Overcurrent Protection
Output On/Off Inhibit
PTH12060W
1
10
4
5
6
2
3
L
O
A
D
+
1=Inhibit
G ND
9
8
Q1
BSS138
7
G N D
R
2k
1%
0.1W
SET
C
330 F
O
m
C
560 F
I
m
V
I
V
O Sense
V
O
HORIZTAL SCALE:10ms/Div
Q1V
(5V/Div)
DS
V
(2V/Div)
O
I (2 A/Div)
I
SLTS237G – DECEMBER 2004 – REVISED MARCH 2009............................................................................................................................................... www.ti.com
For protection against load faults, all modules incorporate output overcurrent protection. Applying a load that
exceeds the regulator’s overcurrent threshold causes the regulated output to shut down. Following shutdown, a
module periodically attempt to recover by initiating a soft-start power-up. This is described as a hiccup mode of
operation, whereby the module continues in a cycle of successive shutdown and power up until the load fault is
removed. During this period, the average current flowing into the fault is significantly reduced. Once the fault is
removed, the module automatically recovers and returns to normal operation.
For applications requiring output voltage on/off control, each series of the PTH family incorporates an output
Inhibit control pin. The inhibit feature can be used wherever there is a requirement for the output voltage from the
regulator to be turned off.
The power modules function normally when the Inhibit pin is left open-circuit, providing a regulated output
whenever a valid source voltage is connected to VI with respect to GND.
Figure 12 shows the typical application of the inhibit function. Note the discrete transistor (Q1). The Inhibit input
has its own internal pull-up to a potential of 5 V to 13.2 V (see footnotes to electrical characteristics table). The
input is not compatible with TTL logic devices. An open-collector (or open-drain) discrete transistor is
recommended for control.
Figure 12. Inhibit Control Circuit
Turning Q1 on applies a low voltage to the Inhibit control pin and disables the output of the module. If Q1 is then
turned off, the module executes a soft-start power-up sequence. A regulated output voltage is produced within
25 ms.
Figure 13 shows the typical rise in both the output voltage and input current, following the turn-off of Q1.
The turn off of Q1 corresponds to the rise in the waveform, Q1 VDS. The waveforms were measured with a 5-A
constant current load.
Figure 13. Power-Up from Inhibit Control
16
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