Housed in space-saving, 16-pin QSOPs, the MAX1894 and MAX1924 ICs protect 3- or 4-series Li+ cell battery packs against overvoltage and undervoltage conditions by monitoring individual cell voltages. They also protect against overcharge current, over-discharge current, and short-circuit conditions. In the advent of a fault, on-board drivers control external p-channel MOSFETs that disconnect the cells from the pack’s external terminals. Except for one current-sense resistor, all thresholds and fault delays require no external components and are pre-trimmed. Other features include a trickle-charge function that provides a low current path to charge a pack and two logic-level inputs that can be used by a MCU to disable the protection MOSFETs or to put the ICs into shutdown. Operating in the extended industrial temperature range of -40_C to +85_C, prices start at $2.50 each/1,000. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.
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