The surface mount devices ensure remaining LEDs stay lit if a single device fails. They are designed for use with high-brightness, 1W LEDs, with a nominal 350mA current at 3V. The protectors provide a switching electronic shunt path when an LED in an LED string or array fails as an open circuit. They are designed to reset automatically if the LED heals itself or the power is cycled. The device resets automatically if the LED heals itself or is replaced, resulting in lower maintenance and higher reliability, points out Littelfuse.

The electronic shunt/bypass for open LEDs allows LED strings or arrays to continue to function even if one LED fails as an open circuit.

The small SOD-123FL package housing is claimed to have one of the lowest height profiles (1.1mm) of any device of this type, making it suitable for dense board applications.

Typical applications are where high reliability and low maintenance are required, for example street, subway, runway, and tunnel lighting, as well as headlights, roadside warning lights, and outdoor signage.

Compared with silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRs) and Zener diodes, the PLEDxN series provides higher reliability and lower maintenance, claims the company.

The LED protectors are available in tape and reel packaging. Sample requests can be placed through authorised distributors worldwide.