Industrial vs. Commercial vs. Automitive Grade Electronics

[Obelix]

I would like to know if I could find specifications on what
constitutes a industrial, commercial or automotive grade components.
Does anyone knows what are the major characteristics that define these
groups besides operating temperature?

Thanks,

Carlos

 

[Jim Thompson]

I would like to know if I could find specifications on what
constitutes a industrial, commercial or automotive grade components.
Does anyone knows what are the major characteristics that define these
groups besides operating temperature?

Thanks,

Carlos

I think temperatures range is all that differs.

...Jim Thompson

 

[mook johnson]

That is correct,

When the IC manufacturer lists its components temperature range they perform
testing to verify that it will operate over that range. If you application
is 0 - 70 degrees C. commercial is all you need. -25 - 85C is the
industrial temperature range and 0 - 125C is the automotive range.

The manufacturer is stating the datasheet specification will hold true over
that range. The IC will work outside of that range but you will have no
assurances of performance from the manufacturer.

In my business, we run (well selected) 70C rated parts up to 200C with
regularity. Operating life and speed is severely limited at that temperatre
but they do it.

 

[Boris Mohar]

I think temperatures range is all that differs.

...Jim Thompson

I wonder if some manufactures make all of the chip at the highest specs and
just stamp the grade based on demand?




Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs http://www3.sympatico.ca/borism/
Aurora, Ontario

 

[John Woodgate]

I read in sci.electronics.design that Boris Mohar <[email protected]>
wrote (in <[email protected]>) about
'Industrial vs. Commercial vs. Automitive Grade Electronics', on Thu, 15
Jan 2004:

I wonder if some manufactures make all of the chip at the highest specs and
just stamp the grade based on demand?

If they get enough yield at the highest spec, yes, of course. What else
could they sensibly do? Claim that the low-spec devices were out of
stock, 'so you HAVE to buy the military grade'? DON'T give them ideas
like that!

 

[Jim Thompson]

I wonder if some manufactures make all of the chip at the highest specs and
just stamp the grade based on demand?




Regards,

Boris Mohar

Got Knock? - see:
Viatrack Printed Circuit Designs http://www3.sympatico.ca/borism/
Aurora, Ontario

Of course they do.

Everything is made on the same line.

Packaging usually defines the temperature range... for instance,
plastic parts have accelerated failure rates at high temperatures...
bipolars lose their beta, MOS devices go leaky.

MIL/Space parts have additional screening and burn-in.

...Jim Thompson

 

[Greg Neff]

That is correct,

When the IC manufacturer lists its components temperature range they perform
testing to verify that it will operate over that range. If you application
is 0 - 70 degrees C. commercial is all you need. -25 - 85C is the
industrial temperature range and 0 - 125C is the automotive range.

(snip)

Temperatures are ambient:

Standard commercial temperature range is 0°C to 70°C

Old industrial temperature range is -25°C to 85°C (some parts are
still available in this range)

Modern industrial temperature range is -40°C to 85°C

Automotive temperature range is -40°C to 125°C

Military temperature range is -55°C to 125°C

Some parts have slightly different ranges. Watch out for parts that
are rated at TJ instead of TA.



================================

Greg Neff
VP Engineering
*Microsym* Computers Inc.
[email protected]