Linear Technology Debuts LTC4252 Hot-Swap Controllers

Linear Technology Corp. (Milpitas, CA) introduced its new LTC4252 -48V hot-swap controller. The LTC4252 controls current in three stages, which, together with a separate soft-start sequence for inrush current limiting at start-up, protects high-voltage telecom and networking systems while taking up minimal board space.

A slight over-current condition trips the circuit breaker if it persists for a programmed period of time. Larger over-current conditions are controlled via active current limiting, maintaining a safe power level in the MOSFET. Catastrophic over-current conditions due to a short-circuit will cause the circuit breaker to trip immediately, protecting the load and the MOSFET more quickly than the active current limit loop.

Offering multi-level current control, the controller features under-voltage and over-voltage level monitor pins (combined on the eight-pin version) that allow the user to define the operating voltage range for the system. The device itself can operate from -15V (minimum) to high negative voltages due to its floating topology. The MOSFET drain voltage is monitored and signals a power-good output (10-pin version) that can be used to enable a power module.

The LTC4252 is offered in eight-pin MSOP and 10-pin MSOP packages. Versions with latched-off operation after a fault (LTC4252-1) and automatic retry after a fault (LTC4252-2) are also offered. The device is specified for commercial and industrial temperature ranges.

Pricing starts at $1.95 each, in 1,000-piece quantities.