Tyco Electronics has introduced a metal hybrid PPTC (polymeric positive temperature coefficient) technology for high-rate-discharge battery applications at ratings above 30V DC or 30A such as cordless power tools, e-bikes and back-up power supplies. This technology uses a hybrid circuit protection approach that combines a bi-metal protector in parallel with a PPTC device. This provides resettable overcurrent protection and uses the low resistance of the PPTC device to help prevent arcing in the bi-metal protector at higher currents, while also heating the bi-metal to keep it open and in a latched position. The device offers enhanced arc suppression characteristics. It can also help reduce the number of discharge FETs and accompanying heat sinks in applications that use IC-plus-FET battery protection designs.
