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Overview
Features and Benefits
- Allows Safe Board Insertion into Live Backplane
- Wide Operating Voltage Range: 6.5V to 80V
- Drives Two Gates for High Power Applications
- Configurable Parallel, Staged Start or Single MOSFET Modes
- Adjustable Precision Current Limit: 6mV to 20mV
- Current Foldback Limits MOSFET Power
- SOA Timer Optimizes MOSFET Capability
- Monitors VGS and VDS for MOSFET Health
- 12V Gate Drive for Lower MOSFET RDS(ON)
- Parallelable Controllers for Very High Current Levels
- Available in 24-Lead Narrow SSOP and 24-Pin 4mm × 5mm QFN Packages
Product Details
The LTC4238 is a high voltage high current Hot Swap controller that allows a board to be safely inserted and removed from a live backplane. Dual 12V gate drive is well suited for high power applications to either share safe operating area across parallel MOSFETs or support a 2-stage start-up that first charges the load capacitance followed by enabling a low on-resistance path to the load.
The device features active current limiting (ACL) with two foldback options as VDS increases. The constant power profile limits the power dissipation to be no higher than a fixed value, while the high power profile allows the part to ride through large input steps during operation.
The LTC4238 notifies when output power is good. In addition, it has protection features that respond to input undervoltage, overvoltage; and generate a fault when there is an overcurrent or FET bad condition.
Applications
- Live Board Insertion in 12V, 24V and 48V Systems
- Industrial High Side Switch/Circuit Breaker
- Computers, Servers
- Vehicle Electrical Systems
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Product Lifecycle
Recommended for New Designs
This product has been released to the market. The data sheet contains all final specifications and operating conditions. For new designs, ADI recommends utilization of these products.
Evaluation Kits (1)
Documentation
Evaluation Kit Manuals (1)
Tools & Simulations
LTspice
LTspice® is a powerful, fast and free simulation software, schematic capture and waveform viewer with enhancements and models for improving the simulation of analog circuits.

Models for the following parts are available in LTspice:
LTpowerCAD
LTpowerCAD® is a power supply design program which selects power stage components, provides detailed power efficiency, shows quick loop Bode plot stability and load transient analysis, and can export to LTspice for simulation.

Design tools for the following parts are available in LTpowerCAD:
Reference Materials
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Design Resources
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The USA list pricing shown is for BUDGETARY USE ONLY, shown in United States dollars (FOB USA per unit for the stated volume), and is subject to change. International prices may differ due to local duties, taxes, fees and exchange rates. For volume-specific price or delivery quotes, please contact your local Analog Devices, Inc. sales office or authorized distributor. Pricing displayed for Evaluation Boards and Kits is based on 1-piece pricing.