PIC10040-R36M
AI

The **PIC10040-R36M** is a high-current, shielded power inductor typically manufactured by **Cyntec** (or similar manufacturers following the same naming convention). It is designed for high-density power applications like DC-DC converters.
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### 1. Part Number Breakdown
Understanding the nomenclature helps identify the physical and electrical specifications:
| Segment | Meaning | Specification |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **PIC** | Series | Power Inductor (Molded type) |
| **10040** | Case Size | ~10.0mm x 11.5mm base, 4.0mm height |
| **R36** | Inductance | 0.36 µH (Microhenries) |
| **M** | Tolerance | ±20% |
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### 2. Key Electrical Specifications
While specific values can vary slightly by manufacturer, the standard parameters for a 10040-R36M are:
* **Inductance:** 0.36 µH.
* **DC Resistance (DCR):** Extremely low, typically between **0.8mΩ to 1.2mΩ**.
* **Saturation Current ($I_{sat}$):** The current at which inductance drops by ~30%. Usually rated around **50A - 60A**.
* **Heat Rating Current ($I_{rms}$):** The current that causes a 40°C temperature rise. Usually rated around **30A - 35A**.
* **Operating Temperature:** Generally -55°C to +125°C.
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### 3. Construction and Features
The PIC series uses a **Molded Metal Powder** construction, which offers several advantages:
1. **Magnetic Shielding:** The coil is encapsulated in a metallic powder/resin composite, which minimizes Electromagnetic Interference (EMI).
2. **Soft Saturation:** Unlike ferrite cores that lose inductance sharply, these molded inductors saturate gradually as current increases.
3. **Low Buzz Noise:** The solid molded structure reduces acoustic noise caused by magnetostriction.
4. **High Current Density:** The flat-wire or thick-wire winding inside allows for very high current handling in a small footprint.
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### 4. Typical Applications
Because of its high current rating and low DCR, this part is commonly found in:
* **Voltage Regulator Modules (VRM):** Powering CPUs and GPUs in laptops and servers.
* **DC-DC Converters:** High-efficiency point-of-load (POL) converters.
* **Battery Powered Systems:** Where low resistance is critical to saving power.
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- ⤷
What are the footprints or PCB pad dimensions for the 10040 size?
- ⤷ How does 'Soft Saturation' compare to 'Hard Saturation' in power inductors?
- ⤷ Can this inductor be used in high-frequency switching applications above 1MHz?