Application Notes
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PT4840 Series
Operating Features of the PT4840 Triple-Output
DC/DC Converters
Over-Current Protection
The current limit function of the PT4840 series of
triple-output DC/DC converters is divided into two
zones. These are the high-voltage output Vo
1
, and the
two low-voltage outputs (combined) Vo
2
/Vo
3
.
A load fault applied to Vo
1
will cause this output voltage
to drop. A drop in Vo
1
(to less than 10V) will also cause
outputs Vo
2
and Vo
3
to simultaneously turn off. Load
faults applied to either Vo
2
or Vo
3
will cause both these
outputs to drop, but in this case Vo
1
will be unaffected.
Each protection zone incorporates a latch-off time-out
period of approximately 200ms. A transient or momentary
fault lasting less than this period will allow the prompt
recovery of all affected outputs. Faults applied for longer
than this period will cause the affected zone to latch off.
Faults applied to Vo
2
or Vo
3
results in the latch off of both
these outputs; Vo
1
being unaffected, whereas the latch
off of Vo
1
will shut down all three outputs. Recovery
from a latched shutdown condition requires the removal
and corresponding re-application of input power to the
converter.
Over-Temperature Protection
The PT4840 DC/DC converter series have an internal
temperature sensor, which monitors the temperature of
the module’s metal case. If the case temperature exceeds
a nominal 110°C the converter will shut down. The
converter will automatically restart when the sensed
temperature returns to about 100°C. The analog voltage
generated by the sensor is also made available at the
‘TEMP’ output (pin 5), and can be monitored by the host
system for diagnostic purposes. Consult the ‘Pin Descrip-
tions’ section of the data sheet for more information on
this feature.
Under-Voltage Lock-Out
The Under-Voltage Lock-Out (UVLO) circuit prevents
operation of the converter whenever the input voltage to
the module is insufficient to maintain output regulation.
The UVLO has approximately 2V of hysterisis. This is
to prevent oscillation with a slowly changing input voltage.
Below the UVLO threshold the module is off and the
enable control inputs, EN1 and EN2 are inoperative.
Primary-Secondary Isolation
The PT4840 series of DC/DC converters incorporate
electrical isolation between the input terminals (primary)
and the output terminals (secondary). All converters are
production tested to a withstand voltage of 1500VDC.
The isolation complies with UL60950 and EN60950,
and the requirements for operational isolation. This
allows the converter to be configured for either a positive
or negative input voltage source.
The regulation control circuitry for these modules is
located on the secondary (output) side of the isolation
barrier. Control signals are passed between the primary
and secondary sides of the converter via a proprietory
magnetic coupling scheme. This eliminates the use of
opto-couplers. The data sheet ‘Pin Descriptions’ and
‘Pin-Out Information’ provides guidance as to which
reference (primary or secondary) that must be used for
each of the external control signals.
Input Current Limiting
The converter is not internally fused.
For safety and
overall system protection, the maximum input current to
the converter must be limited. Active or passive current
limiting can be used. Passive current limiting can be a
fast acting fuse. A 125-V fuse, rated no more than 10A,
is recommended. Active current limiting can be imple-
mented with a current limited “Hot-Swap” controller.