Advanced Linear Devices (ALD) released the precision dual-channel SABMBOVP2XX family of products, which automatically balance supercapacitors with the addition of over-voltage protection (OVP). ALD’s SABMBOVP2XX Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) include a plug-and-play feature, which enables precision voltage clamp circuits with extremely high current gains. The SABMBOVP specifically targets cells in which the charging/discharging currents can be up to 1,000A, and charging at a few mA will take too long to reach the supercapacitor’s voltage limits. 

A critical design innovation of the family is that it has a high current gain (dl/dV =  ?3 mA/1 mV) amplifier, which typically produces more than 1,000,000 times the output increase with very small increments of less than 100mV in input change. By amplifying the output current, the voltage limits are reached quickly and efficiently to safely balance the supercapacitor. For example, a 33mV-input voltage change can change the current from 1mA to 100mA. 

The 0.6 x 1.6 inches (15.24 x 40.64 mm) board operates at temperatures from -40°C to +85°C. The boards can be cascaded to form a series-connected chain of boards to balance series-connected supercapacitors. The product family is in stock at Mouser and Digikey, and prices start from $15.42 each for a fully populated and tested board. 

www.aldinc.com