New Industry Products

Pulse Releases New 2525 Flat-Coil, Surface Mount Inductors

July 27, 2006 by Jeff Shepard

Pulse®, announced a new series in its family of flat-coil, power inductors. The PG0426NL series features low direct current resistance (DCR) and high saturation current in a low-profile, self-leaded, surface mount package. The series has the lowest DCR of any inductors of this size and profile and uses an advanced core material that resists thermal aging up to 150°C. These inductors are ideal for use in voltage regulator module (VRM) applications in notebook computers, desktop computers, workstations, and servers as well as dc-dc applications, point-of-load (POL) converters, and other high-density, high-power, high ambient temperature applications.

Pulse's PG0426NL series has a high peak saturation current of 60A and a maximum operating current rating of 34.5A that enables the inductors to handle the high current requirements of microprocessors with significant saturation margin. The DCR of 11.8 down to 1.5mΩ results in lower copper losses and maximizes the current rating for higher component performance and system efficiency. Inductance values for this series range from 1.5 down to 0.1µH.

A key advantage of Pulse's PG0426NL inductor series is the use of an advanced core material that can operate at high temperatures without any core deterioration or an increase in core loss. The core performance was verified by subjecting the core material to system-level testing at a core temperature of 150°C. Results showed that the core material did not exhibit any effects of thermal aging at this high core temperature. The Pulse PG0426NL series performs without degradation in applications with elevated ambient and inductor temperatures.

Pulse's flat-coil inductor windings are made of rectangular copper (flat wire) wound helically, similar to a spring. The rectangular copper wire has a larger surface area than round wire, resulting in reduced skin effect losses. The rectangular wire provides more copper in the same area that round wire would occupy, reducing the direct current resistance in a lower profile volume. The rectangular wire winding also provides a self-terminating lead (no internal solder joints) to increase reliability and reduce cost. The inductors come in an industry-standard 2525 footprint of 7.5mm x 7.0mm max (6.9mm x 6.5mm nominal) with a low profile of 3.2mm maximum height. Low height is important to allow even airflow over the entire circuit board to reduce hot spots. The PG0426NL inductors are RoHS compliant and meet standard EIA481 requirements.

Pulse's PG0426NL Series is available in tape-and-reel packaging with prices starting at $0.45 in quantities of 100,000 pieces or more. Volume discounts are available. Individual part pricing may vary due to order configuration, and shipping destination. Lead time is four to six weeks. Contact Pulse directly for samples.