SMD Ferrite Beads

13th June 2025

Ferrite beads are a surface mounted device (SMD) fitted at PCB level, typically near the point of entry for cables or power supplies. They are used to filter out higher frequency noise on a power line. In addition they increase the impedance over a certain band of frequencies.

The SMD beads are a high permeable material which means they effectively collect magnetic fields. As they collect magnetic fields they limit the ability of the fields to change rapidly. Thus they act as a filter of high energy.

Ferrite beads exhibit an inductive region or band where the impedance linearly increases vs frequency. They exhibit an inductive region or band which is located in the mid-band range of the bead, which is also where the impedance is the highest. Thus SMD ferrites can act as a great loss mechanism at their mid-band frequency. Then at high end band frequencies they start to act capacitive as they come out of the restive band as the frequency increases.

Multilayer chip beads are lower cost compared to traditional inductors or ferrite cores. Their compact size makes then an ideal solution for small electronic devices. In addition to this they provide excellent solderability and high heat resistance for either wave soldering or reflow. The monolithic structure provides high reliability and stable performance.

Ferrite Bead Profiles

  • 0201 (0603 metric) profile – Micro sized ferrite beads designed for space saving and small devices.
  • High Current Profile – For high current DC power lines and circuits where stable grounding is unavailable. We offer current rating of 1A to 6A.
  • 4 Line Chip Bead: Combines four single 160808 (0603) ferrite chips to reduce board space and assembly time.

Typical applications for our MEC SMD beads include automotive, communication devices, household electronic devices, energy management systems and medical devices. ROHS and REACH compliant, halogen free and can meet ISO/TS 16949 standards. You can purchase product lines from our distributor Farnell. Alternatively, please contact our sales team for further assistance.