Half-bridge switch with an integrated 5V rail
The UC2950T is a bipolar half-bridge driver from Texas Instruments, designed to drive inductive and capacitive loads from a single 8V to 35V supply. Its standout feature is a 5V regulated output — a small on-chip regulator that can supply logic or sensor bias without an external LDO. The half-bridge output is configured for one high-side and one low-side switch, delivering 4A peak and 2A continuous per channel. The TO-220-5 through-hole package suits point-of-load motor, solenoid, or relay drive in general-purpose industrial equipment, where the 5V rail powers the control side.
What the ratings mean for the BOM
The 4A peak rating is the pulse capability — enough for the inrush of a DC motor or the plunger pull-in of a medium solenoid. The continuous 2A per channel is the thermal steady-state limit; the TO-220 tab is the heatsink path, so derating depends on how much copper or airflow you give it. The 5V regulated output is rated to supply a few tens of milliamps — enough for a Hall sensor, an optocoupler LED, or the logic supply of a small MCU, but not a main rail. The supply range from 8V to 35V means it runs comfortably on a 12V or 24V industrial bus without a pre-regulator. Over-temperature protection is built in, but no overcurrent or short-circuit shutdown — that is handled externally if the load is unpredictable.