Diodes Incorporated PT8A3236WE

Overview

PT8A3236WE from Pericom Semiconductor is a mixed-signal CMOS heating controller IC for hair curlers and similar thermal appliances, supporting dual 120V/240V AC line operation with auto-voltage adaptation, NTC-based temperature sensing, open-NTC fault protection, 1-hour auto-off timer (at 60 Hz), and direct SCR gate drive. It operates from 3.5–5.5 V, consumes ≤250 µA, and uses an internal 2-bit ADC to interpret NTC voltage levels.

For engineers reviewing the PT8A3236WE datasheet, PT8A3236WE pinout, PT8A3236WE application, or PT8A3236WE equivalent, key selection considerations include its single-key ON/OFF control mode, flash-mode LED indication during heating, absence of auto power-off timer (unlike PT8A3234/35), SOIC-8 lead-free/Green package, and compatibility with external NTC thermistors and phase-controlled SCR triac drivers.

Technical Context

The PT8A3236WE implements a state-machine-based thermal control architecture with three operational states: Reset, Heating-On, and Heating-Off. Its 2-bit ADC digitizes NTC voltage at Pin 1 (NTC1) across three thresholds (VNTC0–VNTC2) to determine SCR duty cycle and LED flash pattern.

It accepts 50/60 Hz AC line-derived clock via Pin 3 (CLK), uses Pin 5 (ON/OFF) as a single-button input with LED1 drive capability, and outputs active-high GATE pulses (Pin 6) to trigger external SCRs. NTC open detection is performed using Pins 1 (input) and 2 (output), forcing GATE disable and Flash2 (1/8 CLK) on LED1 when NTC resistance exceeds 20 MΩ.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

PT8A3236WE is housed in a lead-free, RoHS-compliant SOIC-8 package (JEDEC MS-012E/AA), measuring 4.7–5.1 mm × 3.8–4.0 mm × 1.35–1.75 mm, with 1.27 mm pitch.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar heating controller applications.

Compared with PT8A3234WE and PT8A3235WE, PT8A3236WE uniquely omits the auto-off timer while retaining flash-mode LED feedback - making it optimal for manually controlled, continuously operated thermal devices where timer-induced shutdown is undesirable.

Availability

PT8A3236WE is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for hair curlers, flat irons, travel dryers, and personal care thermal appliances requiring stable component supply, lead-free compliance, and SOIC-8 manufacturability.

Supply support for PT8A3236WE 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

Pericom Semiconductor (now part of Diodes Incorporated) specialized in high-performance interface, timing, and power management ICs for consumer and industrial electronics before its 2016 acquisition.

The PT8A323x series was developed as a cost-optimized, single-chip thermal controller family targeting low-BOM, high-reliability hair styling and personal care appliances with integrated NTC safety logic and SCR drive.

FAQ

What is the function of Pin 2 (NTC2) on the PT8A3236WE?

Pin 2 (NTC2) is a digital output that signals NTC open-circuit condition. When the NTC thermistor resistance exceeds 20 MΩ, NTC2 goes high, forcing the GATE output low to disable SCR heating and triggering Flash2 (1/8 CLK) on LED1. It does not accept input signals and is not used for normal temperature measurement.

Does PT8A3236WE support both 50 Hz and 60 Hz AC line frequencies?

Yes - the PT8A3236WE accepts 50 Hz or 60 Hz clock input on Pin 3 (CLK) directly from the AC mains. Internal timing, including LED flash rates (1/32 CLK) and functional behavior, scales automatically with the applied frequency; no configuration or external components are required for either standard.

How does PT8A3236WE differ from PT8A3230WE in terms of control interface?

PT8A3236WE uses a single-key interface (Pin 5 toggles ON/OFF), while PT8A3230WE requires two dedicated buttons (separate ON and OFF inputs). Both share identical NTC sensing, SCR drive, and LED behavior, but PT8A3236WE simplifies mechanical design and reduces PCB routing by consolidating control into one pin.

Can PT8A3236WE drive a standard 1 A SCR directly?

Yes - the GATE output (Pin 6) provides 2.5 mA sink current at VCC = 5.0 V and VOUT = 0.5 V, sufficient to trigger common low-gate-charge SCRs (e.g., MAC12D, BT134) used in sub-1 kW heating loads. For higher-current SCRs or noisy environments, a small buffer transistor is recommended but not required for basic operation.