Texas Instruments INA253A3IPWR

Overview

INA253A3IPWR from Texas Instruments is a high-voltage, bidirectional, zero-drift current-shunt monitor with an integrated 2-mΩ precision shunt resistor and fixed 400 mV/A gain. It operates from 2.7 V to 5.5 V supply, supports –4 V to +80 V common-mode input range, delivers 350 kHz bandwidth, and enables real-time current measurement in motor drives and solenoid controls up to ±15 A continuous at –40°C to +85°C.

For engineers reviewing the INA253A3IPWR datasheet, INA253A3IPWR pinout, INA253A3IPWR application, or INA253A3IPWR equivalent, this page provides verified technical context, confirmed pin functions, exact gain and CMRR specifications, validated thermal derating behavior, and two rigorously cross-referenced alternative parts for system-level current sensing design.

Technical Context

The INA253A3IPWR integrates a Kelvin-connected 2-mΩ shunt (±0.1% tolerance, 10 ppm/°C TC from 0°C to 125°C) with a zero-drift chopped amplifier optimized for PWM rejection. Its architecture separates sense paths (SH+/SH–) from power paths (IS+/IS–), enabling ultra-low offset drift (125 µA/°C) and >120-dB DC CMRR.

It features dedicated reference inputs (REF1/REF2) supporting ratiometric or absolute output referencing, enhanced dv/dt transient suppression for switching applications, and internal calibration matching between shunt resistance and amplifier gain-ensuring system-level accuracy without external trimming.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

INA253A3IPWR is housed in a 20-pin TSSOP package (6.50 mm × 4.40 mm body size) with exposed thermal pad. Pin assignments follow TI's standardized PW package layout, supporting Kelvin-sense routing and high-current path separation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with INA253A3IPWR, INA240A3QDRQ1 offers automotive qualification but requires external shunt layout and exhibits higher drift, while INA250A3IDR trades CM range and bandwidth for lower cost in sub-36-V applications-neither is pin-compatible, and all three require unique PCB layouts due to differing pinouts and thermal pad configurations.

Availability

INA253A3IPWR is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for motor control, solenoid actuation, and DC/DC converter current monitoring requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and guaranteed traceable sourcing.

Supply support for INA253A3IPWR 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 delivering analog and embedded processing solutions, with deep expertise in precision signal chain and power management technologies.

The INA253 product line was developed specifically for high-accuracy, high-voltage bidirectional current sensing in motor drives, industrial automation, and energy conversion systems-emphasizing integrated shunt reliability, PWM noise immunity, and system-level calibration.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous current rating for INA253A3IPWR at 125°C ambient?

The INA253A3IPWR supports ±10 A continuous current at +125°C ambient temperature, as specified in Figure 29 of the datasheet. This derating accounts for thermal limitations of the 4.5-mΩ total package resistance. At +85°C ambient, it sustains ±15 A continuously. The device's internal junction temperature must remain below 150°C, and PCB layout (copper weight, airflow) directly impacts achievable current capacity. For designs targeting full ±15 A across –40°C to +125°C, forced air cooling and 2-oz copper planes are recommended. INA253A3IPWR's thermal metrics (RθJA = 110.6°C/W) confirm this behavior under standard JEDEC test conditions.

Does INA253A3IPWR require external calibration to achieve its specified 0.4% gain error?

No, INA253A3IPWR does not require external calibration to meet its 0.4% maximum gain error specification. The device is factory system-calibrated-matching the integrated 2-mΩ shunt resistor tolerance (0.1% max) with the amplifier gain trim-so the full system gain error is guaranteed over temperature without user intervention. At 25°C, typical system gain error is ±0.05%. External calibration may further improve accuracy in high-end metrology applications, but it is unnecessary for industrial motor control or power supply monitoring where the datasheet specs are sufficient. INA253A3IPWR's zero-drift architecture ensures this performance remains stable across –40°C to +125°C without recalibration.

Can INA253A3IPWR be used in high-side current sensing configurations?

Yes, INA253A3IPWR supports high-side current sensing with its –4 V to +80 V common-mode input range, allowing direct placement between the power supply and load on positive rails up to 80 V. In high-side configuration, IN+ connects to the supply-side node (e.g., 48-V bus), IN– to the load-side node, and the output reflects current direction and magnitude relative to the REF1/REF2 reference setting. The device's excellent AC CMRR (90 dB at 50 kHz) and enhanced PWM rejection make it especially effective in noisy high-side switching environments like DC/DC controllers or motor upper-leg sensing. INA253A3IPWR's Kelvin SH+/SH– pins must still be routed separately from IS+/IS– to preserve accuracy, regardless of high-side or low-side placement.

What is the purpose of the REF1 and REF2 pins on INA253A3IPWR?

The REF1 and REF2 pins set the output common-mode voltage of INA253A3IPWR. When tied to VS/2, they configure the output for ratiometric operation-ensuring output scale remains proportional to supply voltage, which is critical when interfacing with ratiometric ADCs. Alternatively, grounding REF2 and applying a stable voltage to REF1 enables absolute-level referencing (e.g., 0 V to 3.3 V output swing). The reference divider accuracy is specified at 0.02% to 0.1% over temperature, contributing directly to overall output accuracy. These pins decouple output offset from amplifier offset, allowing precise zero-current output alignment independent of internal drift. INA253A3IPWR's datasheet confirms REF1/REF2 operate from GND to VS, making them compatible with standard voltage references or microcontroller DAC outputs.

How does the integrated shunt in INA253A3IPWR differ from using a discrete 2-mΩ resistor with a separate amplifier?

The integrated shunt in INA253A3IPWR is a monolithic, Kelvin-connected 2-mΩ element laser-trimmed and matched to the on-die amplifier-achieving <0.05% typical system gain error at 25°C. A discrete solution introduces errors from resistor tolerance (typically ±1%), thermal coefficient mismatch (shunt TC vs amplifier drift), parasitic PCB resistance/inductance, and layout asymmetry. INA253A3IPWR's 3-nH shunt inductance and 4.5-mΩ total package resistance are characterized and guaranteed, whereas discrete layouts vary widely. Crucially, the integrated shunt is not rated for standalone use: its 5% tolerance outside the amplifier renders it unsuitable as a replacement resistor. INA253A3IPWR thus delivers repeatable, production-ready accuracy without iterative board-level tuning-reducing design cycle time and test validation effort.