Texas Instruments INA250A1PWR

Overview

INA250A1PWR from Texas Instruments is a bidirectional, precision current-sense amplifier with an integrated 2 mΩ shunt resistor, 200 mV/A gain, ±15 A continuous current capability at –40°C to 85°C, and 0.3% max system gain error - used in high-accuracy power rail monitoring for telecom rectifiers and server VRMs.

For engineers reviewing the INA250A1PWR datasheet, INA250A1PWR pinout, INA250A1PWR application, or INA250A1PWR equivalent, this page delivers verified specifications, TSSOP-16 pin functions, real-world use cases in power management systems, and two validated alternative parts with documented technical and application differences.

Technical Context

The INA250A1PWR implements a zero-drift, 36-V common-mode input amplifier paired with a Kelvin-connected 2 mΩ internal shunt resistor, enabling bidirectional current sensing without external calibration. Its RTI offset current is ±100 mA max (–40°C to 125°C), and CMRR reaches 102 dB across the full temperature range.

It operates from 2.7 V to 36 V supply, draws ≤300 µA quiescent current, and delivers 50 kHz bandwidth with 0.2 V/µs slew rate. The device supports external reference biasing (0 V to 18 V) for flexible unidirectional or bidirectional measurement modes.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

TSSOP-16 package (5.00 mm × 6.40 mm), thermally enhanced with exposed pad; optimized for Kelvin layout and low thermal resistance (R_θJA = 104.4°C/W).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar current-sense amplifier applications.

Compared with INA250A1PWR, INA240A1PW demands external shunt layout and system calibration to achieve comparable accuracy, while MAX40056AUB+ replaces analog output with digital reporting - making INA250A1PWR optimal for analog-domain designs needing plug-and-play precision at 36 V and below.

Availability

INA250A1PWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for telecom rectifiers, server VRMs, and solar inverter DC-link monitoring requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for INA250A1PWR 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 leader specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with decades of expertise in precision signal conditioning and power management ICs.

The INA250 family was designed specifically for high-accuracy, integrated current sensing in power-conversion systems - eliminating calibration complexity while maintaining performance across wide temperature and voltage ranges.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current rating for INA250A1PWR at 125°C ambient?

The INA250A1PWR supports ±10 A continuous current at 125°C ambient temperature, as defined in Figure 7-1 of the datasheet. At lower temperatures (e.g., 85°C), it handles ±15 A continuously. This derating accounts for package thermal resistance (R_θJA = 104.4°C/W) and internal power dissipation across the 4.5 mΩ total package resistance.

Can INA250A1PWR measure bidirectional current without a dual supply?

Yes. The INA250A1PWR measures bidirectional current using a single 2.7 V to 36 V supply by applying an external reference voltage (e.g., 2.5 V) to the REF pin. With 200 mV/A gain, ±10 A produces an output swing from 0.5 V to 4.5 V - fully compatible with standard 5 V or 3.3 V ADCs without level shifting.

Is the internal shunt resistor in INA250A1PWR usable as a standalone component?

No. The internal shunt resistor in INA250A1PWR is not intended for standalone use. When used without the integrated amplifier, its tolerance degrades to ~5%. The device is system-calibrated with the amplifier; using the shunt alone voids the 0.1% tolerance and 10 ppm/°C drift specifications claimed for the complete INA250A1PWR solution.

What is the common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of INA250A1PWR over temperature?

The INA250A1PWR maintains a minimum CMRR of 94 dB from –40°C to 125°C, with typical performance reaching 102 dB at 25°C. This is confirmed in Section 6.5 Electrical Characteristics and Figure 6-10, ensuring stable accuracy even with large common-mode transients on 48 V telecom rails or noisy motor drive buses.

Does INA250A1PWR require external filtering on the SH+ and SH– pins?

Filtering on SH+ and SH– is optional but recommended for high-noise environments. Figure 7-4 in the datasheet shows RC low-pass filter configurations (e.g., 10 Ω + 100 pF) to suppress RF interference without degrading 50 kHz bandwidth. No filtering is needed for clean lab or well-laid-out PCBs - direct connection to VIN+ and VIN– is valid per Table 5-1.