Active production — a current-sense amp for supply-rail monitoring
The MAX4376FASA+ is an active-production current sense amplifier from Analog Devices, still supported for new designs. It monitors current by amplifying the voltage drop across an external shunt resistor, outputting a voltage proportional to the load current — a single-circuit solution in an 8-SOIC package.
1.7 MHz bandwidth and 10 V/µs slew rate — signal fidelity for fast transients
The 1.7 MHz -3 dB bandwidth and 10 V/µs slew rate mean this part can track fast current transients — useful for monitoring switching converters or motor-drive rails where the current waveform contains high-frequency content. The bandwidth sets the upper limit on the frequency of current ripple that the output can faithfully reproduce; for a 500 kHz switching regulator, the fundamental ripple frequency is within the passband, so the output tracks the inductor current waveform with minimal attenuation. Supply current is 1 mA typical, which keeps the self-heating contribution to the measurement error low — important when the sense amplifier sits on a warm board near the power stage.
3 V to 28 V supply — wide operating range for common rails
The 800 µA input bias current is the current drawn into the sense inputs — it flows through the shunt resistor and adds a small offset error; for a 10 mΩ shunt, the 8 mV offset from bias current is negligible in a 10 A measurement, but it matters at milliampere-level sense currents.
The operating temperature range spans -40°C to +125°C, covering industrial enclosures, engine bays, and outdoor telecom cabinets.
RoHS3 compliant — no lead, no conflict with global directives
The MAX4376FASA+ carries ROHS3 compliance, meaning it meets the EU RoHS directive including the exemption-free limits for all ten restricted substances.