Bidirectional circuit breaker protects against current, voltage faults

LINEAR TECHNOLOGY LTC4368 circuit protection controller ensures safe voltage and current levels for 2.5V to 60V electronics in battery-powered automotive, industrial and portable systems. Device replaces fuses, transient voltage suppressors and discrete circuitry, enabling a compact and comprehensive solution for shielding electronics from damaging overcurrent and over-, under- and reverse-voltage conditions. Device controls back-to-back N-channel MOSFETs to provide a low loss current path during normal operation, turning them off for overcurrent faults in the forward or reverse direction. Device provides symmetric forward and reverse current thresholds to protect batteries from excessive charge and discharge currents. http://www.linear.com/product/LTC4368