Active eFuse for 5V and 12V rails
The Texas Instruments TPS259240DRCT is an electronic fuse (eFuse) in a 10-VFDFN exposed-pad package (3x3 mm VSON). It protects downstream circuitry from overcurrent and overvoltage faults on 4.5V to 13.8V supply rails — the sweet spot for 5V and 12V systems in industrial controls, networking gear, and power-distribution boards. The current-limit accuracy is ±8%, which means the 5A nominal trip point can sit as low as 4.6A or as high as 5.4A over temperature. That tolerance directly sets the headroom you need between the load's steady-state draw and the eFuse threshold — budget for the worst-case low side so you don't nuisance-trip on a normal transient.
The 4.5V to 13.8V input covers a 5V ±10% rail and a 12V ±15% rail without needing a separate pre-regulator. The 5A continuous output is the headline number, but the actual silicon limit depends on the thermal pad soldering and PCB copper area — the exposed pad on the 10-VSON must be tied to the ground plane with enough vias to pull the heat out. Without a proper thermal layout, the internal die temperature hits the 85°C operating ceiling well before you reach 5A in a 70°C ambient. For a factory-floor PLC or a base-station power card, it fits. For an engine-mounted ECU, you need the extended-range sibling.
Package and footprint — layout notes
The datasheet's recommended land pattern calls for a central pad with via array to the ground plane — skip that and the part thermally limits at a fraction of the 5A rating. The 0.50 mm pitch on the peripheral leads is manageable on a two-layer board, but the thermal pad forces at least a four-layer stack if you need the full current.
Sourcing and lifecycle — active production
There is no NRND flag or announced EOL on this base product number (TPS259240).