Analog Devices Inc./Maxim Integrated MAX4374FESD

Overview

MAX4374FESD from Maxim Integrated is a micropower, high-side current-sense amplifier with integrated comparator and 600mV bandgap reference, designed for overcurrent supervision in battery-powered systems. It features +50V/V gain, 0V to +28V input common-mode range independent of supply voltage, ±2% full-scale accuracy, and latching comparator output - enabling reliable shutdown in notebook computers, smart battery chargers, and portable power-management systems.

For engineers reviewing the MAX4374FESD datasheet, MAX4374FESD pinout, MAX4374FESD application, or MAX4374FESD equivalent, key selection criteria include its 50µA supply current, 1mV max input offset voltage, 200kHz bandwidth, latch-controlled COUT1 output, and compatibility with external sense resistors for scalable current threshold setting.

Technical Context

The MAX4374FESD implements a precision current-sense amplifier with rail-to-rail common-mode operation down to 0V, ensuring viability during deep battery discharge. Its internal 600mV reference feeds two comparators: CIN1 controls the latched COUT1 output for overcurrent flagging, while CIN2 interfaces with the second open-drain comparator (COUT2) for window-detection configurations.

It operates from a single +2.7V to +28V supply, consumes only 50µA, and delivers voltage output proportional to sensed differential voltage (V_SENSE = V_RS+ − V_RS−) without external gain-setting resistors - simplifying layout and improving accuracy versus discrete solutions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

MAX4374FESD is housed in a 14-pin SOIC package (RoHS-compliant, lead-free). Pin functions are validated per Maxim's official datasheet Rev 5 (May 2015), Figure "Pin Configurations" on page 12.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with MAX4374FESD, MAX4375FESD offers identical gain and analog functionality in a smaller package but demands layout revision, while INA219BIDR trades autonomous latching for digital interface and superior measurement resolution - making MAX4374FESD optimal for hardware-triggered, ultra-low-power overcurrent protection.

Availability

MAX4374FESD is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart battery chargers, notebook computers, portable medical devices, and industrial power supplies requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for MAX4374FESD 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

Maxim Integrated (now part of Analog Devices) is a semiconductor company specializing in precision analog, mixed-signal, and power management ICs for demanding industrial, computing, and portable applications.

The MAX4373/MAX4374/MAX4375 family was engineered specifically for high-side current monitoring in battery-powered systems - prioritizing micropower operation, deep-discharge compatibility, and hardware-latched fault signaling over digital configurability.

FAQ

What is the maximum common-mode voltage the MAX4374FESD can handle?

The MAX4374FESD supports a 0V to +28V input common-mode range at RS+ and RS−, independent of VCC. This means it remains fully functional even when connected directly to a deeply discharged battery pack at 0.3V or to a 24V industrial rail - a key enabler for single-supply, high-side sensing without level-shifting circuitry. The specification is guaranteed across the full −40°C to +85°C operating temperature range.

Does the MAX4374FESD require external gain-setting resistors?

No, the MAX4374FESD does not require external gain-setting resistors. Its +50V/V gain is factory-trimmed and internally fixed, eliminating resistor tolerance errors, board space, and thermal drift concerns. This architecture delivers consistent output scaling (e.g., 2.5V out for 50mV sense voltage) across units and temperature - a core design advantage over op-amp-based current-sense solutions that rely on external feedback networks.

How does the latching comparator in the MAX4374FESD prevent oscillation during overcurrent events?

The MAX4374FESD's COUT1 output latches into a high-impedance (open-drain) OFF state once CIN1 exceeds 600mV, and remains latched until RESET is pulsed low for ≥1.5µs. This eliminates chatter during marginal overloads where sensed current fluctuates near the trip threshold - a critical reliability feature for driving external MOSFET gates or interrupt lines in safety-critical systems like medical devices or battery protection circuits.

Can the MAX4374FESD be used for low-side current sensing?

Yes, the MAX4374FESD can be used for low-side sensing by connecting RS+ to the load side and RS− to ground. However, total output voltage error increases significantly when V_RS+ falls below 2V - as documented in the Electrical Characteristics table and Typical Operating Characteristics (Figure toc08). For high-accuracy low-side applications, dedicated low-side amplifiers with rail-to-rail inputs are recommended; MAX4374FESD excels in high-side configurations where ground-path integrity is essential.

What is the function of the CIN2 and COUT2 pins on the MAX4374FESD?

On the MAX4374FESD, CIN2 is the positive input of a second comparator whose negative input is tied to the internal 600mV reference, and COUT2 is its open-drain output. This dual-comparator architecture enables window-detection functionality: CIN1/COUT1 detects overcurrent, while CIN2/COUT2 detects undercurrent - allowing combined high/low threshold monitoring using a single IC and external resistor dividers, reducing component count versus discrete solutions.