HP Introduces Low-Cost, SO-16, Half-bridge Gate Drive Optocoupler for Motor-Control Applications.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1998--

Low-Cost Bootstrap-Powered Optocoupler Makes Isolated Gate Drive

Affordable for Home Appliances and HVAC Motor Drives

Hewlett-Packard Company today announced a 0.4-amp-output half-bridge gate drive optocoupler designed specifically for low-power (up to 25A) motor-control-inverter applications, such as air conditioners and washing machines using inverters based on insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBTs). The voltage and current provided by the HCPL-314J also makes it suitable for low-power industrial applications.

Motor drives with electronic speed and power control -- such as variable-frequency drives (VFDs) -- enable pumps, blowers and fans to accommodate fluctuating demand, running at a lower speed when power demand is lower, thus drawing less energy while still meeting the appliance needs. Single-speed drives start motors abruptly, subjecting motors to high torque and current surges of up to 10 times the full-load current. VFDs, on the other hand, offer a "soft-start" capability, gradually ramping a motor up to operating speed. This soft-start capability lessens mechanical and electrical stress on the motor system, and can reduce maintenance and repair costs and extend motor life.

These benefits apply to home-heating and air-conditioning systems and to appliances such as washers, dryers and dishwashers. Appliance manufacturers are using the technology to produce better-performing, more-energy-efficient appliances.

The HCPL-314J features very low power consumption (operating current less than 3mA), making it possible to power the optocoupler using a bootstrap technique, which eliminates the need for costly, isolated power.

Because the HCPL-314J features two channels integrated in one surface-mountable, industry-standard SOIC-16 package, it requires less board space -- up to 50 percent less -- than conventional, single-channel 8-pin DIP optocouplers.

Propagation delays between channels are matched to within 0.7 microseconds, allowing designers to minimize the "dead time" in an inverter and maximize its efficiency.

The HCPL-314J optocoupler is an excellent alternative to high-voltage integrated circuits (HVICs) and provides a low-cost way to drive an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). Unlike HVICs, the HCPL-314J, with its superior galvanic isolation, supports a microcontroller that is fully isolated from the high-voltage portion of the inverter, protecting the user from shock hazards.

The HCPL-314J is specified for operation over the -25(Degree)C to +85(Degree)C operating temperature range and is recognized under the component program of UL1577, CSA Component Acceptance Notice No. 5 and VDE 0884 (891 volts peak working voltage).

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U.S. Unit Prices and Availability

Part No.         Quantities

                  1 - 999   1K - 4,999     5K - 9,999     10K - 24,999
25K - 49,999
                  -------   ----------     ----------     ------------
------------

HCPL-314J          $3.00       $2.40          $2.00           $1.73
    $1.54

HCPL-314J           3.04        2.43           2.03            1.75
     1.56
OPT 500
(tape and reel
packaging option)

     All versions are available now.

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About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and Intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 127,200 employees and had revenue of $42.9 billion in its 1997 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Note to Editors: Sales information may be obtained by calling 800/537-7715, ext. 10056. Please do NOT use the editor contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

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