THE COMPONENT SIGNAL

Issue #010 · Monday, March 17, 2026 · Hormuz + Medical EMC + Korean Spotlight

The Hormuz closure — ongoing since late February — is now directly impacting electronics supply chains. The strait handles 20% of global oil transit, but the less-reported impact is on raw material shipping routes for metals processed in Southeast Asia.

What's affected:

• • Nickel matte from Indonesian smelters typically transits the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf for European and Middle Eastern processing. Rerouting adds 12–18 days via the Cape of Good Hope.
• • Tin ingots from Malaysian and Thai smelters serving European connector and solder manufacturers are delayed 2–3 weeks.
• • Copper cathode shipments from Central Asian mines (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan) that transit Iranian ports are halted entirely.

What we're hearing from Korean suppliers: Korean metals importers are reporting 15–20% spot premiums on nickel and tin for immediate delivery. Korean smelters that depend on Middle Eastern feedstock are drawing down inventories. The buffer is measured in weeks, not months.

For shield can buyers: If your shielding spec calls for nickel-silver or mu-metal, expect price increases in Q2. We're quoting nickel-silver shields 8–12% higher than January. Tin-plated cold-rolled steel is less exposed — tin supply routes are diversified enough to absorb the disruption, and CRS is domestically sourced in most markets. If you can spec CRS instead of nickel-silver for your application, now is the time to make that call.

What they make: Discrete semiconductors — diodes, transistors, MOSFETs, and voltage regulators. Headquarters: Gumi, Korea. Founded 1969. Production in Korea and the Philippines.

Why US buyers should know them: KEC is Korea's largest discrete semiconductor manufacturer and one of the few non-Chinese suppliers with competitive pricing on standard small-signal transistors and diodes. When the 2021 chip shortage hit discretes, KEC's capacity kept several automotive Tier 1s in production while ON Semi and Nexperia were on allocation.

Their automotive-qualified discrete portfolio (AEC-Q101) covers SOT-23, SOD-323, and DPAK packages — the building blocks of every power management and signal conditioning circuit. Lead times are currently 8–12 weeks, well below the MCU and MOSFET averages.

Where KEC fits your BOM: If you're dual-sourcing standard discretes (2N7002, BAT54, BC847) and your primary source is ON Semi or Nexperia at 16+ weeks, KEC is a qualified second source with shorter lead times and comparable pricing. Their datasheets follow JEDEC conventions — cross-referencing is straightforward.

The POCONS connection: Discrete semiconductors sit on the same boards as our shields. KEC's MOSFETs often drive the switching regulators that create the EMI our shields contain. Understanding what's inside the shield helps us design for the actual noise source.

The EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR 2017/745) transition deadline passed in 2024, but enforcement has been inconsistent. That's changing. In February, three Notified Bodies (BSI, TUV SUD, and DEKRA) issued updated guidance on EMC testing requirements for Class IIa and above medical devices.

Key changes:

• • IEC 60601-1-2:2024 (4th edition, Amendment 2) is now the minimum accepted EMC standard. Older test reports against the 3rd edition are being rejected during technical file reviews.
• • Radiated immunity testing must include the 5.15–5.85 GHz band (Wi-Fi 6/6E). Previous editions only required testing to 2.7 GHz.
• • Conducted immunity on power lines now extends to 150 kHz–80 MHz with a 10 V/m field strength.

For shielding: Medical devices that previously passed EMC with minimal board-level shielding may need redesigns to meet the expanded frequency range. The 5 GHz immunity requirement is especially challenging for wearable and portable devices where shield can size is constrained.

A medical device customer came to us after their wearable pulse oximeter failed the new 5.15–5.85 GHz immunity test. The device had passed the previous edition's 2.7 GHz limit with a simple stamped shield. At 5 GHz, the shield's cable exit aperture (1.5 mm) was electrically large enough to let the immunity field couple directly into the BLE radio. We added a 3 mm waveguide tunnel extension to the aperture. Passed with 7 dB margin. Shield cost increase: $0.06/unit.

If you're certifying a medical device to IEC 60601-1-2 this year, confirm your test lab is using the 4th edition with Amendment 2. If your previous test report was against the 3rd edition, it will be rejected by Notified Bodies. Budget for a retest — and check your shielding above 2.7 GHz before you book the chamber.