ST extends VIPower portfolio with ultra-small and energy-saving intelligent power switch

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: STMicroelectronics has introduced an intelligent power switch (IPS) for use in industrial controls, which provides improved accuracy to minimize energy losses and prevent system errors when faults occur.

These advantages are achieved using ST's latest generation VIPower technology, which allows a lower overload current limit than competing devices to maintain stable power conditions while the system is recovering.

By providing an integrated solution for two output channels, the VNI2140J also simplifies design, enhances reliability, and saves pc-board space in equipment such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), peripheral I/O, industrial process controls, robotic systems, vending machines, alarm and security systems, and textile machines.

This new two-channel IC is an important addition to ST's VIPower portfolio, which already includes single-, quad- and octal-channel devices. The VNI2140J has a space-saving 6x5mm footprint and integrates all the necessary logic, driver circuitry, power stage, protection, and diagnostic functions.

The chip's inputs are 3.3V TTL/CMOS compatible; its outputs are connected in the high-side configuration; and two independent resistive, inductive or capacitive loads can be driven.

The chip's built-in shorted-load protection with independent active current limitation for each channel prevents load faults from pulling down the system power supply. If either channel becomes overloaded that channel is turned off independently while the other continues operating normally, and it is restarted automatically when the junction temperature has returned to normal.

If both channels are overloaded, they are restarted non-simultaneously to avoid drawing high peak currents from the power supply. Other features helping designers to deliver rugged, highly featured solutions include protection against loss of ground, as well as diagnostics such as open-load detection in the OFF state.