Surge protector touts wide firing voltage

STMicroelectronics NV (ST) has released the LCP12 IC that protects against high-voltage surges on the tip and ring connections of subscriber line interface cards (SLICs) that connect telecom local loops to the access network. The device integrates thyristors to protect against positive and negative surges on two wires, and provides a higher level of protection than its predecessor, the LCP02, the company said.

Oftentimes, the voltage surges are due to lightning strikes or by electromagnetic coupling or direct contact with AC power lines. The LCP12 provides the protection specified by telecom standards used throughout the Americas, Europe and the Far East, such as the GR-1089 CORE standards, ITU-T-K.20/21 covering operator and customer-premises equipment, and the similar Mainland China YD/T standards. As the only protection device rated for surge currents up to 75A for the 5/310us waveshape at 4kV, the LCP12 is uniquely able to comply with forthcoming revisions to the Chinese standards, ST added.

Moreover, the surge protector is fully compatible with existing equivalent devices, hence providing a drop-in upgrade capable of satisfying the new tougher protection standards going forward. With its wide firing voltage range, from -120V to 120V, the LCP12 is compatible with most dual battery-voltage SLICs in use today, claimed the company. In addition, if offers peak pulse current of 45A (10/1000us) and compliant with other standards that include ITU-T-K20 (IEC 61000-4-2 ESD contact/air discharge), VDE0433, VDE0878, IEC 61000-4-5, TIA-968-A (formerly FCC part 68type A) and TIA-968-A (formerly FCC part 68) type B).

It has a low gate triggering current at 5mA (max) and a holding current of 150mA (min). The LCP12 is housed in the industry-standard SO-8 wide package and is available to qualified customers, priced from $1.196, with a minimum order quantity of 1000 pieces.