Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC – 1.0 µH Shielded SMD Power Inductor
Coilcraft’s XFL4020-102MEC is a compact, magnetically shielded, wirewound power inductor designed for high-efficiency power conversion. Part of the XFL4020 low-loss series, this 1.0 µH (±20%) SMD inductor brings low-profile packaging and robust construction to point-of-load (POL) regulators, buck/boost DC-DC converters, and general filtering stages. With RoHS-compliant, halogen-free materials and a 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 mm nominal footprint, the Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC helps engineers achieve high power density without compromising EMI performance.
The XFL4020 series is known for low core and copper losses compared to conventional power inductors in similar footprints. While specific electrical limits such as DCR and current ratings must be taken from the official datasheet for the -102MEC value code, the series orientation and form factor make this device a strong candidate for space-constrained, efficiency-driven designs.
At a Glance
- Brand / Manufacturer: Coilcraft (Coilcraft, Inc.)
- MPN: XFL4020-102MEC
- Series: XFL4020
- Category: Power Inductors (Fixed)
- Inductance: 1.0 µH
- Tolerance: ±20% (M)
- Construction: Shielded, wirewound power inductor
- Mounting: SMD (Surface Mount)
- Package footprint: 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 mm (nominal)
- Terminals: 2
- Packaging: Tape & Reel
- Lifecycle status: Active
- Compliance: RoHS Compliant; Halogen-Free
Why Choose Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC?
Engineers select the Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC when they need a balance of small size, magnetic shielding, and credible series pedigree for low-loss operation. The 4.0 mm square, 2.0 mm high body is well-suited to dense layouts on modern multi-rail systems, while magnetic shielding helps limit stray fields and crosstalk in crowded mixed-signal boards.
Beyond its compact form factor, the XFL4020 series is designed to minimize AC and DC losses, which often allows designers to push switching frequencies higher or reduce thermal stress on the regulator, depending on system priorities. Because precise DCR and saturation/thermal current ratings are application-critical, always confirm the exact values for the -102MEC option in the XFL4020 datasheet before finalizing a design.
Technical Specifications
Electrical parameters
- Inductance: 1.0 µH
- Inductance code: 102
- Tolerance: ±20% (M)
- Core/series positioning: Low-loss XFL4020 family
- Shielding: Yes (magnetically shielded)
- DCR: Not specified in datasheet
- Isat/Irms/thermal current: Not specified in datasheet
- Self-resonant frequency (SRF): Not specified in datasheet
- Operating temperature range: Not specified in datasheet
Note: Electrical ratings such as DCR and current handling vary by inductance code and must be validated in the official Coilcraft XFL4020 datasheet for the 102 value. The datasheet and product page links are provided in the Resources section.
Mechanical and packaging
- Package footprint: 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 mm (nominal)
- Mounting type: Surface Mount (SMD)
- Terminations: 2
- Packaging: Tape & Reel
- Land pattern and pad geometry: Not specified in datasheet
- Weight: Not specified in datasheet
Materials and compliance
- RoHS status: RoHS Compliant
- Halogen-free: Yes
- Moisture sensitivity (MSL): Not specified in datasheet
Applications and Use Cases
DC-DC Converters (Buck/Boost)
The Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC targets synchronous and non-synchronous topologies where low core loss and tight magnetic containment help maintain efficiency while limiting EMI. Typical placements include:
- Battery-powered systems where PCB area and height are limited
- Point-of-load down-conversion on processor, FPGA, and ASIC rails
- Pre-regulators in distributed power architectures
Point-of-Load (POL) Regulators
POL rails serving CPUs, MCUs, FPGAs, and high-speed memory demand inductors that maintain efficiency across dynamic load steps. The magnetically shielded construction of the XFL4020 series helps reduce noise coupling to sensitive traces and adjacent passives, assisting with compliance to system-level EMI targets.
General-Purpose Power Supply Filtering
Beyond main conversion stages, the XFL4020-102MEC is a fit for LC filters in power entry and local bypass nodes, where the combination of shielded field containment and compact size supports clean power delivery in mixed-signal and RF-adjacent sections.
Design-In Considerations
- Validate current ratings against your worst-case thermal environment. While the XFL4020 series is optimized for low loss, peak current and temperature rise limits must be verified for the 1.0 µH code specifically.
- Check DCR at operating temperature. Real-world copper resistance increases with heat; confirm expected DCR across the anticipated thermal range from the datasheet curves (if available) to ensure efficiency targets are met.
- Review SRF margin relative to switching frequency and harmonics. Although SRF is not provided here, ensure adequate headroom to avoid excessive impedance roll-off near your operating band.
- Layout carefully for low EMI. Keep the inductor loop area small, place input/output capacitors tight to the switch node, and leverage the XFL4020’s shielding by avoiding unnecessary cutouts directly under the component unless recommended by the manufacturer.
- Simulate with vendor models if available. When accessible from Coilcraft, S-parameters or SPICE models can accelerate stability and transient analysis. If not available for this exact code, consult the product page for guidance or series-level models.
