What are the differences between eFuse IC (electronic fuses) and load switch ICs?

Load switch ICs are mainly used to reduce the power consumption of the system and to set the power supply sequence. In contrast, eFuse IC is used to protect the subsequent ICs and circuits from overcurrents and overvoltages when the system fails or when hot-swapping or other hot-line insertion is performed. The major differences in eFuse IC over load switch ICs are:

[Differences in eFuse IC with respect to load switch ICs]

  • Acquired Safety Standards (IEC62368-1)
    International safety standard IEC62368-1 is required for ICT and AV equipment used in consumer and industrial commercial equipment to promptly and reliably cut off the power when an abnormality occurs in the equipment.
    Some of our eFuse ICs are certified as IC current limiters of this safety standard. For products that have acquired the IEC62368-1 safety standard, please check from the URL below.
  • Short circuit protection
    The short-circuit protection allows you to shut down the output in a very short period of time when the load short-circuit or VOUT pin short-circuits to GND.
  • Overcurrent protection function
    The output current can be limited by an external resistor at an arbitrary set value.
  • 2 recovery type from thermal shutdown
    Toshiba eFuse IC has 2 lineup of recovery operations from thermal shutdown.
    ・Auto-retry type: After detecting an over temperature condition and shutting down the output, the output is automatically turned on again after a certain period of time or cool down.
    ・Latch type: After detecting an over temperature condition and shutting down the output, it will continue to shut down the output until reset by the EN/UVLO signal.
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