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Overcurrent Protection
Overtemperature Protection (OTP)
Differential Output Voltage Remote Sense
www.ti.com ...................................................................................................................................................... SLTS276D – OCTOBER 2006 – REVISED JULY 2009
For protection against load faults, all modules incorporate output overcurrent protection. Applying a load that
exceeds the regulator's overcurrent threshold causes the regulated output to shut down. Following shutdown, the
module periodically attempts to recover by initiating a soft-start power-up. This is described as a hiccup mode of
operation, whereby the module continues in a cycle of successive shutdown and power up until the load fault is
removed. During this period, the average current flowing into the fault is significantly reduced. Once the fault is
removed, the module automatically recovers and returns to normal operation.
A thermal shutdown mechanism protects the module’s internal circuitry against excessively high temperatures. A
rise in the internal temperature may be the result of a drop in airflow, or a high ambient temperature. If the
internal temperature exceeds the OTP threshold, the module’s Inhibit control is internally pulled low. This turns
the output off. The output voltage drops as the external output capacitors are discharged by the load circuit. The
recovery is automatic, and begins with a soft-start power up. It occurs when the sensed temperature decreases
by about 10°C below the trip point.
The overtemperature protection is a last resort mechanism to prevent thermal stress to the regulator.
Operation at or close to the thermal shutdown temperature is not recommended and reduces the long-term
reliability of the module. Always operate the regulator within the specified safe operating area (SOA) limits for
the worst-case conditions of ambient temperature and airflow.
Differential remote sense improves the load regulation performance of the module by allowing it to compensate
for any IR voltage drop between its output and the load in either the positive or return path. An IR drop is caused
by the output current flowing through the small amount of pin and trace resistance. With the sense pins
connected, the difference between the voltage measured directly between the VO and GND pins, and that
measured at the Sense pins, is the amount of IR drop being compensated by the regulator. This should be
limited to a maximum of 0.3V. Connecting the +Sense (pin 6) to the positive load terminal improves the load
regulation at the connection point. For optimal behavior the –Sense (pin 7) must be connected to GND (pin 4)
close to the module (within 10 cm).
If the remote sense feature is not used at the load, connect the +Sense pin to VO (pin5) and connect the –Sense
pin to the module GND (pin 4).
The remote sense feature is not designed to compensate for the forward drop of nonlinear or frequency
dependent components that may be placed in series with the converter output. Examples include OR-ing
diodes, filter inductors, ferrite beads, and fuses. When these components are enclosed by the remote sense
connection they are effectively placed inside the regulation control loop, which can adversely affect the
stability of the regulator.
Copyright 2006–2009, Texas Instruments Incorporated
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