IC Monitors High-Side Current

The ZXTCT1009 high-side current monitor IC in a SOT23 package allows a circuit to monitor the current in the high side supply while providing a signal referenced to ground. This is said to eliminate the need to disrupt the ground plane when sensing circuit or load currents.The device takes a high-side voltage developed across a current shunt resistor and translates it into a proportional output current. A user-defined output resistor scales the output current into a ground-referenced voltage. Input voltage range is from 2.5V to 20V with a typical quiescent current of 4 µA. Price is $0.50 each in production quantities. ZETEX, INC., Commack, NY. (631) 543-7100.