Inrush Current Limiters (ICL)

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
B57236S0160M051 TDK EPCOS	ICL 16 OHM 20% 2.9A 11.5MM	3484
MS22 22103-B Ametherm	ICL 220 OHM 25% 3.5A 23MM	0
SL18 10005-B Ametherm	ICL 10 OHM 20% 5A 19MM	0
SL12 50002 Ametherm	ICL 50 OHM 20% 2A 13MM	693
SL22 12102-B Ametherm	ICL 120 OHM 25% 2A 22MM	0
B59215J0130A020 TDK EPCOS	HOUSED PTC THERMISTORS AS ICL, 2	0
MF72-003D15 Cantherm	ICL 3 OHM 20% 7A 17.5MM	479
SL22 7R010-A Ametherm	ICL 7 OHM 20% 10A 22MM	0
SL08 12101 Ametherm	ICL 120 OHM 25% 1A 8MM	0
B57464S0509M000 TDK EPCOS	ICL 5 OHM 20% 9.5A 26MM	409
B57213P0409M351 TDK EPCOS	ICL 4 OHM 20% 6A 14.5MM	1497
MF72-003D11 Cantherm	ICL 3 OHM 20% 5A 13MM	4368
MF73T-1 5/14 Cantherm	ICL 5 OHM 20% 14A 25MM	0
SG306 Ametherm	ICL 2.5 OHM 15% 10A 15.24MM	0
SG250 Ametherm	ICL 120 OHM 15% 3A 23.5MM	0
B57236S0309M000 TDK EPCOS	ICL 3 OHM 20% 11.5MM	3006
B57237S0709M000 TDK EPCOS	ICL 7 OHM 20% 4.2A 15MM	0
MF73T-1 1/32 Cantherm	ICL 1 OHM 20% 32A 35MM	23
SL10 10003 Ametherm	ICL 10 OHM 20% 3A 10MM	0
MS22 10008-B Ametherm	ICL 10 OHM 25% 8A 23MM	0

Inrush Current Limiters (ICL)

1. Overview

Inrush Current Limiters (ICL) are electronic components designed to suppress peak currents during device startup, protecting circuits from thermal and electrical stress. These transient currents, often 10-100 times higher than steady-state levels, occur in capacitive or inductive loads like power supplies, motors, and transformers. Modern electronics increasingly rely on ICLs to ensure system reliability, comply with safety standards, and extend product lifespans.

2. Main Types & Functional Classification

Type	Functional Characteristics	Application Examples
NTC Thermistor ICL	Resistance decreases with temperature rise, self-resetting capability	Switching power supplies, LED drivers
PTC Thermistor ICL	Resistance increases with temperature, latching protection	Motor start circuits, battery management systems
Active ICL	Electronic control using MOSFETs/IGBTs with precise timing	High-precision industrial equipment
Hybrid ICL	Combines passive and active elements for optimized performance	Electric vehicle charging stations

3. Structure & Composition

ICLs typically consist of three key elements:

Sensing Element: Thermally responsive material (e.g., NTC ceramic) or semiconductor junctions
Conductive Path: Silver/palladium electrodes in thermistors or MOSFET channels in active devices
Encapsulation: Epoxy or ceramic coatings for environmental protection

Active ICLs additionally integrate control ICs, gate drivers, and heat dissipation structures.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Description	Importance
Maximum Steady-State Current (I_max)	Rated operational current after inrush suppression	Determines continuous load capacity
Response Time (t_response)	Time to activate current limiting function	Protects against fast transient events
Clamping Voltage (V_clamp)	Maximum voltage during limiting operation	Prevents downstream component damage
Operating Temperature Range	Functional temperature limits	Ensures reliability in extreme environments
Energy Absorption (I t)	Total energy handling capability	Defines survival under fault conditions

5. Application Fields

Major industries utilizing ICLs include:

Consumer Electronics: Power adapters, HVAC systems
Industrial: Variable frequency drives, welding machines
Automotive: EV charging stations, onboard chargers
Medical: MRI power systems, patient monitors

Typical case: NTC ICLs reduce 50A startup surges to 5A in 500W switching power supplies.

6. Leading Manufacturers & Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
TDK Corporation	B59xxx Series	High-reliability NTCs for automotive applications
Littelfuse	PTCLxxx Series	AEC-Q100 qualified PTC devices
Bel Fuse	0Zxxx Series	Multi-layer ceramic thermistors
EPCOS (TDK)	B25xxx Series	Hybrid ICLs with integrated sensors

7. Selection Guidelines

Critical factors for proper ICL selection:

Match I_max with system steady-state requirements (+20% margin)
Verify V_rated exceeds peak AC voltage by 50%
Consider ambient temperature effects on performance
Evaluate reset time for thermistor-based solutions
For active ICLs: Confirm compatibility with control signals

Example: A 240VAC motor drive requires an ICL with 15A I_max and 300V_clamp.

8. Industry Trends

Emerging developments include:

Miniaturization: 0603-sized active ICLs for mobile devices
Wide bandgap integration: SiC/GaN-based hybrid devices
Smart ICLs: Embedded current monitoring and diagnostics
Material innovation: Graphene-enhanced thermistors

Market growth driven by EV charging infrastructure and renewable energy systems, projected at 7.2% CAGR through 2027.