Floating Surge Stopper Provides Unlimited Overvoltage Protection

Описание: with Hamza Afzal Applications Engineer, Mixed Signal Products

Protecting sensitive electronic circuitry from voltage transients is an essential part of any system be it automotive, industrial, avionics or even battery-powered consumer applications. Linear Technology offers a wide variety of solutions for these applications with its surge stopper family. The LTC®4366 (http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4366) is the new exciting member of this surge stopper family.

The LTC4366 is a high voltage surge stopper with a floating topology which allows it to suppress voltage transients far exceeding its ABS max ratings. Dual shunt regulators allow the part to float up with the supply and suppress transients at a user defined level. The voltage is regulated with the help of an external MOSFET which is controlled by the LTC4366. The operating voltage can literally be thousands of volts with the only limitation being the safe operating area (SOA) of the MOSFET used in conjunction with the part. Once the output reaches the clamp voltage a timer runs. Once the timer expires the LTC4366 turns the MOSFET off. The timer and clamp voltage are adjustable, allowing full flexibility to the user. During operation, the entire circuit consumes only a few milliamperes. The device may be shut down to less than 20µA making it an ideal solution for the power conscious.

High voltage applications include protecting from motor transients, coupled overvoltage, incorrect input supplies or power supply failures. While traditional protection circuitry relies on bulky inductors, capacitors, fuses and transient voltage suppressors to clamp the transient, the LTC4366 protects by series regulating the transient. It is packaged in a tiny 8-lead TSOT-23 and 3mm x 2mm DFN packages.