Protection Systems
microFLUX includes a number of configurable and absolute hardware and software protection systems. Configurable software protections can be used to fine tune the desired behaviour of the unit, while absolute software and hardware protections ensure safe and reliable operation. The configurable warning system can identify issues before they result in shutdowns or failures.
TYPE | PROTECTION | RESPONSE | USE | HARDWARE (HW) FALLBACK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Per Channel | Undervoltage Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. If the voltage drops below the error limit the channel can be shut off (Optional). | Detects a decrease in the output voltage due to an excessive load current, insufficient input voltage or internal hardware failure. | No. |
Per Channel | Overvoltage Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. If the voltage rises above the error limit the channel can be shut off (Optional). | Detects an increase in the output voltage due to back-feeding, voltage spikes from switching inductive loads or internal hardware failure. | No. |
Per Channel | Overtemperature Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. If temperature exceeds the error limit the channel can be shut off (Optional). | Prevents the unit from reaching unsafe temperatures as defined by the application. | No. |
Per Channel | Undercurrent Response | Adjustable warning limit. Exceeding it sends a warning message. | Detects lower than expected load current draw, indicative of a downstream problem. | No. |
Per Channel | Overcurrent Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. If current exceeds the error limit the channel can be shut off (Optional). | Prevents downstream devices from drawing power exceeding their allocated power budget and flags downstream problems causing excessive current draw. | Yes, channel will enter a constant current mode at the maximum current limit, resulting in output voltage reducing. |
System | Bus Undervoltage Response | When the bus voltage falls below the error limit all channels can be turned off, or only non-priority channels are turned off (Configurable). | Provides an early-warning of low battery or supply sag and prevents over-discharge of batteries. | No. |
System | Bus Overvoltage Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. When the bus voltage rises above the error limit all channels can be turned off, or only non-priority channels are turned off (Configurable). | Detects voltage spikes at the bus and minimizes effect on downstream components or damage to the unit. | No. |
System | Bus Overcurrent Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. When the bus current exceeds the error limit all channels can be turned off, or only non-priority channels are turned off (Configurable). | Detects situations where the current limit of the unit input exceed their ratings and prevents damage to the device. | No. |
System | Bus Overtemperature Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. When the bus temperature exceeds the error limit all channels can be turned off, or only non-priority channels are turned off (Configurable). | Prevents the unit from reaching unsafe temperatures as defined by the application. | No. |
System | MCU Overtemperature Response | Adjustable warning & error limits. When the MCU temperature exceeds the error limit all channels can be turned off, or only non-priority channels are turned off (Configurable). | Prevents the unit from reaching unsafe temperatures as defined by the application. | No. |
Channel Undervoltage Protection
Software protection:
Each channel has a configurable under-voltage deviation threshold. Each channel can optionally turn off when this threshold is passed. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when 75% of the limit is reached. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 15% hysteresis.
Channel Overvoltage Protection
Software protection:
Each channel has a configurable overvoltage deviation threshold. Each channel can optionally turn off when this threshold is passed. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when 75% of the limit is reached. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 15% hysteresis.
Channel Overtemperature Protection
Software protection:
Each channel has an absolute temperature limit of 160 °C [320 °F]. When this limit is reached the channel will be turned off in software and must be turned on by user intervention. There is a 5 °C [9 °F] hysteresis.
Each channel has an optional configurable temperature limit. Each channel can be configured to turn off at the overtemperature limit. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when 80% of the limit is reached. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 5 °C [9 °F] hysteresis.
Channel Undercurrent Warning
Software Warning:
There is a configurable under-current limit, setting this limit to 0 will disable the warning. When enabled, this will set a warning flag in telemetry and send a debug message when the channel output current is below the threshold. This can indicate a fault downstream from the output.
Channel Overcurrent Protection
Hardware protection:
Each channel implements a cycle by cycle current limit that prevents excessive current being drawn through the channel by terminating the switching period early. This will result in the output voltage decreasing below the target voltage. If the output drops below half of the target voltage the channel will turn off then reinitialise itself.
Software protection:
Each channel has a configurable current limit and can be configured to turn off at the current limit or do nothing. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when 90% of the limit is reached. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 0.5 amp hysteresis.
Bus Undervoltage Protection
Software protection:
There is a configurable bus under-voltage threshold and response. When the limit is reached the device can be configured to turn off all non-priority channels, turn all channels off, or do nothing. There is a configurable timeout value, the bus voltage must be below the threshold for the configured timeout value before the under-voltage response will act. This timeout will prevent short transients causing the response to trigger, but the battery voltage dropping below a SoC threshold will still cause it. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when within 2V of the limit. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 1V hysteresis.
Bus Overvoltage Protection
Software protection:
There is a configurable bus overvoltage threshold and response. When the limit is reached the device can be configured to turn off all non-priority channels, turn all channels off, or do nothing. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when within 2V of the limit. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 1V hysteresis.
Bus Overcurrent Protection
Software protection:
There is a configurable bus overcurrent limit and response. When the limit is reached the device can be configured to turn off all non-priority channels, turn all channels off, or do nothing. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when within 3A of the limit. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 0.5A hysteresis.
Bus Overtemperature Protection
Software protection:
There is an absolute bus temperature limit of 160 °C [320 °F]. When this limit is reached all channels will be turned off. There is a 5 °C [9 °F] hysteresis.
There is a configurable bus overtemperature limit and response. The device can be configured to turn off all non-priority channels, all channels, or do nothing when this limit is reached. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when 80% of the limit is reached. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 5 °C [9 °F] hysteresis.
MCU Overtemperature Protection
Software protection:
There is an absolute MCU temperature limit of 120 °C [248 °F]. When this limit is reached all channels will be turned off. There is a 5 °C [9 °F] hysteresis.
There is a configurable MCU overtemperature limit and response. The device can be configured to turn off all non-priority channels, all channels, or do nothing when this limit is reached. There will be a warning flag set in telemetry when 80% of the limit is reached. The unit will also send a warning and an error debug message. There is a 5 °C [9 °F] hysteresis.