To answer the threat to modern electronics regarding overcurrent and extremely high temperatures, Schurter introduces the RTS, a fail-safe device consisting of a thermal fuse and a shunt resistor. This combination enables to detect occurring fault (overcurrent) and temperature increase, thus, interrupt them by the thermal protection. As a low-impedance resistor with low temperature dependence, the shunt allows precise measurements of the current flowing through the component, regardless of the ambient temperature.
With shunt, the impedance of the RTS demonstrates a lower temperature dependence
The standard version of the RTS with shunt features a resistance of the measuring sensor of 500 µΩ, with a measurement of the small voltage dropping. A controller processes the measured values received and can react with a separation of the circuit if the current is too high. The RTS thermal protection compliments with the classic overcurrent and is placed as closed as possible to the component to be protected. In case of thermal runaway, the thermal protection provides galvanic separation by separating the component from the circuit.
Fully integrated, the RTS can save costs and increase operational safety
Regarding customer-specific variants, the triggering temperature of the RTS of 210 °C can be set lower or higher for a current problem or a broad range of applications. An overcurrent fuse in the housing of the RTS can also be additionally installed. Consequently, the user can have three products in a single, reflow-solderable SMD component with a low footprint including overtemperature protection, overcurrent protection and a sensor for measuring the current intensity in the form of a shunt.
