Protect Current-Sense Amplifiers from Negative Overvoltage

Abstract:Current-senseamplifiersnormallyoperatewellaboveground,butafaultconditioncandrivethesenseinputsbelowground,damagingthedevicebydrawingexcessivecurrentthroughtheESD-protectiondiodes.Thiscircuitprotectsaparticularhigh-sidecurrent-senseamplifier(MAX4080)byconnectingPMOSblockingtransistorsinserieswitheachinput.Maxim>Designsupport>Appnotes>AmplifierandComparatorCircuits>APP4837Maxim>Designsupport>Appnotes>CircuitProtection>APP4837Keywords:current-senseamplifiers,negativefaultvoltage,ESD-protectiondiodesFeb09,2011APPLICATIONNOTE4837ProtectCurrent-SenseAmplifiersfromNegativeOvervoltageBy:ArpitMehta,StrategicApplicationsEngineerPrashanthHolenarsipurAbstract:Current-senseamplifiersnormallyoperatewellaboveground,butafaultconditioncandrivethesenseinputsbelowground,damagingthedevicebydrawingexcessivecurrentthroughtheESD-protectiondiodes.Thiscircuitprotectsaparticularhigh-sidecurrent-sense