Larger current capacity key pursuit in high-current power inductors

Suppliers of high-current power inductors target to achieve at least 150A rated current to enhance component reliability amid upgrades in applications.

China power inductor manufacturers turning out high-current types sustain work on improving product reliability to keep up with steeper requirements in applications, and boost competitiveness. They target climbing demand in computers, automotive electronics, communications and industrial equipment, and the military field to continue benefiting from an annual sales growth above 10 percent.

Companies plan to bring rated current to 150A and higher in the next two years from 80A maximum that can be achieved by the majority at present. P&Z Electronics Ltd has realized 90A and will put 150A units on R&D agenda in 2019.

Compared with other power inductor kinds, the component provides enhanced EMI suppression, and exhibits ultralow noise, and reduced magnetic loss and DC resistance in elevated-frequency and -temperature applications.

Due to the high technology involved in production, the type represents a minority in China's power inductor line, with a share of shipments at less than 10 percent. It has a small number of suppliers as well. This will, however, change in the years ahead as manufacturers continue bolstering production and more makers from the power inductors segment begin to turn out such kinds.

Dongguan TNK Electronic Technology Co. Ltd and P&Z plan to raise their volume anew in 2019, spurred by rising demand. The first will maintain a 10 percent increase. The category accounts for 1 percent of latter's total shipments at present. P&Z began offering high-current power inductors only in 2017.

About 100 suppliers make up the line in China, and over 60 percent are homegrown operations exporting between 20 and 80 percent of turnout to Europe, the US and Asia.

Over half of the companies, including those with foreign investment, are in the Pearl River Delta region. The major city locations include Dongguan and Shenzhen in the province of Guangdong, and Xiamen in Fujian. Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are hubs as well. There are also suppliers outside these established electronics hubs. The latter includes the provinces of Shaanxi and Sichuan.

DIP, SMD types

Makers offer high-current power inductors in SMD and DIP configurations for a variety of applications. The last includes computers, automotive electronics, LED drivers, and communications, medical, military, space and aviation equipment.

P&Z has an SMD series for DC-DC converters used in CPUs in notebook PCs and onboard power supply modules in server VRMs. At Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology Holding Co. Ltd, there are SMD units for portable communications devices, laptops and LCD TVs. Dongguan TNK's SMD range includes those for power supplies and inverters.

Huizhou Baohui Electronics Technology Co. Ltd's DIP model comes in variants that match requirements in PV grid-connected inverters, UPS, variable-frequency power supplies, and new energy inverters and converters.

Units in packages for surface mounting account for 60 percent of local production and DIP types the rest. The mainstream selection has high Q value and anti-EMI attributes, and low DC resistance, magnetic loss and noise. Current handling is up to 80A, while high-end models have at least 100A. Releases have built-in protection against thermal and mechanical shock, vibration and moisture.

Between 20 and 60 percent of output is based on custom specifications.

Most companies turn out CE-approved, RoHS-compliant and UL-listed products.

The key components and materials such as magnetic cores, ferrites, copper wires, silver paste, bobbins and cases come mainly from the domestic supply. Makers turn to foreign providers only when required.

Although the cost of manufacturing inputs rose slightly in the past year, the majority of makers did not adjust product prices to stay competitive. In 2019, outlay for materials and components will stabilize and keep quotes unchanged.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in high-current power inductors from China makers.

SMD power inductor with 15.5A saturation current

This magnetically shielded SMD power inductor from Dongguan TNK Electronic Technology Co. Ltd, SMPI0603-1ROM model, has 1µH open-circuit inductance, 10mohm maximum DC resistance and 15.5A saturation current. The RoHS-compliant unit operates in -40 to 125 C. Applications include power supplies and inverters.

An order of at least 5,000 units is for delivery with 15 days.

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68µH power inductor has ±20% tolerance

Model MS124-680MT power inductor from Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology Holding Co. Ltd has 68µH inductance, ±20 percent tolerance, 220mohm maximum DC resistance and 1.5A saturation current. The unit is used in portable communications equipment, notebook computers, LCD TVs and DC-DC converters.

The maker requires a minimum order of 10,000 units. Delivery lead time is 14 days.

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Power inductor has 100 to 1,000A saturation current

Huizhou Baohui Electronics Technology Co. Ltd's Power Inductor#8375 model has 100 to 1,000A saturation current and 3,000 to 4,500V insulation voltage. The unit suits PV grid-connected inverters, UPS, variable frequency power supplies, and new energy inverters and converters.

The minimum order is 200 units for delivery within 20 days.

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0.36 to 47µH power inductors

For DC-DC converters in laptop CPUs and thin onboard power supplies in server VRMs, P&Z Electronics Ltd's PSM-1350 Series of power inductors have 0.36 to 47µH inductance and 0.74 to 116mohm typical DC resistance. The rated current is 3 to 42A and the saturation current 5 to 50A. The RoHS-compliant units operate in -40 to 125 C.

A minimum order of 5,000 units is required. Delivery lead time is 20 days.

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