STMicroelectronics VNQ860

Overview

VNQ860 from STMicroelectronics is a quad-channel high-side driver IC fabricated in VIPower M0-3 technology, designed to drive resistive, inductive, or capacitive loads with one side grounded. It features 270 mΩ on-state resistance per channel, 0.25 A continuous output current, 36 V supply voltage rating, and integrated protections including thermal shutdown (150–200 °C), undervoltage (4 V typ.) and overvoltage (42 V typ.) shutdown, and shorted-load current limiting (0.7 A typ.). It is widely used in programmable logic controller (PLC) output modules compliant with IEC 61131-2.

For engineers reviewing the VNQ860 datasheet, VNQ860 pinout, VNQ860 application, or VNQ860 equivalent, key selection criteria include per-channel R_DS(on), fault reporting via STATUS pin, ground-loss detection, CMOS-compatible input thresholds (V_IL = 1.25 V, V_IH = 3.25 V), and thermal performance under industrial ambient conditions.

Technical Context

The VNQ860 integrates four independent high-side power switches with active current limiting, thermal sensing, and autonomous restart after fault clearance. Each channel includes dedicated overtemperature hysteresis (7–15 °C), reverse-battery clamp diodes, and status feedback via open-drain STATUS pin shared across all channels.

Its protection architecture responds to simultaneous faults: loss of ground disconnects all outputs; undervoltage (V_USD) disables switching below ~4 V; overvoltage (V_OV) triggers shutdown above ~42 V; and thermal shutdown (T_TSD = 175 °C typ.) forces automatic reset at 135 °C (T_R). Input logic is CMOS-compatible with 0.5 V hysteresis for noise immunity.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Available in SO-20 (surface-mount) and PowerSO-10™ (exposed-tab thermally enhanced) packages. The SO-20 variant provides full pin access for all four channels and diagnostics; PowerSO-10 consolidates power and ground pins for higher thermal efficiency in space-constrained designs.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar high-side driver applications.

Compared with VNQ860, IPS2050H offers configurability at the cost of channel count and system-level integration, while TPS27082L trades ground-fault immunity for lower R_DS(on) and higher current-making VNQ860 uniquely suited for safety-critical industrial I/O where wiring faults must be detected autonomously.

Availability

VNQ860 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for programmable logic controllers, industrial motor starters, automated test equipment, and building management systems requiring stable component supply and long-term industrial lifecycle support.

Supply support for VNQ860 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

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in automotive, industrial, and power management solutions with vertical manufacturing and broad IP portfolio.

VNQ860 belongs to ST's VIPower high-side driver family, engineered specifically for industrial control applications demanding robust fault handling, ground-loss immunity, and compliance with IEC 61131-2 programmable controller standards.

FAQ

What is the maximum safe operating temperature for VNQ860?

The VNQ860 features internal thermal shutdown at 175 °C typical (150–200 °C range), with automatic restart at 135 °C. Its junction temperature is internally limited; case temperature must remain ≤150 °C. Thermal performance depends on PCB copper area-R_thj-case is 1.4 °C/W in PowerSO-10 with 6 cm² copper, enabling 0.25 A/channel operation at 70 °C ambient without heatsink.

Does VNQ860 require external current-sense resistors?

No. VNQ860 implements fully integrated per-channel current limiting with a typical trip threshold of 0.7 A and hysteresis. The device uses internal sensing to activate thermal shutdown or enter current-limited mode during overload-no external resistor or amplifier is needed for basic protection.

Can VNQ860 drive inductive loads like relays or solenoids?

Yes. VNQ860 includes integrated reverse-battery clamping diodes with V_demag = V_CC−52 V, enabling direct drive of 24 V DC relays and solenoids. Its 40 µs turn-off delay and 0.25 V/µs falling slew rate suppress ringing, while active current limiting prevents coil saturation damage during repeated actuation.

How does the STATUS pin behave during multiple simultaneous faults?

The STATUS pin is an open-drain output shared across all four channels and asserts low whenever any fault occurs-including overtemperature, undervoltage, overvoltage, shorted load, or ground loss. It remains low until all faults clear and the device resets; no priority encoding or fault identification is provided-it signals "at least one fault" condition only.