Over-temperature protection

Thermal & Temperature Fuses

One-shot thermal cutoffs (TCO) that open at a fixed temperature, plus resettable PPTC / polyfuse devices for board-level over-current — built and tested in our own factory.

  • Last-line over-temperature safety for appliances
  • Functioning temperatures across the working range
  • Built to IEC 60691 and UL 60691
  • One-shot TCO and resettable PPTC from one supplier

CEULRoHSREACH

2000 Manufacturing since
36+ Countries served
Tf Specified by functioning temp.
100% Batch-inspected before shipping

Specifications & standards

Built and tested to standard

The headline ratings and the standards we build to. Full datasheets — with tolerances, time-current curves and dimensions — are available on request.

Key specifications Typical range
TypeOne-shot TCO · resettable PPTC
Responds toTemperature (TCO) · current (PPTC)
Functioning temp.Specified per device (Tf)
StandardsIEC 60691 · UL 60691 · IEC 60730
MountingAxial · radial · tab · SMD
ResetTCO: one-shot · PPTC: auto-reset

Standards & approvals

  • IEC 60691 Thermal-links — requirements and application guide
  • UL 60691 Thermal-links — North America
  • IEC 60730 / UL 1434 Resettable PPTC / thermistor devices

Choose a thermal cutoff's functioning temperature (Tf) above the circuit's normal maximum operating temperature but below its hazard temperature — so it rides through normal heat and trips before damage. Too low nuisance-trips; too high leaves no protection.

Complete guide to fuse types

A thermal fuse is the safeguard that acts when a current fuse can’t see the problem. A current fuse responds to amps; a thermal cutoff responds to heat, opening the circuit before an overheating motor, transformer or heater becomes a hazard — regardless of how much current is flowing. That’s why appliance safety approvals so often require one. Tenso manufactures one-shot thermal cutoffs across the functioning-temperature range, plus resettable PPTC devices for boards.

Choose the right functioning temperature (Tf)

A thermal cutoff is specified by the temperature at which it opens. Choose a Tf above the circuit’s normal maximum operating temperature but below its hazard temperature, so the device rides through normal heat and trips before damage. Too low and it nuisance-trips; too high and it leaves no protection. Tell us the appliance’s normal and hazard temperatures and we’ll help select the Tf.

One-shot (TCO) vs resettable (PPTC)

A thermal cutoff is one-shot: once it trips it stays open and must be replaced — exactly what you want for a definite safety disconnection. A PPTC (“polyfuse”) limits the current and resets when it cools — exactly what you want for nuisance over-currents or sealed, inaccessible boards. Choose by whether you need a permanent disconnection or an auto-resetting limit.

Often used alongside a current fuse

Many appliances use both: a current fuse for electrical faults and a thermal fuse for thermal runaway. Tell us the design and we’ll spec the pair.

Why source from Tenso

You're buying from the factory

No trading-company markup and no telephone game with a sub-supplier — design, tooling, production and QC all sit under one roof.

01

Over-temperature expertise

Help choosing the right functioning temperature (Tf) for your appliance's normal and hazard temperatures.

02

One-shot and resettable

One-shot TCO for a definite safety disconnection; resettable PPTC for nuisance over-currents or sealed boards — both from one supplier.

03

Approval-driven

Built to IEC 60691 / UL 60691 — and appliance safety approvals often require a thermal cutoff.

04

OEM & volume

High-volume supply with private-label options for appliance and electronics builds.

Applications

Where these parts go to work

Household appliances

Hair dryers, heaters, coffee makers

Transformers & motors

Thermal-runaway safeguard

Battery packs & chargers

Over-temperature & over-current

Board electronics

Resettable PPTC, USB & ports

Certified

Compliance you can hand to your QA team

Built to the standards your market and your auditors expect — with certificates and declarations available on request.

CE

Conformity for the European market across applicable ranges.

UL

UL recognition/listing on qualifying thermal devices.

RoHS

Restricted-substance compliance for electronics supply chains.

REACH

Substance-of-concern declarations available on request.

Cross-reference

Switching from another brand?

Second-sourcing a thermal cutoff by its functioning temperature? Send the Tf and form factor and we'll confirm the Tenso equivalent.

TypeSpecTenso equivalentReset
Thermal cutoff (TCO)Tf by °CTT-TCO seriesOne-shot
Radial-lead TCOTf by °CTT-RTCO seriesOne-shot
PPTC / polyfuseHold/trip currentTT-PPTC seriesAuto-reset

How to order

From enquiry to delivery

  1. 01

    Enquiry

    Send the functioning temperature, current, voltage and form factor. We confirm fit and Tf selection.

  2. 02

    Samples

    Approve samples for qualification against your appliance or board.

  3. 03

    Quote & terms

    Pricing, MOQ, lead time and Incoterms in one clear quote.

  4. 04

    Production

    Manufactured and assembled in-house to the approved sample.

  5. 05

    QC & shipping

    Batch-inspected, then packed and shipped with documentation to your port.

Request a quote

Tell us what you need protected.

Send a part number, a drawing, or a description of the circuit. We confirm fit and pricing within one business day.

Request a quote

We reply within one business day. No spam.

FAQ

Over-temperature protection — questions buyers ask

What is a thermal fuse / thermal cutoff?

A one-shot safety device that opens the circuit when its body reaches a fixed temperature, protecting against overheating regardless of current.

What temperature thermal fuse do I need?

One whose functioning temperature (Tf) sits above the circuit's normal maximum operating temperature but below its hazard temperature — match it to the appliance's thermal profile.

Thermal fuse vs regular fuse — what's the difference?

A thermal fuse responds to temperature; a regular (current) fuse responds to current. They guard against different faults and are often used together.

Can a thermal fuse be reset?

No — a thermal cutoff is one-shot and must be replaced once it operates. The resettable equivalent is a PPTC ('polyfuse').

What does TCO mean?

Thermal cut-off — another name for a one-shot thermal fuse.