Monolithic Power Systems Inc. EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A

Overview

EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A from Monolithic Power Systems is a 2-layer evaluation board for the MCS1806GS-3-50 Hall-effect current sensor, supporting ±50 A DC/AC primary current sensing at 3.3 V supply, with 26.4 mV/A typical sensitivity and <2.5% total accuracy over 10–100% of full scale. It demonstrates galvanic isolation up to 3 kVRMS for industrial motor drives and power supply monitoring.

For engineers reviewing the EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A datasheet, EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A pinout, EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A application, or EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A equivalent, this board enables rapid validation of isolated current measurement performance, bandwidth tuning via C4, and primary conductor interface using screw terminals IP+ and IP− under 3.3 V operation.

Technical Context

The EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A implements a differential Hall array architecture that rejects stray magnetic fields, paired with an SOIC-8 packaged MCS1806GS-3-50 sensor IC. It operates with a fixed 3.3 V supply and delivers a ratiometric analog output (VOUT = 0.5 × VCC + Sens × IP) referenced to GND.

Primary current flows through a low-resistance internal conductor path (IP+/IP−), electrically isolated from the signal side by reinforced insulation. Output bandwidth is adjustable via external capacitor C4; default open-circuit configuration supports full sensor bandwidth with measured step response per test report.

Key Specifications

Availability

EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, server PSU monitoring, and battery management system (BMS) current sensing requiring stable component supply, quick-turn evaluation, and validated isolation performance.

Supply support for EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A 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 for high-accuracy, isolated current sensing in space-constrained industrial and computing power systems where optocoupler replacement and magnetic immunity are critical.

FAQ

What power supply is required for the EVCS1806-S-3-50-00A?

The board requires a regulated 3.3 V DC supply connected to VCC and GND terminals. It is not compatible with 5 V operation - this variant is specifically configured for the MCS1806GS-3-50 sensor, which has a fixed 3.3 V supply requirement and 26.4 mV/A sensitivity.

How is primary current connected to the evaluation board?

Primary current is applied via two 4-pin screw terminals labeled IP+ and IP−, which connect directly to the internal current conductor of the MCS1806GS-3-50 IC. These terminals support up to ±50 A continuous current and maintain 3 kVRMS isolation from the signal-side circuitry.

What does the VOUT pin output represent?

VOUT provides an analog voltage proportional to primary current: VOUT = 1.65 V + (26.4 mV/A × IP). At zero current, output is 1.65 V; at +50 A, it reaches ~3.0 V; at –50 A, it drops to ~0.3 V - all referenced to GND and ratiometric to the 3.3 V supply.

Can the bandwidth be adjusted on this board?

Yes. Bandwidth is set by capacitor C4 (unpopulated by default). Installing a ceramic capacitor across C4 reduces high-frequency noise and limits bandwidth - lower values increase bandwidth but raise output ripple; higher values suppress noise at the cost of slower transient response.

Does this board include the current sensor IC?

Yes. The board integrates one MPS MCS1806GS-3-50 IC in SOIC-8 package (U1), along with decoupling capacitors (C1, C2), unpopulated filter positions (C3, C4), and IP+/IP− screw terminals - all necessary for immediate functional evaluation without additional components.

Is galvanic isolation verified on this evaluation board?

Yes. The board implements the reinforced insulation structure of the MCS1806GS-3-50, achieving 3 kVRMS isolation between the primary conductor (IP+/IP−) and secondary signal side (VCC, GND, VOUT, FILT). This is confirmed in the MPS datasheet and validated per IEC 60747-17.