Bourns® PRS11S, PEC11L, PEC09
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., October 26, 2010 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced additional enhancements to the company’s industry-leading professional audio/video potentiometers and encoders. The new products designated Bourns® Models PRS11S, PEC11L and PEC09 are designed for audio, broadcast and video mixing consoles, and peripheral equipment such as pre-amplifiers and sound processors. The Bourns® Model PRS11S is a surface mount potentiometer in an 11 mm square package that simplifies production board assembly by eliminating the need for wave or hand soldering. The Bourns® Model PEC11L is an 11 mm low-profile incremental encoder with a long rotational life. The Bourns® Model PEC09 is a super compact, 9 mm encoder with a robust design. All three enhanced products will be displayed and demonstrated at the 2010 AES Convention, November 4-7, 2010, in Bourns’ booth #1028 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California.

“Bourns announcement of an additional potentiometer and two new encoders designed specifically for audio, broadcast and video mixing equipment demonstrates our continuing innovation and commitment to our valued customers in the professional audio/video industry,” said Chuck Manzano, product marketing manager in Bourns’ resistive products division. “The trend in mixing console products is to incorporate space-saving components with multiple functions and all three models address these needs, while also ensuring a robust and reliable design.”

The Bourns® Model PRS11S surface mount potentiometer simplifies production board assembly by eliminating the need for wave or hand soldering after surface mount products have been mounted on a PC board. This new potentiometer is an optimal choice for compact mixing boards where all components are mounted on a single PC board. The Bourns® Model PEC11L low-profile contacting encoder with a momentary push switch option provides 100,000 cycles of rotational life in a small, robust package that offers a wide operating temperature range, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. The Bourns® Model PEC09 contacting encoder also features a momentary push switch option and delivers additional space savings for portable mixing consoles and peripheral equipment.

As a pricing reference, the Model PRS11S is priced at .41-1.53 in 5,000 piece quantities. The Model PEC11L is priced at .81-0.85 in 5,000 piece quantities and the Model PEC09 is priced at .93-1.52 in 5,000 piece quantities. Samples and production quantities of all three models are available now.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Bourns® 3547, 3548 and 3549 Precision Potentiometer
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., November 10, 2010 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that the company is now offering a new “slip clutch” option in specific multiturn potentiometers models. The slip clutch developed by Bourns for its Models 3547, 3548 and 3549 is designed as a safety feature that helps prevent damage to the potentiometer in applications where the full travel is used thereby increasing reliability and reducing potential service costs and system downtime. Bourns’ multiturn potentiometers with the slip clutch are an optimal solution in mechanized or machine-to-machine applications such as linear actuators, cable transducers and mechanical position sensors where the mechanical actuator may occasionally rotate the shaft beyond the mechanical stops, or beyond the set number of turns.
Bourns® multiturn potentiometer slip clutch option is an internal design feature that does not alter the physical dimensions of the component. This new feature allows the device to idle at the extreme clockwise or counter-clockwise ends without inducing damage to the stops on the potentiometer.

“This unique and useful new feature was developed in response to requests from our industrial, medical and aerospace customers that have the requirement to protect multiturn potentiometers in the event that equipment goes out of calibration,” said Chuck Manzano, product manager at Bourns, Inc. “Bourns is the first to market with this new option and highlights our commitment to product innovation and continuous improvement based on customer feedback. This new option will provide our customers with a more reliable solution in mechanized applications, while providing our customers with added value.”

As a pricing reference, the Model 3547 3-turn and Model 3548 5-turn precision potentiometer with slip clutch option is priced at .99-.31 in 1,000 piece quantities. The Model 3549 10-turn precision potentiometer with slip clutch option is priced at .44-.49 in 1,000 piece quantities. Hybritron® versions are also available at higher prices. Samples and production quantities of all three models with the new slip clutch option are available now.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Bourns® Pro Audio Design Kits
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., January 12, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced three new potentiometer design kits to facilitate the development of new and upgraded professional guitar amplifiers. Based on Bourns® Models 96, 53 and PDA241, the kits provide a variety of resistance values and tapers and can also be used as a service kit for guitar amplifier service technicians. The new design kits will be showcased along with Bourns’ complete line of guitar potentiometers and other pro audio products in Bourns Booth #2992 in Hall D at the NAMM Show, January 13 – 16, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

“Bourns continues to expand its professional audio product line with innovative products and design resources that make it easier for our customers to develop the highest quality guitar amplifiers and associated pro audio equipment,” said Chuck Manzano, product manager at Bourns, Inc. “These new design kits were developed with very high performance standards to meet the pro audio requirements, and are a good resource for integrating Bourns® potentiometers to enhance the reliability and longevity of pro audio guitar amplifiers.”

The three new Bourns amplifier design kits include the following:

• H-1203 – Model 96 Premium Amplifier Potentiometer Design Kit – contains Bourns® 5/8-inch square potentiometers with conductive polymer long-life, low noise element. The kit is populated with both linear and audio taper potentiometers of common resistance values used in amplifiers.
• H-1205 – Model 53 Premium Amplifier Mini-Potentiometer Design Kit – contains Bourns® ½-inch square potentiometers with conductive polymer long-life, low noise element. The kit is populated with both linear and audio taper potentiometers of common resistance values used in amplifiers.
• H-1204 – Model PDA241 Standard Amplifier Potentiometer Design Kit – contains Bourns® 24 mm potentiometers with long-life, low noise carbon element. The kit is populated with both linear and audio taper potentiometers of common resistance values used in amplifiers.

As a kit pricing reference, the Model 96 design kit is priced at .60 in 1-1,000 piece quantities. The Model 53 design kit is priced at .89 in 1-1,000 piece quantities and the Model PDA241 is priced at .71 in 1-1,000 piece quantities. Samples and production quantities of all three design kits are available now.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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RIVERSIDE, Calif., December 14, 2010 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that its Automotive Division has received a Preferred Supplier Award from the Robert Bosch GmbH. The award was given to Bourns for its quality and customer service performance in the supply of its position and angle sensors. This recognition is part of the Bosch Group’s supplier management program that includes continuous supplier assessment based on defined criteria. Bourns supplies the Bosch Group with position and angle sensors, fuel cards and various circuit protection and resistive products that are used in automotive, industrial and consumer products worldwide.

“This award confirms Bourns’ commitment to provide the highest quality and superior performing position and angle sensors available in the market, as well as to exceed customer expectations for service and support,” said Jeff Pyle, vice president of Bourns Automotive Division. “We are honored to be recognized as a Preferred Supplier of the Bosch Group, and have the opportunity to solidify a long-term relationship with this respected manufacturer.”

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 and ISO 14001 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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New Pro Audio Components
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., January 11, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced the addition of four new components for the design and assembly of mixing consoles and peripheral equipment in the professional audio industry. Bourns designed its new products for use in professional audio, video, broadcast and lighting mixing consoles, as well as support peripheral equipment applications such as signal processors, amplifiers, and speaker systems. The new components will be demonstrated along with Bourns’ complete line of guitar potentiometers, pro audio products, design kits and video application notes in Bourns Booth #2992 in Hall D at the NAMM Show, January 13 – 16, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

“The trend in mixing consoles and peripheral support products is to incorporate components with multiple functions and space savings,” said Chuck Manzano, product manager at Bourns, Inc. “Listening to the requirements of our customers, Bourns new pro audio components feature a compact size and offer multiple functions in a single control while providing a robust and reliable design.”

Details of Bourns’ new pro audio components are as follows:

• Model PEL12 Series Encoder with Illuminated Shaft: A 12 mm encoder that contains a clear shaft and is illuminated with internal LEDs.  Multiple LED color options, with single, dual and triple LED options are available. A momentary push switch is standard with dual and triple LED versions.
• Model PEC11L: An 11 mm low-profile incremental encoder offering a momentary push switch option. This contacting encoder provides 100,000 cycles of rotational life in a small and robust package with a wide operating temperature range, which is suitable for use indoors and outdoors.
• Model PEC09: A 9 mm encoder featuring a momentary push switch option. This contacting encoder brings additional space savings to portable mixing consoles and associated peripheral equipment.
• Model PRS11S: A surface mount potentiometer in an 11mm square package that simplifies production board assembly by eliminating the need for wave or hand soldering after surface mount products have been mounted on a PC board. This potentiometer is designed for compact mixing boards where all components are mounted on a single PC board.

As a unit pricing reference, Bourns Model PEL12 is priced at .25 to .67, Bourns Model PEC11L is priced at .81 to .85, Bourns Model PEC09 is priced at .93 to .52 and Bourns Model PRS11S is priced at .41 to .53 all in 5,000 piece quantities. Samples and production quantities of all four components are available now.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.

Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Bourns® Pro Audio Instructional Video (Download Hi-Res Image)

RIVERSIDE, Calif., January 11, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced the release of five new helpful application videos that provide detailed instructions for installing the company’s leading line of guitar potentiometers in electric and bass guitars.  The pro-audio application videos serve as a companion resource to Bourns’ previously released application notes that provide in-depth information about guitar potentiometer replacement and upgrades.  The application videos are now available on the Bourns pro-audio multimedia webpage at: www.bourns.com/proaudio.  The videos will be showcased along with Bourns’ complete line of guitar potentiometers and other pro-audio products in Bourns Booth #2992 in Hall D at the NAMM Show, January 13 – 16, 2011 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.

“These videos will help the novice and hobbyist by providing detailed instructions on how to perform replacement and upgrades to electric guitars and basses,” said Chuck Manzano, product manager at Bourns, Inc.  “Bourns continues its commitment to support the Professional Audio Industry with innovative new technologies and products that help musicians extend the life of their instruments while maintaining maximum sound quality.”

The five Bourns pro-audio application videos available are as follows:

• Installation of Model 95 Premium Guitar Potentiometers in a Pick Guard – an upgrade for volume and tone controls.
• Installation of Model PDB183 Potentiometer in a Guitar – in an electric guitar, the push-pull switch adds a new set of bright tone settings to a standard guitar.
• Installation of Model PDB182 Blend Balance Potentiometer in a Bass Guitar – in a bass guitar, the potentiometer provides added tone characteristic control.
• Soldering Tips – discusses required equipment, materials and tips for performing proper solder joints on guitar potentiometers.
• Guitar Potentiometer Installation Tips – provides various tips such as selecting the right potentiometer shaft for the knob, proper wire stripping and tinning, the electrical function of a potentiometer, and metric versus SAE potentiometer bushing sizes.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments.  Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at http://www.bourns.com/.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Bourns® TBU® DT – Series
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., February 1, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced its latest series of TBU® (Transient Blocking Unit) circuit protection devices designed for high speed protection of communications ports.  The new devices are the industry’s first electronic current limiters (ECLs) designed to tolerate AC mains power contact without circuit damage.  Designated the Bourns® TBU® DT-Series, the new circuit protection device family provides superior protection against faults caused by short circuits, AC power cross, induction and lightning surges.  The TBU® DT-Series are very fast-reacting protectors that do not alter the signal performance of high speed communication ports unlike high capacitance protectors.  The new Bourns® TBU® devices are an optimal solution for Ethernet ports used in outdoor applications such as security systems, PV panels and service kiosks.

“The TBU DT-Series represents a whole new level of circuit protection for sensitive Ethernet ports,” said Ian Doyle, product line manager of semiconductor products at Bourns, Inc.  “Ethernet interfaces today are used almost everywhere and are exposed to ever more serious threats.  Superior protection without compromising performance is now possible for high speed Ethernet ports thanks to the fast-acting capabilities of these devices.”

The new devices provide an integrated solution that minimizes design and manufacturing costs for design engineers that translates into faster time-to-market.  In addition, they enable a lower component count that meets OEM demands for smaller circuit boards in space-constrained designs.  Protecting against a wide range of hazardous threats, the Bourns® TBU® DT-Series also helps customers eliminate expensive maintenance, repair and system downtime costs.

The Bourns® TBU® DT-Series features eight models and offers continuous AC voltage ratings up to 425 Vrms and nominal trigger currents ranging from 150 mA to 750 mA. The new device family comes in a surface mount DFN package and is lead free and RoHS* compliant.  Product samples are available now through Bourns’ distribution partners.  As pricing examples, Bourns® TBU-DT-065 and TBU-DT-085-XXX-WH are priced at $.69 each in 15K quantities.

About Bourns® TBU® Technology
The Bourns® TBU® High Speed Protector is an innovative approach to electronics circuit protection.  It is designed to block a transient through a current disconnecting mechanism.  Rather than a complex interstage coordination between two shunting components, the TBU® device protects systems from both overvoltage and overcurrent surges.  The TBU® device provides protection within nanoseconds, essentially eliminating latency common in the circuit protection design, limiting let-through energy. Bourns® TBU® devices have virtually no capacitance or inductance, and therefore can be used in high speed and high bandwidth applications.  The TBU® DT-Series features unidirectional operation which is inherently resettable.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products.  Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments.  Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 and ISO 14001 standards under Six Sigma quality programs.  Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard.  Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at http://www.bourns.com/.

*RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC January 27, 2003 including Annex.

Bourns®, TBU® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

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Bourns® LED Shunt Protectors
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., February 15, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced a new line of open LED shunt protection devices designed specifically for LED lighting applications. Designated the Bourns® LSP-Series, the new shunt protector family enables LED lighting applications configured in strings to be more robust and reliable. Most LED designs include solid-state lighting luminaries configured in series strings of 20 or more LEDs. In this configuration, an open LED can cause the entire LED string to go dark, resulting in reduced performance and possible maintenance calls and costly warranty returns. Adding a Bourns® LSP-Series shunt protector to an LED design allows the unaffected lights in the string to remain illuminated by shunting current around the inoperable LED. The new LSP-Series of open LED shunt protectors are an optimal solution for a variety of LED lighting applications including light bulbs, lighting fixtures and backlighting systems.

“LED lighting applications are exploding in volume,” said Ian Doyle, product line manager of semiconductor products at Bourns, Inc. “Bourns’ new LSP-Series of open LED shunt protectors address the failure rates of early LED designs. Incorporating a Bourns® LSP device into the design of LEDs improves reliability and helps eliminate costly downtime.”

The Bourns® LSP-Series of open LED shunt protectors include four models: LSP0600BJR-S, LSP0900BJR-S, LSP1300BJR-S and LSP1800BJR-S. Customers can maximize the level of protection by selecting Bourns® model LSP0600BJR-S and using one device per LED. Alternatively, customers can reduce their protection costs by selecting Bourns® models LSP0900BJR-S, LSP1300BJR-S or LSP1800BJR-S that are able to isolate groups of two, three or four LEDs respectively. Bourns’ new device family comes in an SMB surface mount package and is RoHS* compliant.  Product samples are available now through Bourns’ distribution partners. As a pricing example, Bourns® LSP0600BJR-S is priced at $.30 each in 10K piece quantities.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 and ISO 14001 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at http://www.bourns.com/.

*RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC January 27, 2003 including Annex.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns Blog

Bourns Expands PortNote™ Selection
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RIVERSIDE, Calif., March 29, 2011 – Bourns, Inc., a leading manufacturer and supplier of electronic components, today announced that it has developed seven new PortNote™ Solutions to assist designers in selecting the appropriate circuit protection solution for a specific port interface. Bourns® PortNote™ Solutions are a series of one-page documents that provide concise information on relevant compliance standards, Bourns solutions and part numbers, the specific interface schematic and alternative solution references. The new documents also feature application-based tools for audio/video and data communication and telecommunications designs, and are a useful resource to help streamline the circuit protection selection process for a specific port interface.

“Selecting the right circuit protection solution for a particular port interface can be time consuming and daunting,” said Dr. Erik Meijer, vice president of circuit protection at Bourns. “With our extensive circuit protection knowledge, Bourns is committed to helping our customers reduce their development time. Because our unique PortNote™ Solutions documentation has been positively received, we have chosen to add seven more popular port solutions to this successful series.”  Easily accessible on the Bourns website, the seven new PortNote™ Solutions cover Ethernet and RS-485 ports for datacom applications; LVDS input and output ports for audio/video applications and T1/E1 telephony, VDSL line side and VDSL over POTs for ports in telecom designs. In addition, Bourns offers corresponding design kits. Each design kit contains sufficient Bourns® products to build five of the circuits offered in the PortNote™ Solution. Bourns® PortNote™ Solutions are not intended to replace detailed application notes or the customized solutions provided by Bourns’ FAE teams, but instead provide useful information in the circuit protection selection process for a specific port interface. A total of 22 individual Bourns® PortNote™ Solutions including the corresponding design kits can be viewed on the Bourns website at www.bourns.com/Library.aspx?name=PortNoteSolutions.

About Bourns
Bourns, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of automotive sensors, circuit protection solutions, magnetic products, microelectronic modules, trimming and precision potentiometers, panel controls and encoders and resistive products. Headquartered in Riverside, CA, Bourns serves a broad range of markets, including telecommunications, computer, industrial, instrumentation, automotive, consumer, non-critical life support medical, audio and various other market segments. Bourns® products are manufactured according to ISO-9000 standards under Six Sigma quality programs. Bourns® automotive products are manufactured in accordance with the TS16949 standard. Additional company and product information is available at the company’s website at www.bourns.com.

Bourns® and the Bourns logo are registered trademarks of Bourns, Inc. and may be used only with the permission of Bourns and proper acknowledgement. Other listed names and brands are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

Bourns Blog