Makers of fuses keep up SMD category expansion

Emphasis is on fuses in chip packages for mobile electronics applications. Companies look to increase the ratio of surface-mount resettable types as well.

As a key component in circuit protection, fuses play a critical role in ensuring optimum performance of electronics products. This is why China suppliers of the safety device are working on further improvements, and highlight efforts to deliver on miniaturization to match the requirement, especially in popular mobile electronics.

Companies continue to release units in SMD configuration. Their typical output is led by those in high-demand sizes such as 0402, 0603 and 0805.

In addition, makers are boosting the production share of resettable kinds in surface-mount packages. At present, such variants represent about 30 percent of their total shipments for the line.

Product development based on customization remains a major pursuit. Fuses in buyers' specifications account for 30 to 60 percent of shipments.

Regardless of type, fuses from China manufacturers comply with various industry quality and safety standards, including CCC, CE, CQC, cUL, KC, PSE, RoHS, UL and VDE.

The local category's expanding market has been pushing up sales, with growth expected to maintain its momentum at more than 10 percent in 2020 and 2021. This has prompted most suppliers to bolster output to meet climbing demand.

Shenzhen Victors Industrial Co. Ltd invested $11.8 million in a new factory, which has a total area of 20,000sqm. In the past year, it posted a revenue increase surpassing 50 percent.

Dongguan Chevron Electronic Technology Co. Ltd spent $0.29 million in building a facility and $0.44 million in acquiring equipment, which will raise production by 15 to 20 percent in coming months. In the past year, it achieved a 15 to 20 percent rise in total sales value.

There are hundreds of makers of fuses in China and the majority are local enterprises operating mostly on a small and medium scale with a workforce below 300. The large ones include Sart, Hollyland, Dongguan Better, AEM and Vicfuse.

The foreign counterparts that are based there include major industry players such as Littelfuse, Cooper Bussmann, UN Semiconductor and Walter.

All companies also offer circuit breakers, thermistors, varistors, sockets and switches.

Most manufacturing facilities are in the electronics hubs in the coastal provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang. New entrants to the line are expected to choose these areas as well.

SMD & DIP selections

China makers offer fuses for voltage protection and temperature protection in one-time and resettable variants, and SMD and DIP forms. The components have a rated voltage of 6 to 60V and rated current of 0.5 to 25A.

Besides 0402, 0603 and 0805, SMD units are also available in larger packages such as 1206, 1210 and 1812. Portable electronics, consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, LED lighting and batteries are among the main applications.

The key materials used in the production of fuses include ceramic, epoxy resin, glass, copper, tin, silver and nickel.

Most makers turn primarily to the local supply for these inputs, sourcing from foreign suppliers only when required.

Material cost has been stable and will remain so in the months ahead. Due to competition, however, there may be another round of price reductions. In the past year, companies lowered their quotes by as much as 10 percent. This time, the adjustments might just be within 5 percent.

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

Fuse in 0603 package

In 0603 size, the soldering-compliant fast-acting fuse, SMDfuses0603size model from Dongguan Better Electronics Technology Co. Ltd, has minimum opening time of 4 hours at 100 percent of rated current and 1 second at 200 percent. The typical opening time is 2 to 4 seconds and the maximum 60 seconds. The unit meets UL and CSA requirements.

The minimum order is 6,000 units. Delivery lead time is 7 days.

Inquire Now

Fuse with ceramic tube, alloy element

This fuse from Dongguan Chevron Electronic Technology Co. Ltd, DBF1032 Series model, has a ceramic tube, silver- or gold-plated brass cap and an alloy element. Its current rating is 20 to 60A. The minimum opening time is 4 hours at 100 percent of current rating and 60 seconds at 200 percent.

The supplier requires a minimum order of 1,000 units for delivery in 5 days.

Inquire Now

Fuse interrupts at 30 to 100kA

The VD Series model from Shenzhen Victors Industrial Co. Ltd is a fuse with 750 to 4,200V voltage, 6 to 1,600A current, and 30 to 100kA interrupting ratings. It meets CE, RoHS, IEC 60260-4, GB 13539 and GBT 21413.5 requirements.

An order of at least 50 units is delivered within 21 days.

Inquire Now

Fuse has 35 to 100A breaking capacity

Rated at 250V, 32 to 100mA or 100mA to 10A, this RoHS-compliant fuse from Xiamen Set Electronics Co. Ltd, SGT520-1-25A-0707 model, has 35 to 100A interrupting rating at 50Hz. It comes with or without lead wire.

The 10,000-unit minimum order is for delivery within 3 days.

Inquire Now