The part designation **23N-R** typically refers to a specific type of **NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) Thermistor**, often used for inrush current limiting or temperature sensing. In the electronics industry, "23N" usually maps to a series of Power NTCs, where the "23" refers to the disk diameter (approx. 23mm) and "N" signifies the material/type. --- ### 1. Key Technical Specifications While specific manufacturers (like TDK/EPCOS or Cantherm) may have slight variations, a "23N" type thermistor generally follows these parameters: | Feature | Description | | :--- | :--- | | **Component Type** | NTC Thermistor (Negative Temperature Coefficient) | | **Body Diameter** | ~23mm (Large size for high power handling) | | **Resistance at 25°C** | Varies by sub-model (e.g., 23N050 = 5Ω, 23N120 = 12Ω) | | **Steady State Current** | High (typically 5A to 15A depending on resistance) | | **Termination** | Radial leads (The "-R" often denotes radial or RoHS compliant) | --- ### 2. How it Works As an NTC device, its resistance **decreases** as its temperature **increases**. 1. **At Startup:** The device is cold and has a high resistance. This limits the initial "Inrush Current" that flows into capacitors or motors, preventing blown fuses or tripped breakers. 2. **During Operation:** As current flows through the part, it heats up due to its own power dissipation. 3. **Steady State:** Once hot, its resistance drops significantly (near zero), allowing current to flow with very low energy loss. --- ### 3. Common Applications Due to its large 23mm size, this component is designed for heavy-duty power electronics: * **Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS):** Limiting charging current of large bulk capacitors. * **Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs):** Protecting motor controllers. * **Electric Motors:** Soft-starting industrial motors. * **Transformers:** Reducing the surge when high-power transformers are energized. --- ### 4. Meaning of the "-R" Suffix In electronic part numbering, suffixes can vary, but **-R** usually indicates one of the following: * **RoHS Compliant:** Manufactured without hazardous substances like lead. * **Radial:** Indicates the leads come out of the bottom of the disk (common for through-hole PCB mounting). * **Reel:** Sometimes indicates the packaging method (Tape and Reel). --- ### 5. Identification Example If the full part number is **SCK-23N050-R**: * **SCK:** Manufacturer series (e.g., Thinking Electronic). * **23:** 23mm disk diameter. * **N:** NTC material. * **050:** 5.0 Ohms resistance at 25°C. * **-R:** RoHS compliant.