Toshiba Unveils eFuse ICs for 1.8V Power Line Protection

Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH has introduced the TCKE5 Series of electronic fuse ICs (eFuses), designed to protect low-voltage power lines in space-constrained electronic equipment. The four devices operate from 1.7V to 5.5V and support 1.8V, 3.3V, and 5V supply rails in applications such as SD memory cards, USB and HDMI devices, laptop PCs, and gaming consoles.

As electronic systems shrink and increasingly rely on low-voltage supplies, integrated protection is needed to limit damage from excessive current and short circuits. The TCKE5 Series combines overcurrent detection and short-circuit protection in a compact SOT-353F (UFV) package.

An external resistor sets the overcurrent detection threshold, letting designers tailor protection to the downstream circuit’s requirements. The devices feature a typical overcurrent mask time of 2.4ms, allowing brief current peaks to pass without triggering a shutdown. If the overcurrent condition persists beyond this interval, the IC turns off its output. A separate short-circuit protection function responds to higher fault currents.

The series includes four models: TCKE501UA, TCKE501UL, TCKE502UA and TCKE502UL. The UA variants automatically retry operation after a fault, while the UL variants latch off and require an external signal to restart. This gives designers a choice of recovery behavior based on system requirements.

Two slew-rate options provide different output-voltage rise times to accommodate power-sequencing requirements. Controlled voltage ramp-up also limits inrush current when charging the output capacitor at power-on. All four devices support a maximum DC output current of 1.0A.

Each IC measures just 2.0mm × 2.1mm × 0.7mm (typ.), helping conserve board space in compact electronic products.

For input voltages from 5V to 5.5V, Toshiba advises following the datasheet recommendations for output capacitance or using an external Schottky barrier diode to manage voltage transients during short-circuit protection. Designers should also verify operation under their intended system conditions. Shipments of the TCKE5 Series have started.

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