Compact photorelay with high ON-state current and high-speed switching

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH introduces the TLP3640A photorelay for factory automation and other industrial applications, including building automation, security systems, and measuring instruments.

The silent, normally open device replaces conventional 1-Form-A mechanical relays to enhance system reliability and lower power consumption. Housed in the four-pin SO4 package measuring only 2.6mm x 7mm (typ.), the mounting area is reduced by 70% compared to mechanical relays and 30% compared to the company's TLP3122A device, contributing to application downsizing and reducing PCB cost.

The new photorelay is fabricated using the company's proprietary chip-on-chip technology (3D integration technology with vertical chip stacking) to deliver an off-state output terminal voltage (VOFF) of 60V (min.), a constant on-state current (ION) of 1A (max.), and an on-state pulsed current (IONP) of up to 3A. The on-state resistance (RON) is 0.14-Ohm (typ.), allowing highly efficient operation, while the off-state current (IOFF) is 1µA (max.).

By improving the characteristics of the internal LED and photodiode arrays, the new device provides maximum switching times of 0.5ms (tON) and 0.2ms (tOFF). These higher switching speeds make the new product suitable for analogue interface sections in PLCs and gain-selectable amplifiers used in measuring instruments.

With a minimum isolation voltage (BVS) of 3750Vrms, the device is fully approved for UL1577 for safety-critical applications and cUL-recognised and VDE-approved. Also, compared to the existing TLP3122A device, which is rated for an operating temperature of between -40C and +85C, the TLP3640A operates to +110C (max.), enhancing the flexibility of the thermal design for the equipment.