GLOSSARY AND DEVELEOPMENT TOOLS

Accuracy – the maximum deviation from the specified over voltage, and over current protection levels.
Auto-retry – an auto-retrying device will turn itself back on after a thermal shutdown once the die temperature is below the
hysteresis value.
Bias current – the current needed by the eFuse itself to maintain operation.
Overload current limit, or current limit trip-point – the eFuse reacts to overcurrent events by reducing the conductivity of the
pass element once the current exceeds this limit.
Short circuit current – when a strong overload occurs and the output voltage drops as a consequence, the device limits the
current to a level below the regular current limit. eFuse (electronic fuse)
Quick reference guide
dV/dT – this refers to the internal circuitry that controls the output voltage rise at turn-on. The external dV/dT pin allows the
user to adjust the soft-start time.
Enable-fault – the enable-fault pin is a dual-function pin: it lets the user enable and disable the device, and at the same time
provides the device status through a three-state logic.
Gate driver – to protect the supply and pass element, STEF01 and STEF12S include an internal charge pump to drive an
external MOSFET that prevents reverse currents and large transient voltages which may occur during high-current limiting.
Hysteresis – to prevent an auto-retrying device from repeatedly turning ON and OFF after a thermal shutdown, the device only
turns back on once the temperature has dropped by the hysteretic value.
Latch – when a thermal fault occurs, the device will remain OFF until the power or enable-signal is cycled by the user.
Output Voltage Clamp – if the input voltage exceeds the pre-defined voltage clamp value, the internal protection circuit
ensures the output voltage does not rise above this preset value.
Pass element – the voltage and current pass through a low-resistive power MOSFET which can be controlled to limit the
output current and voltage in reaction to fault conditions.
Power dissipation – during normal operation, the power dissipated by the device depends on the pass element’s RDS(on) and
the load current. When voltage/current is regulated, which happens during start-up and in case of faults, the excess power is
dissipated in the form of heat. In persistent faulty conditions, this heat shuts the device down as a consequence of thermal
protection.Thermal design and correct soft-start configurations are important to prevent unwanted shutdowns, which are most
likely to occur during start-up phases or in high and continuous current conditions.
Power Good (PG) – a signal to indicate that the output voltage is very close to the input and that no current/voltage limitation
is in place. It can be used for power-sequencing, reset-triggering, and more.
Soft Start (SS) – a Soft Start is a controlled delivery of the output power , which minimizes inrush currents, thus protecting the
power supply from overloading. The Soft Start time can be extended by adding a capacitor to the dV/dT pin.
Thermal shutdown – during a persistent fault, the eFuse die will heat up. Once the shutdown temperature (typically 175°C) is
reached, the device will turn off the internal pass element and go in latch or auto-retry state.
UVLO (Undervoltage lockout) – the UVLO makes sure the device does not turn on until the supply voltage is high enough, thus
contributing to the eFuse’s predictable and reliable performance.

DEMOBOARDS
Part number Product Description
STEVAL-EFUSE01 STEF01 Evaluation board based on the STEF01 fully programmable universal electronic fuse
STEVAL-IFP021V1 STEF12/STEF05 5 V and 12 V power line protection based on STEF05 and STEF12 electronic fuses

For more information, visit us on www.st.com/efuse

For more information on ST products and solutions, visit www.st.com

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Order code: BR2205EFUSEQR All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.
 KEY FEATURES eFuses APPLICATIONS
Ensuring safer designs and more efficient applications
Output voltage clamping • Hot-swap and hot-plug control
Each eFuse has a predefined maximum output voltage safe value. • Power rail and load protection
If the input voltage exceeds this value, the eFuse clamps the output Transient voltage • Smart current limiter and circuit breaker
voltage to the preset value and allows the device to operate without Output voltage
HOW DOES AN eFuse WORK ? damaging the load or system. If the overvoltage is persistent, the Voltage clamp level

