KAWASAKI, Japan — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 13, 2023 — Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has expanded its line-up of “TCTH0xxxE series” Thermoflagger™ over-temperature detection ICs that can be used in a simple circuit with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors to detect temperature rises in electronic equipment. Shipments of the six new products start today.

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Toshiba: Thermoflagger(TM), a simple solution that detects temperature rises in electronic equipment (Graphic: Business Wire)

For electronic equipment to perform as specified, semiconductors and other electronic components must operate within design parameters. Internal temperature is a crucial parameter, especially if it becomes higher than that assumed during the design process; it can be a major safety and reliability problem, and an overheating monitoring solution is needed to detect any rise in temperature.

Thermoflagger™ over-temperature detection ICs detect temperature rises when configured in a simple circuit with PTC thermistors, whose resistance value changes with the temperature. The ICs also detect changes in the resistance of PTC thermistors placed near heat sources, and output a FLAG signal in case of over-temperature. When a Thermoflagger™ detects abnormal heat generation and sends a FLAG to an MCU, for example, the MCU will shut down the equipment or change the operation of the equipment or semiconductor that is generating heat. Connecting PTC thermistors in series realizes over-temperature detection for multiple locations.

The six new products are TCTH011AE, TCTH012AE, TCTH021AE, TCTH022AE, TCTH011BE and TCTH012BE. These join the already released TCTH021BE and TCTH022BE and bring the TCTH0xxxE series line-up to eight products. The new products expand the range of PTC thermistors that can be selected by supporting two types of PTCO output current^[1]. Push-pull or open-drain FLAG signal output types^[2] can be selected, as can the use or non-use of a FLAG signal latch function^[3]. Extending the range of product selections enables flexible circuit designs with low current consumption.

The new products are packaged in a small, industry-standard SOT-553 (Toshiba’s package name: ESV), ensuring that the TCTH0xxxE series supports easy configuration of over-temperature detection for complete sets of electronic equipment, and helps to reduce size and power consumption.

Alongside an already published reference design, the Thermoflagger™ Over-temperature Detection IC Application Circuit (TCTH021BE/Open Drain version), Toshiba has made a new reference design available on its website today: the Thermoflagger™ Over-temperature Detection IC Application Circuit (TCTH021AE​/Push-Pull​ version).

Toshiba uses technical information from Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. regarding PTC thermistors for the over-temperature detect solution. Murata recommends Thermoflagger™ for use with PTC thermistors.
Murata's List of Recommended ICs
Murata's PTC thermistors

Toshiba will continue to expand its product line-up with various packages and improved device characteristics that contribute to design flexibility and carbon neutrality.

Notes:
[1] PTCO output current: the constant current supplied from the over-temperature detection IC to a PTC thermistor.
[2] When the over-temperature detection IC detects an error, it outputs a FLAG signal. The push-pull type consists of two MOSFETs stacked vertically. Output current flows in and out in either direction. The open-drain type consists of one MOSFET. The output current flows in only one direction.
[3] FLAG signal latch function holds a FLAG signal after the over-temperature detection IC detects an error, even once. The over-temperature detection IC does not recover itself; it is recovered by inputting a signal from an MCU, etc., to a RESET pin.

Applications

• Mobile devices (laptop PC, etc.)
• Home appliances
• Industrial equipment, etc.

Features

• Simple configuration in combination with PTC^[1] thermistors
• Over-temperature monitoring is possible at several points by connecting PTC^[1] thermistors in series.
• Low current consumption:
  I_DD=1.8μA (typ.) (TCTH011AE, TCTH012AE, TCTH011BE, TCTH012BE)
  I_DD=11.3μA (typ.) (TCTH021AE, TCTH022AE)
• Small standard package: SOT-553 (ESV)
• Expanded PTC^[1] thermistors selection range with two types of PTCO output current:
  I_PTCO=1.00μA (typ.) (TCTH011AE, TCTH012AE, TCTH011BE, TCTH012BE)
  I_PTCO=10.0μA (typ.) (TCTH021AE, TCTH022AE)
• High PTCO output current accuracy: ±8%
• Push-pull and open-drain selectable for FLAG signal output (PTCGOOD)
• FLAG signal latch function can be selected