Excess Current Protection

Overcurrent protection is a function that protects the power supply and loads to prevent the output current from exceeding a specified value due to output short or other reason. Systems are designed to detect an overcurrent condition and stop the output before a malfunction, failure or breakdown occurs in the power supply IC or system. The overcurrent protection operations include a latch type where the output latches OFF when a high load continues for a certain time or longer; a reset type where the output restarts automatically after a certain period of time elapses after turning OFF; and a foldback type where drooping is performed for the protective setting itself to limit the output current when overcurrent flows. The overcurrent detection values and droop characteristics vary according to the model. Products include current limiting elements, circuit-board mount fuses, circuit-board mount breakers and safety disconnect switches.