Undervoltage Protection
The MAX16126/MAX16127 monitor the input voltage
for undervoltage conditions. If the input voltage is below
the undervoltage threshold (VIN < VTH - VTH-HYS),
GATE goes low, turning off the external MOSFETs and
FLAG asserts. When the input voltage exceeds the
undervoltage threshold (VIN > VTH), GATE goes high
after a 150Fs delay (typ).
For the MAX16126/MAX16127, an external resistive
divider connected between TERM, UVSET, and GND
sets the undervoltage threshold (TERM is connected to
IN when SHDN is high).
Thermal Shutdown
The MAX16126/MAX16127 thermal shutdown feature
turns off the MOSFETs if the internal die tempera-
ture exceeds +145°C (TJ). By ensuring good thermal
coupling between the MOSFETs and the MAX16126/
MAX16127, the thermal shutdown can turn off the
MOSFETs if they overheat.
When the junction temperature exceeds TJ = +145°C
(typ), the internal thermal sensor signals the shutdown
logic, pulling the GATE voltage low and allowing the
device to cool. When TJ drops by 15°C (typ), GATE goes
high and the MOSFETs turn back on. Do not exceed
the absolute maximum junction-temperature rating of
TJ = +150°C.
Flag Output (FLAG)
An open-drain FLAG output indicates fault conditions.
During startup, FLAG is initially low and goes high
impedance when VOUT is greater than 90% of VIN if no
fault conditions are present. FLAG asserts low during
shutdown mode, an overvoltage, thermal shutdown, or
undervoltage fault, or when VOUT falls below 90% of VIN.
TERM Connection
The TERM connection has an internal switch to IN. In
shutdown (SHDN = GND), this switch is open. By con-
necting the voltage threshold resistive divider to TERM
instead of directly to IN, power dissipation in the resistive
divider can be eliminated and the shutdown supply cur-
rent reduced.
Reverse-Voltage Protection
The MAX16126/MAX16127 integrate reverse-voltage
protection, preventing damage to the downstream cir-
cuitry caused by battery reversal or negative transients.
The devices can withstand reverse voltage to -36V
without damage to themselves or the load. During a
reverse-voltage condition, the two external n-channel
MOSFETs are turned off, protecting the load. Connect
a 0.1µF ceramic capacitor from IN to GND, connect a
10nF ceramic capacitor from GATE to SRC, connect
10µF from OUTPUT to GND, and minimize the parasitic
capacitance from GATE to GND to have a fast reserve-
battery voltage-transient protection. During normal
operation, both MOSFETs are turned on and have a mini-
mal forward voltage drop, providing lower power dissipa-
tion and a much lower voltage drop than a reverse-battery
protection diode.
Applications Information
Automotive Electrical Transients
(Load Dump)
Automotive circuits generally require supply voltage
protection from various transient conditions that occur in
automotive systems. Several standards define various
pulses that can occur. Table 1 summarizes the pulses
from the ISO 7637-2 specification.
Most of the pulses can be mitigated with capaci-
tors and zener clamp diodes (see the Typical
Operating Characteristics and also the Increasing the
Input Voltage Protection Range section). The load dump
(pulse 5a and 5b) occurs when the alternator is charging
the battery and a battery terminal gets disconnected. Due
to the sudden change in load, the alternator goes out of
regulation and the bus voltage spikes. The pulse has a
rise time of about 10ms and a fall time of about 400ms,
but can extend out to 1s or more depending on the char-
acteristics of the charging system. The magnitude of the
pulse depends on the bus voltage and whether the system
is unsuppressed or uses central load-dump suppression
(generally implemented using very large clamp diodes
built into the alternator). Table 1 lists the worst-case
values from the ISO 7637-2 specification.
Cold crank (pulse 4) occurs when activating the starter
motor in cold weather with a marginal battery. Due to the
large load imposed by the starter motor, the bus voltage
sags. Since the MAX16126/MAX16127 can operate down
to 3V, the downstream circuitry can continue to operate
through a cold-crank condition. If desired, the undervolt-
age threshold can be increased so that the MOSFETs turn
off during a cold crank, disconnecting the downstream
circuitry. An output reservoir capacitor can be connected
from OUT to GND to provide energy to the circuit during
the cold-crank condition.
Refer to the ISO 7637-2 specification for details on pulse
waveforms, test conditions, and test fixtures.
MAX16126/MAX16127 Load-Dump/Reverse-Voltage Protection Circuits
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