LTC4230CGN

The LTC4230CGN is an 8‑pin high‑side hot‑swap controller from Linear Technology (now Analog Devices). It protects a live power rail during board insertion/removal by actively driving an external N‑channel MOSFET to limit inrush and fault currents. Key features include programmable current limit via a sense resistor, soft‑start to cap inrush, undervoltage/overvoltage protection, reverse polarity protection, and thermal shutdown. It provides fault/power‑good signaling and can be used to gate a single high‑side switch, making it suitable for protecting PCIe/other expansion cards, telecom/industrial rails, and automotive‑style power domains. The CGN suffix indicates the RoHS‑compliant package variant (8‑lead plastic package). For exact electrical ranges, timing, and pinout, refer to the LTC4230CGN datasheet and evaluation boards.

Direct 1:1 equivalents don’t exist. Closest functionally similar parts in Analog Devices/Linear Tech’s family are: LTC4231 (hot-swap controller with current limit), LTC4233, and LTC4255 (multi-supply hot-swap/ORing controller). For exact cross-references, check Digi‑Key/Mouser or ADI’s cross-reference tool.

LTC4230CGN features (concise):
- Single‑channel hot‑swap controller to protect a board during power insertion/removal
- Drives an external N‑channel MOSFET for controlled inrush
- Adjustable current limit via sense resistor
- Soft-start to limit inrush and reduce voltage spikes
- Reverse‑current protection to prevent backfeeding
- Undervoltage lockout (UVLO) for proper turn‑on
- Overcurrent/short‑circuit protection and thermal shutdown
- Fault/Status outputs for system monitoring (fault and status signals)
- Compact 8‑lead package (CGN) suitable for dense layouts

8 pins (MSOP-8 package). It is a single‑channel hot‑swap controller for a DC power path, regulating inrush with current limit and providing protections (overcurrent/overvoltage) and a fault output to monitor the load.

- Manufacturer: Linear Technology Corporation (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Analog Devices, Inc.).
- What kind of company: An American multinational semiconductor company specializing in designing and manufacturing analog, mixed-signal, and power-management integrated circuits.

LTC4230CGN is a hot-swap controller. Typical application areas include:
- Hot-swap protection and current limiting for high-side switches in DC power rails (12–48V class)
- Server and data-center backplanes, line cards, PCIe/Storage enclosures
- Telecom and networking equipment (switches, routers, base stations)
- Industrial control systems with removable modules
- Any power-path requiring controlled turn-on/turn-off, fault protection and reverse-battery protection of a MOSFET.

LTC4230CGN comes in an 8-pin MSOP (Plastic Small Outline) package, about 3×3 mm, RoHS/“green” compliant.