Because of automotive electronics, 8-inch wafer foundry capacity is tight

The semiconductor industry is currently experiencing a surge in demand for 8-inch wafer foundry capacity, driven largely by the booming growth of automotive electronics and the Internet of Things (IoT). As we move into the traditional peak season in the second half of the year, fabrication plants are operating at full capacity. In Q3 2017, both TSMC and UMC reported that their 8-inch wafer foundries were fully loaded, with orders extending well into October. This tight supply situation is primarily fueled by the increasing need for chips used in automotive applications, such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, and electric vehicle components. These chips are typically manufactured on 8-inch wafers due to their cost-effectiveness and suitability for mass production. As a result, many manufacturers are expanding their existing facilities or planning new 8-inch wafer fabs to meet rising demand. According to SEMI, global 8-inch wafer production capacity is expected to reach 5.7 million units per month by 2020, surpassing the 2007 record. In 2016, there were 188 active 8-inch wafer fabs worldwide, and this number is projected to grow to 197 by 2021, representing a 4.7% increase. China is expected to lead the way in 8-inch wafer capacity, with a 34% growth rate from 2017 to 2021. Southeast Asia and the U.S. will also see significant growth, at 29% and 12%, respectively. The recovery of 8-inch wafer production is not just about meeting current demand—it's also about preparing for future market needs. With the growing adoption of IoT devices and the expansion of the automotive electronics sector, the demand for these chips is only going to increase. Industry experts believe that the tightness in 8-inch wafer capacity will continue throughout 2017, which could lead to an increase in the average selling price (ASP) of wafers in the second half of the year. In summary, automotive electronics have become a major driver of the 8-inch wafer foundry industry. As the demand for smart vehicles and connected devices continues to rise, the pressure on 8-inch wafer capacity will remain high, pushing manufacturers to invest in new facilities and expand existing ones. This trend highlights the critical role that 8-inch wafers play in supporting the next generation of technology. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving landscape.

Digital Timer Switch Socket

Instruction Manual

1. Features

Clock display, 10 sets of adjustable timed power control, randomized power control, manual switch and optional DST setup.

2. First time charging

This timer contains a rechargeable battery. It is normal that the new/old model runs out of battery if it wasn`t being charged for a long period of time. In this case, the screen will not turn on.

To charge : simply plug the timer to a power outlet. The charging time should take at least 15 minutes.

If the screen doesn`t light up or displays garbled characters, simply reboot the system by pressing the [RESET" button.

3. Set clock


Hold [CLOCK" button and [WEEK" button to adjust week.

Hold [CLOCK" button and [HOUR" button to adjust hour.

Hold [CLOCK" button and [MINUTE" button to adjust minute.

Hold [CLOCK" button and [TIMER" button to select 12 hour/24 hour display.

Hold [CLOCK" button and [ON/AUTO/OFF" button to enable/disable DST (daylight-saving-time).

4. Set timer

Press [TIMER" button, select and set timer. Setting rotation : 1on, 1off, 2on, 2off, ...... , 10on, 10off.

Press [HOUR" button to set hour for timer.

Press [MIN" button to set minute for timer.

Press [WEEK" button to set weekday for timer. Multiple weekdays can be selected. ex: if selected [MO", the timer will only apply on every Monday; if selected [ MO, WE, FR", the timer will apply on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.


Press [RES/RCL" button to cancel the selected on or off timer. The screen will show "-- -- : -- --" , the timer is canceled.

Press [RES/RCL" button again to reactivate the timer.


When timers are set, press [CLOCK" to quit timer setting and return to clock.

5. Random function


Press [RANDOM" button to activate random function, press again to cancel function.

System only runs random function when [AUTO" is on.

Random function will automatically start the timer from 2 to 32 minutes after the setting.

ex : if timer 1on was set to 19:30 with the random function on, the timer will activate randomly between 19:33 to 20:03.

if timer 1off was set to 23:00 with the random function on, the timer will activate randomly between 23:02 to 23:32.

To avoid overlapping, make sure to leave a minimum of 31 minutes gap between different sets of timer.

6. Manual control

Displayed features:

ON : socket turns on.

OFF : socket turns off.

AUTO : socket turns on/off automatically via timer.

Manual ON setting

Press [ON/AUTO/OFF" button to switch from [AUTO" to [ON".

This mode allows socket of the device to power up. Power indicator will light up.

Manual OFF setting

Press [ON/AUTO/OFF" button to switch from [AUTO" to [OFF".

This mode turns socket of the device off. Power indicators will turn off.

7. Electrical parameters

Operating voltage : 230VAC

Battery : NiMh 1.2V

Power consumption : < 0.9W

Response time : 1 minute

Power output : 230VAC/16A/3680W

Q&A

Q: Why won`t my timer turn on?

A: It`s out of battery, you can charge the timer by plugging onto any power outlet. Charge the device for at least 15 minutes. Then press [RESET " button to reset the device.

Q: Can I set seconds of the timer?

A: No, the smallest time unit is minute.

Q: Does my timer keeps old settings without being plugged onto a power outlet?

A: Yes, the timer has an internal battery, it allows the timer to save settings without a power outlet.

Q: Is the battery rechargeable?

A: Yes, the battery is rechargeable. We recommend to charge it for 4 hours so the battery is fully charged.

Q: Does the timer needs internet connection?

A: The timer does not need internet.

Q: Does the screen have back light function?

A: It doesn`t support back light.

Digital Timer Socket, Timing Switch Socket, Electronic Timer Socket, Timer Socket

NINGBO COWELL ELECTRONICS & TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD , https://www.cowellsockets.com