eFuses offer wide operating voltage range with active reverse blocking

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc has released four new eFuses that provide programmable current limits and OVP in the compact 3mm x 3mm TDFN package. Created to operate over a wide 2.8V to 23V input voltage range – with a 28 VIN DC tolerance – the 3.5A SiP32433A/B and 6A SiP32434A/B combine multiple control and protection features to simplify designs and minimise the requirement for external components.

While many competing solutions only provide voltages to 18V, or are missing their low voltage side, the input voltage range of the Vishay Siliconix single-channel load switches allows them to be employed in a broader range of designs. The devices are aimed at industrial and medical equipment, robotics, home automation systems, consumer goods, and gaming consoles, where they offer precise control and swift fault responses to improve the safety and reliability of system designs. Upon switch-off due to latchable faults in these applications, the SiP32433A and SiP32434A are intended to latch the power switch off, while the SiP32433B and SiP32434B will auto-retry after a settable time.

All four devices respond quickly to short circuits, and their precise OCP is triggered at a set current limit level with no excessive overhead current need – an important characteristic for designs in which power busses require to support multiple loads. Competing solutions often need overhead currents of more than 30%. The SiP32433A and SiP32433B with active reverse blocking target applications offering USB Type-C and multiple power source switching.

The load switches decrease on-resistance by 43% compared to previous-generation solutions, which translates into a 32% higher current capability or increased efficiency at the same current level. The 78mOhm SiP32433A/B has a current limit setting range of 0.3A to 3.5A, while the 33mOhm SiP32434A/B provides a range of 0.5A to 6A. Both devices ensure current limit accuracy down to ±8%, improve design flexibility, and simplify BOMs. The hot-swappable load switches offer a programmable turn-on slew rate, provide ESD tolerance of 2kV (human body model) and 0.75kV (charged device model), and operate over a temperature range of -40C to +125C.