Bourns Expands Innovative Line of Volume, Space-saving FLAT® GDT Devices

New Model 2018 3-Electrode FLAT® GDTs Feature Large Flat Top Surface and Lighter Weight Making Them Ideal for High-Speed Pick and Place Manufacturing

RIVERSIDE, Calif., October 17, 2017 - Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today expanded its standard-setting line of volume and space saving FLAT® gas discharge tube (GDT) surge arrestors. The Model 2018 Series FLAT® GDT is a 3-electrode device that delivers a low profile solution for high density and height-restricted PCB-based applications. The new series is lighter weight with a 50 % height reduction compared to standard 8 mm Bourns® GDTs. Bourns designed this latest series as a surface mount device with a large top flat surface, making it ideal for vacuum head pickup in today's high-speed pick and place manufacturing.

The Bourns® FLAT® GDT Model 2018 is an ITU K.12 Class III device rated at 20 kA¹ on an 8/20 µs waveform. The series is offered with DC breakdown voltages ranging from 90 to 500 V and features an innovative flat design that reduces the height of the Bourns® GDT from a typical 8 mm to a low profile of 3.5 mm.

"Besides saving valuable PCB space, these new 3-electrode FLAT® GDT devices help to reduce component count in space-constrained designs. The series provides the ability to protect both Line to Ground and Line to Line with a single Model 2018 FLAT® GDT, which previously required two GDTs," said Kurt Wattelet, product line manager at Bourns, Inc. "As a 3-electrode GDT, transverse voltage limiting performance is enhanced with the ability to share a common center electrode designed to allow both sides of the GDT to turn on quickly resulting in balanced operation."

Pricing and Availability
The new Bourns® FLAT® GDT Model 2018 Series is available now and is RoHS compliant*.  As a pricing reference, the Model 2018 Series is priced at $0.98 each in 100 piece quantities. For additional product specifications, please go to: www.bourns.com/products/circuit-protection/gas-discharge-tube-(gdt)-surge-arrestors/3-electrode-gdts/flat-series-3-electrode

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of position and speed sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic components, microelectronic modules, panel controls and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, California, USA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including automotive, industrial, consumer, communications, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Additional company and product information is available at www.bourns.com.

¹ Total current rating through center electrode, half value each line to center electrode.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

*RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC Jan. 27, 2003 including annex and RoHS Recast 2011/65/EU June 8, 2011.