What this Li-Ion protector does and where it fits
The Texas Instruments BQ296226DSGT is a dedicated over-voltage protection IC for 2 to 4 series-connected Li-Ion cells. It monitors each cell independently and triggers a fault output when any cell exceeds the over-voltage threshold — no under-voltage, over-current, or temperature monitoring on this die. That makes it a secondary-protection companion to a primary fuel-gauge or protector IC, not a standalone battery management system. The 8-WSON (2x2 mm) package with exposed pad keeps the board footprint small — suitable for compact battery packs in power tools, portable medical gear, or thin-profile consumer electronics. The -40°C to 110°C operating range covers the thermal rise inside a sealed pack near a motor or charging circuit.
Over-voltage protection — the one job it does
This part's fault protection is limited to over-voltage. Each cell is monitored; if any cell voltage rises above the factory-programmed threshold, the output drives the protection FET gate low (or high, depending on the variant) to disconnect the pack. There is no programmable threshold — the BQ296226DSGT is a fixed-threshold device, so verify the specific trip voltage against your cell chemistry before committing the BOM line.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
Status is Active — no end-of-life notice, no last-time-buy window. This is a current-production part, not a shortage play.