Hot swap controller with programmable fault handling
The TPS2420RSAR: It integrates the internal switch, so no external MOSFET is needed for the pass element. The supply range spans 3V to 20V, and the device delivers up to 5A continuous output. That 5A figure is the absolute maximum — derate for ambient temperature and PCB copper area under the exposed pad.
What the protection features mean on the bench
Programmable options include auto-retry, circuit breaker threshold, current limit, fault timeout, and latched fault. The circuit breaker and current limit let you set the trip point with an external resistor; the fault timeout decides how long the controller waits before retrying or latching off. The thermal limit shuts down the internal FET if the die temperature exceeds the safe operating area — useful when the load is a capacitive bank that draws high inrush on a hot board. The UVLO pin lets you hold the output off until the input rail is stable.
Package and rework reality
The exposed pad must be soldered to the ground plane — without it the thermal limit kicks in well below the 5A rating.
Active production and compliance
The 16-QFN package is MSL-1 per TI's standard QFN rating — no bake required before reflow if the bag seal is intact.