Murata's PRF thermistor series protects power FETs in multiple locations in POL converter applications

With the decreasing size of today's power supply assemblies, the resulting increase in thermal density means these systems have higher risk of overheating. Increasing use of the distributed power architecture means there are a greater number of points that are likely to overheat.

Murata’s PRF series of ceramic thermistors increase their resistance very sharply when exposed to temperatures over a certain level. This characteristic provides a simple and reliable overheat sensing circuit. A change in the conditions around the FET such that the device went from normal levels to overheating, would produce a more than one hundred-fold increase in the resistance of the part. Compared to IC solutions, Murata’s PRF series represents a smaller and simpler solution to overheat detection, and can be mounted anywhere that is required on the assembly, extremely close to a FET.

It is possible to sense multiple different temperatures in multiple different areas simply by connecting PRF thermistors in series. By applying an appropriate voltage dividing resistor, a circuit with multiple POSISTORs in series can easily be used to drive a transistor or FET to shut down the power supply. This eliminates the necessity for A-D converters and control software. Further, PRF thermistors can be added or removed from the circuit without affecting the outcome, so it is possible to monitor different parts of the circuit as the design develops with the same number of POSISTORs – any unused monitoring points can simply be short-circuited.

Parts are available that detect overheat temperatures between 65 and 145C. Maximum permitted operating voltage for the PRF series is 32VDC.