Customers frequently inquire about the differences between CODACA’s automotive-grade and industrial-grade inductors, as some products look very similar externally. To address these questions, today we will discuss the distinctions from the perspectives of product naming, standard specifications, quality management systems/documentation, product performance, and external design.
1- Product Naming
Automotive-grade inductors, as the name implies, are designed specifically for automotive electronics, fulfilling stringent reliability requirements for automotive applications. Industrial-grade inductors, on the other hand, are primarily used in industrial power supplies, industrial control systems, renewable energy, telecommunications, and similar fields.
CODACA’s automotive-grade inductors feature model names beginning with the letter "V" (for Vehicle). Common series include automotive-grade molded inductors such as VSAB, VSHB, VSHB-T, VSEB-H series, automotive-grade high-current inductors such as VSRU, and automotive-grade rod-core inductors like VRKL0740.
Regarding industrial-grade inductors, CODACA offers a diverse range of product models suitable for various applications. Essentially, all CODACA inductors, except those explicitly marked as automotive-grade, are classified as industrial-grade inductors.
2- Quality Management Systems & Documentation
The quality management systems and requirements for industrial-grade and automotive-grade inductors differ significantly. Automotive-grade products have stricter requirements concerning product development processes, reliability tests, quality management systems, production process controls, and raw material specifications. Consequently, automotive-grade inductors require more comprehensive documentation.
For industrial-grade products, CODACA provides documents such as Datasheet Approval Forms, National Standard Reliability Test Reports (7 items), environmental compliance documentation (RoHS, REACH, halogen-free), and FMD/MSDS.
Automotive-grade products require additional compliance, including:
◾ APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) for product development
◾ AEC-Q200 reliability testing
◾ Production on strictly defined production lines
◾ IATF16949 certification
◾ Standard process control (VDA6.3 standards for German automotive applications)
◾ PPAP (Production Part Approval Process, CODACA offers PPAP Level 3)
◾ IMDS/CAMDS (International Material Data System/China Automotive Material Data System)
◾ Critical performance index (CPK) ≥ 1.67
3- AEC-Q200 Testing
AEC-Q200 is a reliability testing standard for passive automotive components defined by the Automotive Electronics Council. All automotive-grade inductors must pass the AEC-Q200 tests, which evaluate electrical performance, mechanical shock, vibration resistance, terminal strength, solderability, humidity resistance, temperature cycling, and high-temperature storage, among others.
All CODACA automotive-grade inductors meet AEC-Q200 standards, achieving the highest Grade 0 level with an operating temperature range from -55°C to +165°C, even surpassing typical Grade 0 temperature specifications.
CODACA possesses a CNAS-accredited laboratory, capable of independently performing reliability tests per AEC-Q200 standards. To offer customers high-value products capable of handling demanding industrial environments, some of CODACA’s industrial-grade inductors also pass AEC-Q200 tests, with an operating temperature range from -55°C to +155°C. Although comparable in temperature tolerance and quality, these industrial-grade inductors still differ fundamentally from automotive-grade inductors.
4- Product Comparison
To provide a clearer understanding, let’s compare the CSAB series (industrial-grade molded inductors) with the VSHB series (automotive-grade molded inductors):
4.1 Appearance and Terminal Size
CSAB: Narrow terminal design, vibration resistance ≥ 5G (meeting basic AEC-Q200 standards).
VSHB: Wider terminals with vibration resistance ≥ 10G, offering superior mechanical robustness and vibration resistance.
4.2 Magnetic Core Materials & Voltage Resistance
Both series use low-loss alloy powder cores:
CSAB: Cold-pressed molding technique.
VSHB: Innovative low-pressure hot-press molding technique, significantly enhancing core strength, density, and voltage resistance. Lower molding pressures reduce coil deformation, addressing cracking issues fundamentally.
4.3 Basic Characteristics
Due to innovative manufacturing processes, VSHB inductors have higher permeability, allowing fewer coil turns and thicker wire diameters, thus providing superior DCR (direct current resistance) and higher rated current.
4.4 Additional Performance
CSAB: Maximum operating frequency up to 800kHz, temperature range -40°C to +125°C (AEC-Q200 Grade 1).
VSHB: Maximum operating frequency up to 1000kHz, temperature range -55°C to +165°C (AEC-Q200 Grade 0), ideal for automotive high-frequency applications.
VSHB series also offer stronger terminal strength and vibration resistance (up to 10G).
4.5 Product Design
CSAB: Inner-outer winding design, using laser welding (some models use resistance welding).
VSHB: Outer-outer winding design, reducing short-circuit risks, employing 100% resistance welding, ensuring higher reliability.
4.6 Marking Method
CSAB: Ink marking, which may fade over time.
VSHB: Laser marking, ensuring long-term visibility.
5- Conclusion
Compared with industrial-grade inductors, automotive-grade inductors must withstand more complex and demanding operating environments, necessitating higher temperature and voltage tolerances, superior vibration resistance, and greater reliability. This calls for robust quality management systems, rigorous process controls, and comprehensive testing capabilities.
With 24 years dedicated to developing inductors, CODACA provides low-loss, high-reliability inductor solutions for industrial, renewable energy, and automotive electronics applications. CODACA rigorously selects raw material suppliers, strictly adheres to APQP for product development, and holds IATF16949 certification. It also independently conducts AEC-Q200 testing in a CNAS-accredited laboratory. Moreover, CODACA’s experienced R&D team designs customized inductors rapidly, meeting diverse customer requirements and maintaining industry-leading quality standards.