Adjustable power limiters protect systems against over-current faults and more

Designed to guard systems against over-current faults in addition to positive over-voltage and reverse-voltage faults, Maxim's MAX14721, MAX14722, and MAX14723 high-accuracy adjustable power limiters are now available from Mouser stock. When used with an optional external p-channel MOSFET, the devices also protect downstream circuitry from voltage faults up to ±60V. MAX14721-MAX14723 feature a low, 76mohm, on-resistance integrated FET. During start-up, these devices are designed to charge large capacitances on the output in a continuous mode for applications where large reservoir capacitors are used on the inputs to downstream devices. The MAX14721-MAX14723 also feature a dual-stage, current-limit mode in which the current is continuously limited to 1x, 1.5x, and 2x the programmed limit, respectively, for a short time after start-up. This enables faster charging of large loads during start-up. They also feature reverse-current and over-temperature protection. The devices operate over a -40C to 125C temperature range. Demonstration boards are also available. Typical applications include control and automation, high-power systems, HMIs, industrial power and motion system drives.