LTC4214-1

The LTC4214-1 negative voltage Hot Swap^TM controller allows a board to be safely inserted and removed from a live backplane. Output current is controlled by three stages of current limiting: a timed circuit breaker, active current limiting and a fast feedforward path that limits peak current under worst-case catastrophic fault conditions.

Adjustable undervoltage and overvoltage detectors disconnect the load whenever the input supply exceeds the desired operating range. The LTC4214-1 controls negative supplies ranging from near zero to 16V. A multifunction timer delays initial start-up and controls the circuit breaker's response time. This response time is accelerated by sensing excessive MOSFET drain voltage, keeping the MOSFET within its safe operating area (SOA). An adjustable soft-start circuit of LTC4214-1 controls MOSFET inrush current at start-up. A power good status output can enable a power module at start-up or disable it if the circuit breaker trips.

The LTC4214-1 latches off after a circuit breaker fault times out. The LTC4214-2 provides automatic retry after a fault. The LTC4214 is available in the 10-pin MSOP package.