Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A

Overview

EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a 2-layer evaluation board for the MCS1806GS-3-20 Hall-effect current sensor, supporting ±20A primary current sensing at 3.3V supply, delivering 66 mV/A typical sensitivity and <2.5% total accuracy across 10–100% of range, with 3kVRMS galvanic isolation-designed for validating isolated current measurement in motor control inverters.

For engineers reviewing the EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A datasheet, EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A pinout, EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A application, or EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid functional validation of the MCS1806GS-3-20 sensor's linearity, bandwidth (set by C4), output offset (0.5×VCC), isolation integrity, and noise performance under real DC/AC load conditions.

Technical Context

The EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A implements a differential Hall array architecture to reject stray magnetic fields, paired with an SOIC-8 packaged MCS1806GS-3-20 sensor IC that integrates primary conductor traces and signal conditioning circuitry on a single die. It supports only 3.3V VCC operation and is configured for ±20A full-scale current sensing.

Board-level design includes dedicated screw terminals (IP+, IP−) for primary current injection, isolated VOUT test point, FILT and GND pins for external filtering, and jumpers JP1/JP2 for optional configuration-no microcontroller or firmware required; output is analog voltage proportional to sensed current.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor drive validation, industrial power supply monitoring, and battery management system prototyping requiring stable component supply and verified isolation performance.

Supply support for EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A 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

Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in high-performance power management ICs, including DC/DC converters, LED drivers, and precision analog sensors.

The MCS1806GS series was designed specifically for high-accuracy, isolated AC/DC current sensing in space-constrained industrial and automotive power systems-emphasizing low drift, magnetic immunity, and integrated primary conduction paths.

FAQ

What is the purpose of the FILT pin on the EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A board?

The FILT pin connects to an external capacitor (C4) to set the sensor's bandwidth. Adding capacitance here filters high-frequency noise on the VOUT signal but reduces transient response speed-default open-circuit configuration provides maximum bandwidth per the MCS1806GS-3-20 datasheet specifications.

Can the EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A operate with a 5V supply?

No. This specific board variant is configured exclusively for 3.3V operation, as indicated by the "-3-" in its part number and confirmed by its bill of materials and schematic. The -5-xx variants (e.g., EVCS1806-S-5-20-00A) are separate SKUs with different internal routing and component selection for 5V use.

How is primary current injected into the EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A?

Primary current flows through two 4-pin screw terminals labeled IP+ and IP−, which connect directly to the integrated primary conductor path inside the MCS1806GS-3-20 IC. No external shunt or transformer is needed-the current path is built into the SOIC-8 package and electrically isolated from the signal side.

What does the "±20A" rating mean for accuracy performance?

Total accuracy remains <2.5% over the linear operating range of ±2 A to ±20 A (10–100% of full scale), per MPS characterization at TA = 25°C. Accuracy degrades outside this range due to nonlinearity and offset drift-not rated for use below ±2 A or beyond ±20 A continuous current.

Is the EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A RoHS compliant and halogen-free?

Yes. As an MPS evaluation board released in December 2022, it conforms to RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and IEC 61249-2-21:2013 for halogen-free printed wiring boards, consistent with MPS corporate compliance policy and documented in their public environmental declarations.

Does the board include calibration data or factory-trimmed offsets?

No. The EVCS1806-S-3-20-00A is a bare evaluation platform without individual calibration certificates or trimmed trim resistors. Output offset and gain match the typical values specified for the MCS1806GS-3-20 IC (1.65 V and 66 mV/A), and system-level calibration must be performed by the user during integration.