How to Select an SMD Air Core Coil?
SMD Air Core Coil should be chosen wisely because stability of operation and long product life span highly depend on the choice. The value of inductance is the first parameter. Engineers should select appropriate inductance depending on frequency, signal requirement and impedance matching in circuits.
Operating frequency plays an important role. SMT air core coils were specially designed to work at high frequencies, however the user should pay attention to Q factor and frequency characteristic before selection.
Existing capacity should be evaluated carefully. Overload causes overheating or even instability of performance. It is possible to increase the durability using appropriate wire diameter and heat resistance of the coil.
Physical dimensions are important to make sure that coils can fit in the available PCB layout space. The designer should confirm the space for mounting, the dimension of the solder pad and requirements of SMT assembly.
Resistance should be considered. Low DC resistance leads to higher efficiency of the circuit by minimizing power loss in the circuit.
Environmental factors should be taken into account as well. Check the temperature and vibration resistance as well as long-term reliability performance in industrial or automotive application.
Quality assurance is also an important parameter. Good suppliers provide RoHS, electrical testing and traceability in production of SMT air core coils.
Finally, customization is essential in OEM products. Professional manufacturers offer to customize inductance value, wire diameter, coil geometry and packaging.
Don’t Do That! Mistakes to Avoid when Packaging SMT Air Core Coil
SMT Air Core Coils should be properly packed. Insufficient mechanical protection is a frequent mistake. The performance of the inductor may be affected by the outer pressure because of the open winding structure of the SMT air core coils, causing deformation of the coil shape. Using foam protection and proper packaging with antistatic carrier tapes solves the problem.
Insufficient protection from moisture is another error. Moisture in humid environment causes oxidation of copper and decreases the solderability. SMT air core coils should be vacuum packed and placed in moisture-proof bag for shipment and warehousing.
Improper spacing in reeling is harmful for the performance of automatic assembly process. Manufacturers have to use standard reels for surface mounting technologies and avoid errors in spacing the coil to prevent problems with picking and placement.
Proper electrostatic discharge protection is very important. Using antistatic packaging prevents from electrical discharge in transit or during PCB assembly.
In addition, some suppliers do not take care about labeling. Good product labeling provides part number, inductance value, quantity, manufacturing batch and verification status.
Last, but not least, inappropriate stacking of SMT coils may be harmful for transportation. Use sturdy export cartons with sufficient inner protection from vibration and shock damage during transport.