eFuse disconnects the load. Most eFuses have a pre-set voltage eFuses PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
An eFuse is a low-resistance switch connected in series to the main clamp value. The STEF01 allows users to configure it.
power rail and controlled by logic circuitry to protect loads and power 12 V, 60 A High precision eFuse with 0.85 mW RDSON current and
supplies. Smaller, faster and more efficient than conventional fuses High Power
12 V STEF12H60M temperature monitor pins. Parallel configuration.
or polymeric PTCs, eFuses detect and react to overcurrent and Current limiting
• Server QFN 32 5x5 package
overvoltage conditions, and do not require replacement after a fault When an overload condition occurs, the eFuse reduces the
event. • TLC infrastructures
conductivity of the internal pass element to effectively limit the • Industrial controls
Short limit 8 – 48 V, 4 – 5 A Fully programmable eFuse with 30 mW RDSON
current to a preconfigured value. If a strong overload or short circuit Load current • NAS/SAN 48 V STEF01
occurs, the device enters the foldback current limit, and eventually Trip point HTSSOP14 package
VCC VOUT / Source disconnects the load, thus protecting the power supply. This value is
usually configured using an external resistor.
R-lim
CIN COUT Low Power 12 V, 4 A high-precision simple eFuse
OUT 12 V STEF12S
IN EN / Fault Undervoltage lockout TSOT23-8L and DFN 3x3 packages
• Data-storage
Controller LOAD • Industrial
Control & The undervoltage lockout feature disconnects the load from the
Protections I-limit • Consumer 5 V, 4 A high-precision simple eFuse
supply if the input voltage is lower than a preset minimum. By avoiding
5V STEF05S
dV / dT
STEF12 issues caused by too low supply voltage such as wrong voltages from Input voltage
TSOT23-8L package
Lockout threshold
bandgap references, incorrect control signals in logical circuitry, and
transistors being only partially ON or OFF, the undervoltage lockout
increases system predictability.The STEF01 allows users to set the 5 V + 12V in one 3 A eFuse
undervoltage lockout threshold between 8 V and 45 V. STEF512GR
TSOT23-8L package
When an overload or short-circuit condition occurs, the eFuse limits the current to a pre-defined safe value. When an
overvoltage condition occurs, the eFuse clamps the output voltage to a safe level,thus protecting the load from abnormalities
caused by malfunctioning power supplies.
Turn-on delay/Soft start 5 V + 12 V in one 3 A eFuse with current monitor
Dual STEF512PUR
The eFuse disconnects the load from the power supply if fault conditions are persistent. Depending on the version, the device The eFuse provides a defined and predictable ramp-up of the output QFN 2x3 package
operates either in latch-off mode, which means it is switched-off and must be re-armed manually, or in auto-retry mode voltage during start-up, to ensure the inrush current is maintained Enable signal
Output voltage
where the device will automatically re-start. within safe confines and protects both the load and the power 5 V + 12 V in one 3 A eFuse with reverse current protection
Input voltage
supply.The soft start duration can be easily configured by an external STEF512SR on 5 V channel
capacitor.
DFN 2x3 package
KEY BENEFITS OF ELECTRONIC FUSES
Typical voltage rail (V)
Quick and intelligent response to faults Enable/Fault pin (Not to scale)

Unlike conventional fuses, which are based on the principle that a conductor will overheat and melt during an overload All eFuses feature an enable/disable pin, to turn-on/off the device. In addition, some products offer the 80
condition, the eFuse only clamps the output voltage and/or limits the throughput current, thus allowing the device to be enable/fault pin, which is a dual-function pin that allows users to manually turn the output off and to read
supplied correctly, before eventually disconnecting the load in case of persistent failure. This prevents load and supply the current state of the device. The eFuse can be reset by toggling this pin after a thermal shutdown. 48
damage from occurring and avoids false triggering caused by transient conditions. Moreover, in applications powered by DC The pin can be used as a regular enabling pin and can be connected to a monitoring circuit to notify
buses, eFuses reduce the bus droop due to faulty loads, avoiding the propagation of nuisance or undervoltage to other loads thermal shutdown events. It can also be connected to the Enable/Fault pins of other eFuses, to achieve a 16 STEF01
connected to the same bus. simultaneous Enable/Disable operation for all devices.
STEF12
12 STPW12 STEF12S STEF12H60M
STEF12E
Reduced maintenance STEF512GR
PACKAGE RANGE STEF512PUR STELPD01
Since eFuses do not sacrifice their pass element, they can immediately be reset with a signal from the system by either cycling STEF05 STEF512SR
the supply power or by simply waiting, if auto-retry is used. The equipment’s uptime is maximized and the cost and complexity DFN 2x3 10L QFN 2x3 10L DFN10 3x3 STEF05D
5 STEF05S STEC01 STEL12H24
of maintenance are reduced. (Safety IC)
STEF05L
STEF4S
Inrush current control
3.3 STEF033
Inrush current conditions can occur during start-up or hot-plugging. eFuses ramp the output voltage up in a controlled manner
to prevent large inrush currents from overloading the power supply. This feature is crucial when multiple loads are supplied by
a single power supply. HTSSOP14 QFN 32 TSOT23-8L
1.5 3 4 5 7 24 60
Flexible application design Continuous current (A)
(Not to scale)
Every eFuse can be programmed and tailored to your specific needs. Most eFuses allow users to set the current limit and
start-up time. The undervoltage lockout and output clamp levels as well as the device’s operating mode (latch-off or auto-retry Legend: Power Breaker Standard eFuses Dual rail 5 V + 12 V Fully programmable 3.3 V or 5 V rail
mode) can also be configured on certain part numbers.
Low side timed switch High power eFuse High power load switch Load/power switch
2