Hi all,

Yesterday, I was surprised to see that all the PolyZen devices are going extint, and some even are no longer listed. For instance, ZEN056V075A48LS is already not available at Mouser or Farnell, besides not being listed. Many other devices of the same family are now listed as obsolete. Littlefuse seems to have decided that these former Tyco products should now go extinct.

My question is? Now, given that fact, how can I replace them? Are there any equivalent devices? I've looked for eFuses, but these generally go for 1.6A or above, and require lots of components around them. I have two projects on the drawing board, already tested and validated, that use PolyZen devices. I have many projects that I'll have to redo, since these components gone obsolete.

Bottom line: I cannot longer rely on Littlefuse, nor their products. When they acquired the circuit protection division of TE Connectivity, it already made no sense. Now they simply decided to extinguish it and all their products, like a wolf marking the territory. Ego has gone too far!

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço

 

It all comes down to economics. If it is unprofitable to manufacture a component it will "go extinct" as you put it. Sometimes you get a notification that allows you to make a one-time End Of Life buy, but this is not guaranteed. I guess if you are going to continue making your product you will need to find an alternative or just go without.

 

how can I replace them? Are there any equivalent devices?

A series combination of a zener diode a PTC resistor might do the job?

 

... I guess if you are going to continue making your product you will need to find an alternative or just go without.

Definitely, something to consider.

A series combination of a zener diode a PTC resistor might do the job?

I certain cases, yes. But in most cases, when relatively high currents are needed, the Zener needs to be way bigger than the ones the PolyZen uses, since it will not be in direct contact with the PPTC. That means the diode will no longer heat up the PPTC in case of over-voltage, and the PPCT will only be tripped by its own self-heating, due to over-current.

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço

 

Update: I have found the cause. It is something stupid like: https://www.mouser.com/PCN/Littelfuse_LFPCN41330_Polyzen_Product_Line_EOL_Notification.pdf.

That makes me wonder. Was there an embargo?

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço

 

Update: I have found the cause. It is something stupid like: https://www.mouser.com/PCN/Littelfuse_LFPCN41330_Polyzen_Product_Line_EOL_Notification.pdf.

That makes me wonder. Was there an embargo?

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço

Don't know about an embargo which seems unlikely, but rather a shortage of a particular material. If you keep digging, the explanation will be found.

 

Don't know about an embargo which seems unlikely, but rather a shortage of a particular material. If you keep digging, the explanation will be found.

Could be the shortage of a particular Zener diode that is used in those micro-assemblies. Or the PPTC fuse itself. I'll try to dig further.

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço

 

Hi,

I've been talking to Mr. Jin Xu, Senior Product manager from Littelfuse. Basically, many of the PolyZen devices are being manufactured by Hiya, in China. I don't know if Hiya was the OEM manufacturer of these devices for Littelfuse, or if Hiya is replacing Littelfuse. It seems to be the latter. The datasheets from Hiya (attached) indicate identical specs for the ZEN056V075A48LS, ZEN056V130A24LS and ZEN056V230A16LS. However, notice that the revision date is very recent.

Hiya doesn't seem to manufacture all of the components from this line of products. The ZEN056V115A24LS, for instance, is not manufactured by them, and it will be discontinued. I'll have to inquiry further about this.

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço