Isolated ADCs claimed first for ac mains monitoring

Isolated ADCs claimed first for ac mains monitoring

Offered as the first isolated 10-bit A/D converter devices designed for ac mains monitoring, the Si890x family combines the company’s CMOS-based digital isolation technology and its ADC technology in 16-pin SOIC wide-body packages. Unlike current solutions that use a current transformer coupled with discrete components and a data converter, the Si890x family provides a much smaller and thinner solution than transformer designs and can transmit power measurements through an isolated serial port for processing by the system controller.

The family features 2.5 and 5 kV isolation ratings, meeting the safety requirements for high-voltage systems such as IEC 60950-1, 61010-1 and 60601-1 standards and UL, CSA and VDE certifications. The family’s 5 kV rating enables the devices to be used in demanding industrial and medical applications and universal-powered systems with 120/220 Vac mains supplies. Also the parts offer up to 1,200 V working voltage with an isolation barrier lifetime of more than 60 years.

Each ADC input features a 3-channel analog multiplexer, which enables a single Si890x isolated ADC to monitor up to three different signals (typically ac mains voltage and current with the third channel serving as a spare). All three members of the Si890x family are supported by the Si890xPWR-KIT evaluation kit, which contains a master controller that enables developers to quickly and easily connect to the ac line and observe waveforms on an oscilloscope or otherwise receive serial data.

The Si890x family offers a choice of three serial interface options: UART, I2C and SPI.(From $1.65 ea/10,000; Si890xPWR-KIT, $149 — available now)

By Christina Nickolas

Silicon Laboratories , Austin , TX
Information 512-416-8500
www.silabs.com