Texas Instruments BQ294506DRVT

Overview

BQ294506DRVT from Texas Instruments is a secondary overvoltage protection IC for 2- or 3-series Li-ion battery packs, featuring fixed 4.38 V OVP threshold, ±7 mV accuracy at 25°C, 4 s fault detection delay, and ultra-low 1 µA supply current in normal operation. It independently monitors each cell voltage and drives an external N-channel FET to trigger fuse blow during overvoltage events in portable power tools and notebook computers.

For engineers reviewing the BQ294506DRVT datasheet, BQ294506DRVT pinout, BQ294506DRVT application, or BQ294506DRVT equivalent, key selection criteria include its factory-programmed 4.38 V OVP threshold, 4 s fixed delay, ±7 mV accuracy over 10°C–45°C, 6-pin SON package with thermal pad, and independent per-cell sensing architecture for secondary battery pack protection.

Technical Context

The BQ294506DRVT implements independent analog voltage monitoring across three differential inputs (V1–VSS, V2–V1, V3–V2) using internal precision comparators referenced to a factory-trimmed 4.38 V threshold. Its fixed 4 s delay timer activates only upon sustained overvoltage exceeding VOV minus 300 mV hysteresis.

Operation relies on unregulated VDD supply (3–25 V), with OUT pin delivering high-side drive capability up to 6 V at 100 µA while maintaining <400 mV low-state voltage. The PWRPAD thermal pad must be connected to VSS on PCB for functional integrity and thermal performance.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: 6-pin WSON (DRV), 2.00 mm × 2.00 mm body size with exposed thermal pad (PWRPAD) requiring connection to VSS on PCB.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar overvoltage protection applications.

Compared with BQ294506DRVT, BQ294502DRVT offers a 30 mV lower OVP threshold for enhanced safety margin on sensitive chemistries, while BQ294504DRVT trades threshold for extended 6.5 s delay-enabling robustness against brief voltage excursions without sacrificing secondary protection integrity.

Availability

BQ294506DRVT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery pack designs in power tools, notebook computers, and portable medical devices requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing for safety-critical applications.

Supply support for BQ294506DRVT includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with leadership in battery management, power conversion, and signal chain solutions.

The BQ2945xx family was designed specifically for secondary overvoltage protection in multi-cell Li-ion battery packs, targeting high-accuracy, low-power, and small-footprint requirements in consumer and industrial portable equipment.

FAQ

What is the exact overvoltage protection threshold for BQ294506DRVT?

The BQ294506DRVT has a factory-programmed overvoltage protection threshold of 4.38 V, with ±7 mV accuracy at 25°C and ±10 mV over the full –40°C to +110°C operating range. This value is laser-trimmed during manufacturing and cannot be adjusted externally-ensuring consistent secondary protection behavior across all units of BQ294506DRVT.

Does BQ294506DRVT support both 2-cell and 3-cell Li-ion battery configurations?

Yes, BQ294506DRVT supports both 2-series and 3-series Li-ion battery configurations. In 2-cell setups, the V3 pin is shorted to V2; in 3-cell stacks, V1, V2, and V3 independently monitor Cell 1, Cell 2, and Cell 3 voltages. The device detects overvoltage on any monitored cell and asserts the OUT pin after the fixed 4 s delay-making BQ294506DRVT adaptable to varying pack architectures without redesign.

How does the thermal pad (PWRPAD) function in BQ294506DRVT?

The PWRPAD on BQ294506DRVT is not optional-it must be electrically connected to the VSS net on the PCB to ensure proper device operation and thermal performance. This connection provides both low-impedance grounding for internal circuitry and heat dissipation path. Failure to bond PWRPAD to VSS may result in functional failure or degraded accuracy, as confirmed in TI's official layout guidelines for BQ294506DRVT.

What is the purpose of Customer Test Mode (CTM) in BQ294506DRVT?

Customer Test Mode (CTM) in BQ294506DRVT reduces production test time by shortening the overvoltage delay from 4 s to approximately 15 ms. Activation requires applying VDD at least 10 V higher than V3; the mode exits automatically when this differential drops. CTM allows rapid validation of the delay timer function during battery pack manufacturing without modifying hardware-specifically engineered into BQ294506DRVT for high-volume quality assurance.

Can BQ294506DRVT operate with supply voltages above the battery stack voltage?

Yes, BQ294506DRVT supports VDD supply voltages from 3 V to 25 V-enabling direct connection to auxiliary power rails or charger outputs independent of the monitored battery stack. This allows the IC to remain active during charging even if the pack voltage drops below operational minimums. The 25 V absolute maximum rating on VDD (per datasheet Section 7.1) ensures robustness when interfacing with common 12 V or 19 V adapter supplies in BQ294506DRVT-based systems.