Since 1983 Chatham Components has been the leading American import agent of non-resettable “one shot” Thermal Cutoffs (referred to as Thermal Protectors or Thermal Fuses, as well). Our Principals are Uchihashi Estec, famous for the ELCUT brand, and NEC SCHOTT recognized worldwide for their SEFUSE brand; both are manufactured under ISO9001, the international standard for quality assurance. Our complete line of thermal fuses and thermal cutoffs (TCOs) have most agency approvals, including UL, CSA, VDE, TUV and BEAB. We also can assist with your RoHS concerns. Call us.

Our highly skilled technical and sales departments are always available to help you with any questions you might have concerning thermal protectors. Chatham maintains a stock of over 3 million thermal fuses/thermal cutoffs: low current eutectic styles from Uchihashi Estec and higher current TCO pellet types from NEC SCHOTT Corporation. Most orders ship the same day as entered.

Chatham Component customers are Engineers and Buyers at manufacturers of electrical products that require overheat protection. Uncontrolled overheat can lead to catastrophic consequences. Therefore, a Thermal Cutoff (TCO) is used. Sometimes referred to as thermal fuses or thermal protectors, these one-shot devices are designed into an electrical circuit to switch off power, either as a backup in series to a Thermostat or on their own.

We serve Buyers and Engineers, too, when establishing an alternate source to their present TCO supplier.

Our larger users produce electrical appliances, battery packs, motors, transformers, heating and air-conditioning equipment and various electronic devices. Chatham Components provides a full spectrum of thermal protectors as the Exclusive Agency for the two world recognized brands: SEFUSE and ELCUT.

When sourcing a thermal cutoff (TCO), you will want not only a quality product but also design-in assistance from an engineer who helps you identify the right product for your particular application. Since 1983 Chatham Components has concentrated on Thermal Cutoff/Thermal Fuse/Thermal Protector products and applications. We offer to help you properly apply them.

When You Work With CCI You Can Expect:

• To work with a company - and all its personnel - located in the United States.
• A full range of thermal fuses from two global TCO manufacturers.
• Experienced design advice to assist you in determining the correct product.
• A huge inventory of over 3 million thermal fuses…ensuring quick delivery.

 Our Approach

Above all, we offer alternative TCO types. Different applications prompt different solutions. Our products are not confined to a particular technique of opening a circuit when overheat is experienced. We have a full spectrum of thermal fuses and can address many needs. Your application, not our particular product, gives direction to making the best selection.

Quick response is assured. Nothing is more frustrating than non-response from a supplier. With Chatham Components you will speak to a live human being every time you call our facility. If it is after closing hour, then a response is guaranteed no later than the next business morning.

CCI is the exclusive agent for both Uchihashi Estec Co., Ltd of Osaka, Japan, which produces the ELCUT brand of thermal protector, and NEC Schott Components Corporation, Shiga, Japan, producers of the SEFUSE brand of Thermal Cutoff.

Chatham's role is to act as an extension of the manufacturer in aiding with design-in. Chatham also assumes for the Americas' markets (Canada, U.S.A., Mexico/Central America, South America, and the Caribbean) responsibility of inventorying, pricing, credit, promoting, selling, packaging, shipping and on-going marketing functions.

Chatham's staff of engineers and sales personnel have a combined history of 100 years experience with the application of thermal protection products spanning communication, electrical appliances, solenoids, motors, transformers/power supplies, air-conditioning, battery, military, aviation, and industrial applications.

Recent advances in electronic technology have placed sophisticated equipment in our living and working environments. Fires and other accidents have occurred due to product failure, misuse or a completely unexpected situation. ELCUT and NEC SCHOTT thermal protectors are used to prevent fires caused by abnormal heat generation from circuits and other heat producing electrical products. Thermal Cutoffs can prevent these accidents and maintain the safety of the user. ELCUT and NEC SCHOTT thermal fuses are non-resettable protectors attached to the heat generating section of electronic parts, circuits and other devices. The thermal element senses temperature change and breaks the circuit when the cut-off (fusing-off) temperature is reached. However, the time interval from the heat source to the fusing-off of the thermal element varies with the mounting conditions. Consequently, sufficient testing should be performed, all available test data reviewed, and application instructions studied, to determine the optimal thermal cutoffs for a particular application. It is very important to avoid the use of ELCUT and NEC SCHOTT thermal fuses in applications that exceed the electrical rating and temperature specifications, such as the holding temperature and maximum temperature limit ranges, of the Thermal Cutoffs. Uchihashhi Estec Co, Ltd. or NEC/SCHOTT shall not be liable for accidents or damage caused by misuse or misapplication of thermal cutoffs whose specifications have been exceeded.

ELCUT Thermal Cutoffs come with axial or radial lead wires, both having the same basic design. The thermal element is welded across a pair of lead wires and is coated with a special compound to protect it from oxidation. This ensures stable and reliable fusing off of the thermal element. The coated element is housed in a special insulated container and is hermetically sealed. The final product is a miniaturized, alloy-type thermal unit with extremely simple construction.

The SEFUSE special pellet liquefies when the ambient temperature rises to the melting point of the thermal element. This, in turn, allows a spring action to permanently break the electrical circuit.

More Reliable:

• Worldwide reputations of high quality and reliable performance.
• Thermal fuses are produced to strict quality control procedures.
• Major safety agency recognition: UL / CSA / VDE / TUV / BEAB / MITI.
• Unique to NEC Schott SEFUSE design is the increased reliability of the lead supporting epoxy-seal-end ceramic tube (please see the "NEC Schott TCO Epoxy Supported Tube Diagram")

Simple and Miniature Design:

• Simple construction contributes to trouble-free operation.
• Miniature sizes permit unparalleled design possibilities in extremely small spaces.

Diverse Styles and Fast Delivery:

• Many styles and configurations for maximum design flexibility.
• Fast on-time delivery.