Evaluating Fuses, Breakers, PTCs And Electronic Fuses For Automotive Applications
by Jerry Steele, Red Hill Labs, Tucson, Ariz., How2Power Today, Nov 16 2020
Focus:
This article explains the differences between the popular circuit protection devices
available to electronics designers including fuses, circuit breakers, PTCs and
electronically assisted circuit breakers also known as electronic fuses or eFuses. Their
tripping mechanisms and other characteristics such as isolation, accuracy, reset ability
and programmability are discussed with an eye toward evaluating their flexibility and
reliability, and helping designers to select the right device type for their applications.
This article uses examples from industrial devices to illustrate the functionality that is
needed for automotive applications and functional safety. It concludes by looking ahead to
the next step in the evolution of electronic fuses—a device that can meet functional
safety requirements by incorporating a classic fuse for physical disconnect.
What you’ll learn:
- How to understand the different operating mechanisms, strengths and weaknesses of fuses, circuit breakers, PTCs and eFuses
- How to select the appropriate style of circuit protection device
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