App note: A simple solution for LED overtemperature protection

Bourns’ new thermal cutoff device for LED protection can be found in this paper. Link here (https://www.bourns.com/docs/technical-documents/technical-library/thermal-cutoff-devices/simple_led_-overtemperature_protection_solution_white_paper.pdf?sfvrsn=b13f25f6_11) (PDF)

Compared to traditional lighting technologies such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LED lighting has a much longer life span, consumes far less energy and offers shock and vibration ruggedness. LEDs also produce very little heat and do not contain the toxic materials of predecessor lighting technologies. One issue LEDs have is that they tend to fail when they overheat. The fabled long life of LEDs is very much dependent on them remaining cool or at least not being subjected to heat shock. Bourns has recently released its smallest surface mount overcurrent/overtemperature protection device. The Bourns® Model SW Mini-breaker brings a degree of simplicity to the overtemperature protection of LEDs. These ultra-compact devices are small enough to be mounted in thermal proximity to the LEDs.