Smallest digital temperature indicator protects USB Type-C and USB cables

By Carolyn Mathas, contributing writer

USB Type-C cable connectors are known to suffer overheating damage from rapped dust, dirt or other debris, or deformed pins. These may cause a dangerous temperature increase without increased current. To combat overheating damage, Littelfuse, Inc. has announced the SETP0805-100-CC , the newest member of an expanded PolySwitch setP  series of digital temperature indicators.

These temperature indicators are designed to protect USB Type-C and USB power delivery charging cables using 100 W of power or more. At 100°C, setP devices switch from low resistance to very high resistance, shutting down the flow of power. Once cleared of debris, the cable can be used without incident. (View video  to watch how setP works.)

USB Type-C connectors will reach 5 billion sold by 2021, and the damage caused by overheating is significant.

The compact (0805) size of the setP indicators places them at approximately 50% smaller than competitive solutions that require placement of a device onto the power line. The drop-in setP indicators keep cable surface temperatures safe; cause no disruption of the communications channel; and have a rigid structure that is compatible with assembly and molding operations used in cable and connector manufacturing.

Target applications include consumer electronics, primarily mobile and wearable devices that support USB Type-C cables (with a Type-C plug on each end) and USB Type-C chargers.

Both the original single-end SETP0805-100-SE and new SETP0805-100-CC are available as surface-mount devices in tape-and-reel packaging in packs of 4,000. Minimum quantities are 20,000 pieces.