Lifecycle, Availability, and Sourcing
- Lifecycle status: Active
- Approved alternates: None listed
- Replacements: None listed
- Inventory indicator: 0 units available in the provided dataset (availability may vary; check current stock or lead time)
- Packaging for production: Tape & Reel for automated assembly
The Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC is part of an active series, making it a practical choice for new designs from a lifecycle perspective. For builds requiring second-source risk mitigation, consider qualifying multiple inductor values from the XFL4020 family at design-time (if your control loop tolerates value flexibility), but note that no direct replacements or approved alternates are specified here. Always reconfirm lead times and lot availability prior to release to manufacturing.
Compliance and Environmental
- RoHS compliant: Yes
- Halogen-free: Yes
- Additional environmental details (e.g., REACH, MSL, Pb-free category, operating temperature): Not specified in datasheet
If your project requires formal documentation, pull the latest compliance declarations from Coilcraft’s product page or compliance portal. For high-reliability or safety-critical use, request manufacturer statements for long-term material stability and process controls.
How to Select the Right Inductor Value in the XFL4020 Family
While this page focuses on the Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC (1.0 µH), the same package is available in other inductance codes. Choosing the best value involves:
- Target ripple current: A 1.0 µH choice balances transient response and ripple current in many buck converters. Higher inductance lowers ripple but may slow transient response; lower inductance increases ripple and peak currents.
- Current headroom: Verify saturation and thermal current ratings for the 102 code. Ensure margin over worst-case load plus transient overshoot.
- Frequency plan: For higher switching frequencies, lower inductance values are often used to keep inductor size and losses reasonable. Ensure SRF margin remains adequate.
- Efficiency vs. transient trade-offs: Coordinate inductor selection with control-loop compensation to maintain stability and meet response requirements.
Always confirm the final selection against the exact current, DCR, and SRF data for XFL4020-102MEC in the official datasheet.
Practical Layout and Assembly Notes
- Place the inductor as close as possible to the switching node and associated MOSFET/controller to minimize loop area.
- Use a solid ground plane under the power stage; stitching vias near input/output capacitors help reduce impedance.
- Tape & Reel packaging supports high-volume SMT. Confirm pick-and-place nozzle size and component height limits with the 2.0 mm profile.
- Inspect for solder fillets per your IPC class; follow Coilcraft’s recommended land pattern from the datasheet.
- If thermal rise is a concern, consider copper pours tied to the inductor pads to improve heat spreading, while evaluating any effect on parasitics.
Specifications Summary
Core parameters
- Inductance: 1.0 µH
- Tolerance: ±20% (M)
- Inductance code: 102
- Construction: Shielded, wirewound power inductor
Package and mounting
- Series: XFL4020
- Footprint: 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 mm (nominal)
- Mounting: SMD
- Terminals: 2
- Packaging: Tape & Reel
Compliance and lifecycle
- RoHS: Compliant
- Halogen-free: Yes
- Lifecycle: Active
Parameters to verify in datasheet
- DCR: Not specified in datasheet
- Current ratings (Isat/Irms): Not specified in datasheet
- SRF: Not specified in datasheet
- Operating temperature range: Not specified in datasheet
FAQs
Q: What is the inductance value for Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC?
A: 1.0 µH with ±20% tolerance.
Q: Is the XFL4020-102MEC RoHS compliant and halogen-free?
A: Yes. It is specified as RoHS compliant and halogen-free.
Q: What applications is this inductor suited for?
A: High-efficiency DC-DC converters (buck/boost), point-of-load (POL) regulators, and general-purpose power supply filtering.
Q: What are the dimensions of the Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC?
A: Approximately 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.0 mm (nominal).
Q: Is the inductor magnetically shielded?
A: Yes, the XFL4020 series uses a magnetically shielded construction to reduce stray fields and EMI coupling.
Q: Where can I find DCR and current ratings for the -102MEC code?
A: Refer to the official Coilcraft XFL4020 datasheet and product page for the specific DCR, saturation/thermal current, and SRF values for XFL4020-102MEC.
Q: What is the lifecycle status of XFL4020-102MEC?
A: Active, according to the provided data.
Q: Are there approved alternates or direct replacements listed?
A: None are listed in the provided data. Check the Coilcraft product page for the latest recommendations if you require alternates.
Q: What packaging is available?
A: Tape & Reel for automated SMT assembly.
Q: Are there any special storage or MSL precautions?
A: Moisture sensitivity and storage conditions are not specified here. Consult the datasheet or Coilcraft handling guidelines for details.
Resources
- Product page: https://www.coilcraft.com/en-us/products/inductors/power/xfl/xfl4020/
- Datasheet: https://www.coilcraft.com/en-us/documents/datasheet/xfl4020.pdf
If your design requires additional documentation (e.g., compliance statements, reliability reports, or application notes), use the product page as the starting point or contact Coilcraft technical support. For procurement teams, confirm the latest lead times and lot availability with your authorized distributor and align your AVL accordingly with the Coilcraft XFL4020-102MEC part number.