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Application Notes
27
PT4820 Series
Operating Features of the PT4820 Triple-Output
DC/DC Converters
Short-Circuit Protection
To protect against load faults the PT4820 series of triple-
output DC/DC converters incorporate output short-circuit
protection. When the combined output current from all
three outputs exceeds the over-current threshold (see data
sheet specifications), the PT4820 shuts down after a short
period of typically 15ms. This forces the output voltage
at all three regulated outputs to simultaneously fall to zero.
Following shutdown, the module automatically attempts
to recover by executing a soft-start power-up. This occurs
at intervals of approximately 65ms. If the load fault persists,
the module will continually cycle through successive over-
current trips and restarts.
Over-Temperature Protection
The PT4820 DC/DC converter series have an internal
temperature sensor, which monitors the temperature of
the module’s metal case. If the case temperature exceeds
a nominal 110°C the converter will shut down. The
converter will automatically restart when the sensed
temperature returns to about 100°C.
Under-Voltage Lock-Out
The Under-Voltage Lock-Out (UVLO) circuit prevents
operation of the converter whenever the input voltage to
the module is insufficient to maintain output regulation.
The UVLO has approximately 2V of hysterisis. This is
to prevent oscillation with a slowly changing input voltage.
Below the UVLO threshold the module is off and the
enable control inputs, EN1 and EN2 are inoperative.
On/Off Output Voltage Sequencing
The power-up characteristic of the PT4820 series of
DC/DC converters meets the requirements of micropro-
cessor and DSP chipsets. All three outputs are internally
sequenced to power-up in unison. Figure 1-1 shows the
PT4820 output voltage rise times and characteristic
shapes after either power is applied to the input of the
converter, or the converter is enabled using one of the
enable control inputs. All three output voltages rise
simultaneously and monotonically until each reaches its
respective output voltage. There is no turn-on overshoot
and the output voltages are proportional to each other
during power on.
Turn-On Time
The turn-on on time varies with the input voltage. The
typical turn-on time (measured from the application of a
valid input voltage to instance all outputs are in regulation)
is typically 140 milliseconds at Vin =48V. The rise time
of the output voltage is between 10 and 15 milliseconds.
Primary-Secondary Isolation
The PT4820 series of DC/DC converters incorporate
electrical isolation between the input terminals (primary)
and the output terminals (secondary). All converters are
production tested to a withstand voltage of 1500VDC.
The isolation complies with UL60950 and EN60950,
and the requirements for operational isolation. This
allows the converter to be configured for either a positive
or negative input voltage source.
The regulation control circuitry for these modules is
located on the secondary (output) side of the isolation
barrier. Control signals are passed between the primary
and secondary sides of the converter. The data sheet ‘Pin
Descriptions’ and ‘Pin-Out Information’ provides guid-
ance as to which reference, primary or secondary, each
pin is associated.
Input Current Limiting
The converter is not internally fused. For safety and
overall system protection, the maximum input current to
the converter must be limited. Active or passive current
limiting can be used. Passive current limiting can be a
fast acting fuse. A 125-V fuse, rated no more than 5A, is
recommended. Active current limiting can be imple-
mented with a current limited “Hot-Swap” controller.
Figure 1-1; Vo1, Vo2, Vo3 Power-Up Sequence
Vo1 (0.5V/Div)
Vo2 (0.5V/Div)
Vo3 (0.5V/Div)
HORIZ. SCALE: 2ms/Div