Assingle temperature sensor can provide an interrupt to a microcontroller when the measured temperature goes out of range. You need multiple temperature sensors when you have to monitor more than one hot spot. A microcontroller implements the proper protective action when one of the tomporature monitors detects an overtemperature condition. It is Sometimos easier and more cost-effective to simply disconnect the offending circuit from the power supply without involving a microcontroller TooRcur sv. POWER SUPPLY TCs varies oft > [Vex ouTser I our waxé510 = ser] HYST_GND 13% la 2, Figure 1. This thermat-orotection circuit includes a crowbar device, D,, driven by thermal switches IC, and IC, ‘Assimple thermal-protection circuit (Figure 1) includes two temperature switches, IC, and |C,, with active high outputs. Temperature thresholds for these switches depend on resistors R, and Rand the switch outputs connect fo the inputs of a dual-input OR gate, IC. OR gales with more than two inputs are available if you need more than two temperature switches. When excessive temperature drivos either input high, the OR gate's output switches high, causing an SCR (silicon-controliod rectifier) to crowbar the power supply and biow the fuse. ‘You must take precautions to ensure that the SCR does not trigger an a false gato pulso. Power- supply transients can cause a false high signal at the output of the OR gate and cause the SCR to tum on. Once triggered, the SCR cannot tum off, and the fuse blows. A small RC filter, R, and C,, suppresses any gata transients that would otherwise tum on the SCR.