Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC4226, a dual Hot Swap controller, enabling safe board insertion into live 4.5V to 44V backplanes. The LTC4226 controls external N-channel MOSFETs to gently power up the board, avoiding sparks, connector damage and system glitches. Each supply is equipped with an electronic circuit breaker, and a higher current limit with three selectable levels. Picking the appropriate level allows the board to ride through noisy or brief load surges above the circuit breaker threshold without engaging the current limit and disturbing the output. A dual rate fault timer protects the MOSFET and system from long or damaging overcurrents. The LTC4226 offers a compact and rugged solution for hot plugging two supplies, either when they are well regulated (5V, 12V, 24V) or vary widely, as in battery-powered systems.
The LTC4226 ON pins implement an external adjustable UVLO while also sensing a fully seated connector. An integrated charge pump provides gate drive for standard N-channel MOSFETs, with internal 12V clamps protecting their gate oxide. Fault outputs indicate a circuit breaker timeout, but can also be pulled low to switch off the MOSFET. Wire-ORing multiple fault outputs turns off every LTC4226 when any one has an overcurrent fault. In single supply applications, the two Hot Swap channels are tied either in parallel for higher currents with smaller MOSFETs or in series for a bidirectional circuit breaker.
The LTC4226 is available in two options: the LTC4226-1 latches off after an overcurrent fault while the LTC4226-2 automatically retries after a 500ms delay. Specified over the full commercial and industrial temperature ranges, the LTC4226 is offered in compact 16-pin MSOP and 3mm x 3mm QFN packages. Pricing begins at $3.10 each for 1,000-piece quantities and the device is now available in production quantities. Evaluation circuit boards are available online or from your local Linear sales office.
Linear Technology
