specifically for intrinsic safety in hazardous and explosive environments. This innovative product has successfully passed UL913 certification, ensuring compliance with strict safety standards for use in areas where flammable gases or dust may be present.

Under overcurrent or short-circuit conditions, the PICO® 304 Series Surface Mount Fuse features a 1 mm thick seal that significantly reduces heat generation and prevents internal sparks or arc flashes from coming into contact with the surrounding environment. This design eliminates the need for potting or coating PCBs and components, which not only saves production time but also lowers overall manufacturing costs, making it a cost-effective solution for end users.

PICO® 304 Series Products

The PICO® 304 series is rated at 277VAC/DC with a breaking capacity of up to 1500A, making it ideal for barrier circuits, intrinsically safe circuits, and non-intrinsically safe applications. With current ratings ranging from 50mA to 750mA, this series is perfect for limiting fault currents, reducing the power rating requirements, and minimizing the size of downstream components, wiring, and board traces.

This series finds its application in a wide range of industries, including electrical and electronic equipment, motor controllers, communication devices, battery chargers, process control systems, sensors, lighting, and more. It's especially valuable in oil, gas, mining, chemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing environments where safety is critical.

"The PICO® 304 Series fuses are the first surface mount fuses with a sealed body rated at 250V or higher," said Tim Patel, Global Strategic Marketing Manager at Littelfuse. "This compact fuse helps designers of intrinsically safe devices save space while still meeting all necessary safety certifications without the need for costly and time-consuming sealing or coating processes."

Key Advantages of the PICO® 304 Series:

• Sealed package design ensures safety in hazardous areas by preventing sparks from igniting explosive gases or dust.
• Eliminates the need for potting or sealing the board, saving time and reducing the total cost of the final product.
• Complies with UL913, IECEx, and ATEX standards, enhancing the safety of equipment used in hazardous environments and protecting workers.
• Offers a high breaking capacity of up to 1500A and current ratings from 50mA to 750mA, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Availability

The PICO® 304 Series fuses are available in a 24mm surface mount tape and reel packaging, with a minimum order quantity of 100 or 800 units. Samples can be obtained from authorized Littelfuse dealers worldwide. To find a list of authorized distributors, visit Littelfuse.com.

More Information

For detailed information about the PICO® 304 Series, visit the official product page on the Littelfuse website. If you have technical questions, feel free to contact Tim Patel, Global Strategic Marketing Manager, directly for assistance.