Bourns | X-ON

Founded in 1947 by Marlan and Rosemary Bourns in Pasadena, California, Bourns, Inc. has grown to become a global leader in the design, manufacture, and supply of electronic components. The company is renowned for its wide-ranging portfolio that includes circuit protection, sensors, magnetics, resistive components, and microelectronic modules. With innovation and quality at its core, Bourns serves a broad spectrum of industries, from automotive and industrial to consumer electronics, medical, telecommunications, and beyond.

For over 75 years, Bourns has maintained a commitment to engineering excellence, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Their components are designed to meet the stringent requirements of modern electronics, ensuring efficiency, safety, and performance.

Company Overview

• Founded: 1947

• Founders: Marlan and Rosemary Bourns

• Headquarters: Riverside, California, USA

• Global Presence: Operations and facilities across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

• Manufacturing Locations: USA, Costa Rica, Germany, China, and more

• Industries Served: Automotive, industrial, consumer electronics, energy, telecommunications, medical, and aerospace

Key Product Categories

1. Circuit Protection Components

Bourns is a pioneer in circuit protection technologies that safeguard sensitive electronics from electrical transients and overcurrent conditions.

• TVS Diodes (Transient Voltage Suppression)

• PTC Resettable Fuses

• GDTs (Gas Discharge Tubes)

• TBU® High-Speed Protectors

• MOVs (Metal Oxide Varistors)

• ESD Suppressors

These components are widely used in automotive ECUs, industrial controls, power supplies, and consumer devices.

2. Resistive Products

Bourns is globally known for its broad portfolio of resistive solutions.

• Trimpots® Potentiometers
  Precision adjustable resistors used for calibration and tuning.

• Fixed Resistors
  Thick film, thin film, wirewound, and high-power resistors.

• Current Sense Resistors
  Designed for power monitoring, control systems, and battery management.

• Resistor Networks and Arrays

3. Magnetic Components

• Inductors – Including power inductors for DC-DC converters, EMI suppression, and filtering.

• Transformers – Signal, pulse, and power transformers for networking and telecom.

• Chokes – Common mode chokes for EMI noise filtering.

These components are vital for applications like renewable energy, automotive power electronics, and telecommunications.

4. Sensors

Bourns offers a wide variety of sensor technologies:

• Position Sensors – Rotary and linear sensors for automotive and industrial automation.

• Speed Sensors – Magnetic sensors for detecting rotational speed.

• Environmental Sensors – For temperature, humidity, and pressure sensing.

Their sensors are AEC-Q200 qualified and widely adopted in electric vehicles, medical equipment, and robotics.

5. Encoders and Panel Controls

• Rotary Encoders – Used in human-machine interfaces (HMI) and control panels.

• Panel Controls – Used in audio, broadcasting, and control instrumentation.

6. ESD and Surge Protection

Bourns provides comprehensive ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) and surge protection products that comply with global safety standards, ensuring device longevity and data integrity.

7. Automotive Grade Components

Bourns supplies components that meet AEC-Q100/200 standards for high reliability under harsh automotive conditions. Products include:

• AEC-Q200-qualified inductors and resistors

• TVS diodes and ESD protectors for automotive electronics

• Position and speed sensors for EVs and ADAS

Technological Innovations

Bourns has always been at the forefront of innovation in passive component technologies. Here are some highlights:

• TBU® (Transient Blocking Units): These components offer ultra-fast circuit protection, reacting in nanoseconds to block harmful transient currents.

• Integrated Protection Modules: Combining various protection technologies (TVS + GDT + MOV) in one solution to simplify circuit design.

• AEC-Q200 Qualified Passive Components: Ensuring high reliability for automotive-grade solutions.

• Power Conversion Magnetics: High-current inductors and transformers designed for electric vehicles and high-efficiency DC-DC converters.

Industries and Applications

Sustainability and Quality Commitment

Bourns is dedicated to sustainable business practices and environmental stewardship:

• RoHS and REACH Compliance

• ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and IATF 16949 Certifications

• Conflict-Free Materials Policy

• Lean Manufacturing and Waste Reduction

All Bourns products undergo rigorous testing and quality assurance processes to ensure performance and safety in mission-critical environments.

Global Reach and Distribution

Bourns products are distributed globally via a strong network of authorized distributors, including:

• Xon Electronic – A top online distributor offering competitive pricing and global shipping.

• Digi-Key Electronics

• Mouser Electronics

• Arrow

• RS Components

• Avnet

These channels ensure easy availability, datasheets, reference designs, and engineering support for Bourns components worldwide.

Why Choose Bourns?

Popular Bourns Part Numbers

Conclusion

Bourns, Inc. has earned its reputation as a cornerstone of the global electronics industry by continually evolving its technologies and expanding its product offerings. With a relentless focus on innovation, reliability, and performance, Bourns provides critical components that power the electronic devices and systems shaping our modern world.

Whether you're designing an advanced driver-assistance system, building robust industrial controls, or developing the next generation of consumer tech, Bourns has the right components and technical expertise to help you succeed.