Power Dynamics Inc. Announces RoHS / “Lead Free” Compliance

As a worldwide manufacturer, Power Dynamics Inc. (PDI) has undertaken an extensive company-wide effort to provide our customers with environmentally friendly (“Green”) products that comply with the European Union (EU) Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2002/95/EC well before the effective date of July 1, 2006.

Restricted Substances.

Directive 2002/95/EC Article 4 restricts the use of six hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment: Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI)), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE).

RoHS compliant / “Lead Free” Products.

Many Power Dynamics products are RoHS compliant / “lead free” as they have never contained the restricted substances or are already within the limits as specified by the RoHS directive.

For products that were not RoHS compliant / “lead free” Power Dynamics has qualified alternative materials and plating and now offers many of these products as RoHS compliant / “lead free”.

All new Power Dynamics products are designed and manufactured using RoHS compliant / “lead free” materials and plating.

Identification of RoHS compliant / “lead free” products.

Power Dynamics identifies RoHS compliant / “lead free” products with a RoHS compliant label on the shipping cartons.

Definition of “Lead Free”

It is important to note that the industry use of the term “Lead Free” does not mean the complete absence of lead but that the lead content meets the limit values set by RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC of <=0.1% by weight or 1000 mg/Kg =1000 ppm with the exemption of 4% by weight (=40,000ppm) for copper alloys (RoHS directive 2002/95/EC, Annex Item 6). Power Dynamics components are described as “Lead Free” when the lead content is within these set limits.

“Lead Free” vs Lead Free Process Capable

Although a product may be RoHS compliant / “lead free” it may not be lead free process capable. The insulating material used may not withstand the higher soldering temperatures (240°C to 260°C) required for lead free soldering processes. Many types of thermoplastics are used in Power Dynamics products and the ability to withstand the higher solder process temperatures will vary depending on the type of product and material used. For customers that require a specific part that currently does not use an insulating material that is lead free process capable, Power Dynamics will work with the customer to provide an alternate material that will withstand the higher processing temperatures.