The Grand Free Samples List
Here is a collection I have accumulated over time of the manufacturers that will (or will not) give free samples. Please, when ordering samples, keep these guidlines in mind:
- Do not resell samples, it is dishonorable.
- Only order samples if you will use them. If you don't know what a bridge rectifier is, don't sample it!
- Avoid using yahoo, gmail, live, or other free email accounts. If possible, use a custom domain email account, or a edu account.
- Do not order too often - once a week is pushing the limits.
- Be prepared to be contacted by phone.
- If you do not have a company, just put "student" or "hobbyist". Student usually works better.
List of Good Sample Locations
Texas Instruments
Great place for general semiconductors. Watch out, do not order too frequently or you may be blacklisted.
Maxim
Another great place for semiconductors.
Analog
Good selection of sensors.
National Semiconductor
Note that the vast majority of their interesting products incur a shipping fee. Also a business email is mandatory.
Fairchild Semicondcutor
I like their selection of MOSFETs. Business email may not be required. Maximum of 10pcs per part, maximum of 5 parts.
Linear Technologies
Main supplier of great DC-DC converters.
Allegro Microsystems
Hall effect sensors and DC-DC converters
Keystone Electronics
Battery holders
ST Microelectronics
More general semiconductors
Sensiron
Offers a few sensor devices. You can only sample them when the web site says they are available. I managed to snag a differential pressure sensor.
CoilCraft
Inductors
Intersil
Placed a request for two RTCs. Maximum of 2pcs per part, max 5 parts.
Connectors
Tyco Electronics
Mill-Max
Sam-Tec
Molex
FCI
Kycon
Fastex
On-Shore
RIA Connect
Sample Limbo
Kind of good, kind of bad.
Atmel
Samples are shipped from a regional office. Do not use the online sample order request, you will not recieve them. Contact your local Atmel office.
Phillips Semi
Sample order system seems to be broken, it does not work for me.
Bivar
Specializes in LEDs. Site seems to be loading slowly.
Lairdtech
Contacts via email. May be okay if you respond in a professional manner.
Exar
Must contact regional office to get samples.
Vishay
No matter what product I try, its says "Contact your regional office"
Optek
They use "NeedASample" program. Must come up with project name and description. Individual office handles requests.
FOX Online
Requires official business registration, but still shipped first order.
OKW
Placed a request for two enclosures. They sent one, and requested I pay for future ones (since they shipped overseas)
Heyco
Got some rubber feet. Very useful!
The Unknowns
No word yet on these.
Lumex
LED stuff. May not have a good selection of samples available.
Cirrus Logic
I couldn't really find anything useful from them.
Silicon Laboratories
Some 8051 stuff. I did not find anything of use to me.
Central Semiconductor
Have not found anything very useful.
Zilog
Have not found anything very useful.
Infineon
Can not find anything interesting.
Delevan
Inductors/transformers. Nothing of interest to me.
List of Bad Samples
These guys just don't really work out.
Microsemi
Denied request for light sensor. They contact you by either phone or email.
Snaptron
Random switch domes. Never arrived.
MEC
Random illuminated switches. Did not arrive.
APEM
Random illuminated switches. Did not arrive.
Micrometals
Lots of toroids. Never arrived.
Purdy Electronics
Nice name. Specializes in displays. Display never arrived.
Bourns
Requested rotary encoder, never came.
SUN LED USA
Placed request for a bar graph array, and it never got here.
Microchip
Makers of the famous PIC series. Used to offer good sample program, however now incurs a shipping charge on all orders.
Cypress
Handling fee incurred on all orders.
ON Semi
Shipping and handling fee incurred on all orders.
Ramtron
Never got any contact from them.
MarkTech
Only does business with verified businesses
Sensitron
They manually verify if the company you registered with is legitimate.
Philips Lumileds
Does not offer a sample program anymore.
E-Switch
Needs shipping account
PUI
Speakers/buzzers
NKK Switches
Placed request for 9 illuminated buttons, will see if it gets here.
Links
Want some more sample info? Check these out!
An old list, but very big.
http://www.dutchforce.com/~eforum/index.php?showtopic=13348
Ladyada delivers again with her guide to getting samples! Be sure to check out her site and store.
http://www.ladyada.net/library/procure/samples.html
Well, some instructables on free samples.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Free_Electronic_Samples/
http://www.instructables.com/id/List-of-free-sample-programs-for-electronic-compon/
http://www.instructables.com/id/List-Of-FREE-STUFF-For-your-projects/