Current Limiter Circuit Using two transistors
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
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In many critical applications, circuits are required to maintain a strict controlled magnitude of current through them of at their outputs. The proposed circuit is exactly meant for carrying out the discussed function. The lower transistor is the main output transistor which operates the output vulnerable load and by itself is unable to control the current through it.
The introduction of the upper transistor makes it sure that the base of the lower transistor is allowed to conduct as long as the current output is within the specified limits. In case the current tends to cross the limits, the upper transistor conducts and switches OFF the lower transistor inhibiting any further passage of the exceeded current limit. The threshold current may be fixed by R which is calculated with the shown formula.
The introduction of the upper transistor makes it sure that the base of the lower transistor is allowed to conduct as long as the current output is within the specified limits. In case the current tends to cross the limits, the upper transistor conducts and switches OFF the lower transistor inhibiting any further passage of the exceeded current limit. The threshold current may be fixed by R which is calculated with the shown formula.
