Bourns SE Series Mini-Breakers Add 240 W USB-C Safety

The move to higher wattages in USB Power Delivery has transformed fast charging. With today’s cables and connectors carrying up to 240 W, safety at the interface has become a design priority. Heat can build quickly in USB-C ports if there is contamination or poor contact, creating the need for components that respond before damage occurs.

Bourns has introduced the SE Series of miniature Thermal Cutoff devices, designed specifically for this challenge. Each device is a surface-mount Mini-Breaker rated at 54 V, housed in a compact 4.7 mm by 2.8 mm package with a profile just over one millimetre high. That size makes them small enough to mount directly onto the USB Type-C connector, right where the heat risk is greatest.

Rapid Thermal Response

When the connector temperature rises beyond its limit, the SE Series reacts by cutting the current path immediately. This direct intervention removes the need for additional ICs or switching components, simplifying designs while improving safety. Engineers can select versions with cutoff points between 72 °C and 85 °C, each specified with a tolerance of ±5 °C.

Because the protection is local and automatic, these devices provide an extra layer of security for phones, tablets, notebooks, and accessories where power levels continue to rise. They are also suited to external chargers and power banks that rely on USB-C connections for fast charging.

Ready For Next-Generation USB-C Designs

The new Mini-Breakers arrive as regulations such as the EU’s Common Charger Directive push USB-C adoption across consumer devices. By combining fast action with a small footprint, they give designers a straightforward way to address connector overheating while keeping board space to a minimum. The SE Series is available now and is compliant with RoHS requirements.

Where They Can Be Used

These devices are aimed at mobile devices, portable accessories, power banks, and any consumer system making use of the 240 W USB Power Delivery specification. Their compact form and direct cutoff behaviour make them an effective safeguard against one of the key risks of high-power USB charging.

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