Free electronic component samples

2008 January 4

by va3stl

A few weeks back I was searching for some semiconductor switches for a project I have planned. As I was searching the Maxim website (no not the site related to the magazine, the electronic component manufacture!!) and reading the data sheets I noticed that you can request free samples. So, I produced a list of components that could be useful for what I needed and requested some. Today I received a couple of packages with eight semiconductor ICs. This is a great service for the homebrewer who wants only a specific IC or two. One thing I should point out are that many of the ICs are surface mount packaged, so if you are wanting the larger DIP packaging then look and order carefully. As I plan on experimenting with surface mount components I did order some of the SOIC packaged items.

Thank you Maxim for a great service.

What’s the project you ask? Well that will be for a future post.

7 Responses leave one →

2008 February 7

indra permalink

How to get free samples of Maxim’s component???

Reply
2008 February 7

va3stl permalink

Indra,

Thanks for the question.

Here is what I did. Go to the Maxim website: http://www.maxim-ic.com/ and look for the component you want.

For example, here is the page for the audio/video switches
http://para.maxim-ic.com/cache/en/results/39477.html

Look at the right hand side and you will see ‘ordering information’ at the end of the row for a component. Click on that and you will find something like

http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/t/or/qv_pk/2080

Here you can see options to buy as well as an option for a sample. Of course not all product are available free. Note the pdf of the data sheet for the component is available there. I recommend you check the specs before selecting to make sure it is what you want for your application.

They will want details about you when you go to check-out your samples and you can only request a few, but you have to option to buy as well.

I hope this helps you.

73
Alan

Reply
- 2009 September 16
  
  Silvrado permalink
  
  i did that and got page saying…..
  
  Order Denial
  
  Sorry, we do not support sample requests from distributor/resellers via this site. Go to Buy Now link above in order to place a purchase order or click here.
  
  What should i do??
  
  Reply
  - 2009 September 16
    
    va3stl permalink
    
    Silvrado,
    
    Not sure why that would happen. Perhaps they may have changed their policy on samples.
    Perhaps try your search via this page
    https://shop.maxim-ic.com/storefront/searchsample.do?menuitem=Sample&event=SampleSearchLoad
    
    I hope this helps.
    
    Alan
2008 April 22

384 permalink

Awesome! I hope they ship to Australia…
You can order free samples from National Semiconductor as well, but only surface-mount stuff, as far as I can tell.
Fairchild also offers free samples, but I think not outside the USA. (I didn’t check, but they don’t ship to Aus.)

Reply
2009 August 26

w.j.s.p.e.p. de silva permalink

i am engineering student in institute of engineering technology sri lanka can i get sample from you a company

Reply
- 2009 September 2
  
  va3stl permalink
  
  Thanks for the comment.
  Sorry I am not a company so cannot supply samples. My post does show how you can get sample ics from Maxim.
  
  Reply