The switches satisfy standardised requirements for interface types C and D in Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Class 3 applications. They have a power-on delay of less than 60µs and a wide input voltage range (8.0 to 60V). Other features are a maximum switch resistance (RDS(on)) of 120mΩ and10µs rise/fall time with 20µs propagation delay for low power dissipation and fast responses in designs. Other features are diagnostics which indicate open load, over-current cut-off and over-temperature shutdown. In addition to the protection features, the switches have an integrated logic interface and driving circuitry. There is also an n-channel power MOSFET output stage which is internally limited at 2.5A minimum (IPS160HF) or 0.7A (IPS161HF). Both devices withstand an applied supply voltage of up to 65V and integrate active clamp circuitry for handling inductive loads.

Both switches drive complex resistive, capacitive, and inductive loads with one side connected to ground, such as valves, relays, and lamps. They can be used in SIL-rated applications such as safety sensors, as well as general factory automation and process control equipment such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), I/O peripherals, and computer numerical control (CNC) machines.

Built-in safeguards to protect the IC, the application and the load include ground-disconnect and VCC-disconnect protection, thermal shutdown, under-voltage lock-out and short-circuit cut-off. This last feature provides non-dissipative protection that minimises overheating. It acts after a delay and is programmed with an external capacitor.

The IPS160HF and IPS161HF are in production now and available in the thermally enhanced PowerSSO12 package.