Cautions and warnings
General
EPCOS thermistors are designed for specific applications and should not be used for purposes
not identified in our specifications, application notes and data books unless otherwise agreed
with EPCOS during the design-in-phase.
Ensure suitability of thermistor through reliability testing during the design-in phase. The ther-
mistors should be evaluated taking into consideration worst-case conditions.
Storage
Store thermistors only in original packaging. Do not open the package before storage.
Storage conditions in original packaging: storage temperature 25 °C ... +45 °C, relative hu-
midity ≤75% annual mean, maximum 95%, dew precipitation is inadmissible.
Avoid contamination of thermistors surface during storage, handling and processing.
Avoid storage of thermistor in harmful environment with effect on function on long-term opera-
tion (examples given under operation precautions).
Use thermistor within 6 months after delivery.
Handling
PTCs must not be dropped. Chip-offs must not be caused during handling of PTCs.
Components must not be touched with bare hands. Gloves are recommended.
Avoid contamination of thermistor surface during handling.
Soldering (where applicable)
Use rosin-type flux or non-activated flux.
Insufficient preheating may cause ceramic cracks.
Rapid cooling by dipping in solvent is not recommended.
Complete removal of flux is recommended.
Standard PTC heaters are not suitable for soldering.
Mounting
Electrode must not be scratched before/during/after the mounting process.
Contacts and housing used for assembly with thermistor have to be clean before mounting. Es-
pecially grease or oil must be removed.
When PTC thermistors are encapsulated with sealing material, the precautions given in chapter
"Mounting instructions", "Sealing and potting" must be observed.
When the thermistor is mounted, there must not be any foreign body between the electrode of
the thermistor and the clamping contact.
The minimum force of the clamping contacts pressing against the PTC must be 10 N.
During operation, the thermistor’s surface temperature can be very high. Ensure that adjacent
components are placed at a sufficient distance from the thermistor to allow for proper cooling at
the thermistors.
Ensure that adjacent materials are designed for operation at temperatures comparable to the
surface temperature of thermistor. Be sure that surrounding parts and materials can withstand
this temperature.
Avoid contamination of thermistor surface during processing.
Self-protecting power resistors
PTC thermistors in plastic case J201, J202, J204
Page 5 of 7Please read Cautions and warnings and
Important notes at the end of this document.
