Regulator IC forms convenient overvoltage detector

Robert Bell

EDN

Figure 1 shows a simple, stand-alone overvoltage detector. The intent of the circuit is to monitor a voltage, V_MON, and set the output, V_OUT, high when the monitored voltage exceeds a preset threshold. The minimum allowable threshold for this circuit is 1.25 V. The operation of the circuit revolves around the TLV431 shunt regulator. This IC is based on the popular TL431 shunt regulator. The difference is that the TLV431's internal reference is 1.25 V, as opposed to 2.5 V for the TL431.

Figure 1.	A shunt regulator makes an inexpensive overvoltage detector.

When the voltage at the control input is less than 1.25 V, the regulator's cathode current is essentially zero. If the control input exceeds 1.25 V, the cathode conducts and turns Q₁ on to produce a high output at V_OUT. The trip threshold, determined by resistors R₁ and R₂, is

D₁, the diode between V_OUT and the control input, provides hysteresis and latches the overvoltage fault condition. If you don't need latching operation, you can add a resistor in series with the diode to lower the hysteresis value and prevent the circuit from latching.

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