Toshiba Expands eFuse IC Lineup with New 40V TCKE6 Series for Enhanced Circuit Protection in Industrial and Consumer Applications
Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has announced the launch of its new TCKE6 series of electronic fuses (eFuse ICs), designed to deliver advanced protection functions required for modern power line circuitry. The new additions—model numbers TCKE601RA, TCKE601RL, TCKE602RM, TCKE603RA, and TCKE603RL—will begin shipping starting today. With the introduction of this lineup, Toshiba continues to expand its portfolio of semiconductor devices engineered to enhance protection, efficiency, and reliability in both industrial and consumer electronic systems.
Overview and Purpose of the TCKE6 Series
As electronic devices become increasingly compact and powerful, effective circuit protection has become essential to maintaining system safety and long-term reliability. Traditional physical fuses can provide basic short-circuit protection, but they lack the ability to actively control current flow or respond rapidly to abnormal voltage conditions. Once a physical fuse is blown, it requires replacement and offers no active recovery mechanism. Additionally, physical fuses generally cannot incorporate multifunctional protection in a single component, creating a need for designers to use multiple discrete protective components, which increases board space and system complexity.
The newly released TCKE6 series addresses these limitations by integrating an array of protection and control capabilities directly into a single semiconductor device. These eFuse ICs provide the same fundamental short-circuit protection offered by conventional fuses while adding advanced features such as current limiting, thermal shutdown, and overvoltage protection, thereby ensuring valuable downstream circuits and ICs remain protected when irregular or damaging electrical conditions occur.
Multifunctional Protection Enhancing System Reliability
One of the most significant advantages of the TCKE6 series is its ability to protect circuits against both overcurrent and overvoltage scenarios. An overcurrent event, such as a load short or excessive power draw, can rapidly damage sensitive semiconductor devices if left unchecked. Similarly, overvoltage conditions—resulting from unstable external power sources or sudden load changes—can permanently damage downstream components. Toshiba’s eFuse ICs respond to these conditions by controlling output levels, preventing harmful spikes, and automatically shutting down when safe operating thresholds are exceeded.
A critical feature incorporated into these devices is thermal protection. If abnormal heat generation or a severe short-circuit triggers a dangerous thermal rise, the eFuse IC will immediately shut off output power, protecting both itself and any connected circuit elements. This rapid response minimizes heat damage and supports long-term system durability.
Benefits in System Design—Compact, Efficient, and Flexible
The ability to combine multiple protection functions into a single semiconductor device provides major benefits for circuit designers. Traditional power protection systems may require separate components for current limiting, overvoltage suppression, switching control, and short-circuit protection. Implementing these individually increases design complexity, requires more PCB surface area, and adds cost.
By replacing these discrete components with an integrated eFuse IC, the TCKE6 series simplifies layout and wiring needs, reduces component count, and supports compact device designs. This is particularly valuable in industrial applications where equipment often operates in constrained enclosures, and in consumer electronics where form factor is critical to user experience.
Additionally, the series features a low on-resistance of 52mΩ (typ.), resulting in lower power dissipation and reduced heat generation during normal operation. Lower resistance directly contributes to improved system power efficiency—an advantage for battery-powered devices and energy-conscious industrial systems alike.
Input Voltage Range and Market Versatility
The new eFuse ICs support a wide input voltage range from 4.4V to 30V, allowing compatibility with common power rails, including 5V, 9V, 12V, and 24V power systems. With a 40V rating, these devices are well-suited for circuits that must tolerate transient voltage spikes or operate in harsh conditions, such as factory automation equipment, industrial robotics, office electronics, and high-performance consumer devices.
All new models are housed in a compact TSOP6F package measuring just 2.9mm × 2.8mm (typ.), helping manufacturers reduce board size without sacrificing performance. This form factor is advantageous for a wide variety of applications, including:
- Programmable controllers and industrial automation equipment
- Security devices and networking equipment
- Office devices and POS terminals
- Consumer electronics and home appliances
- Power management modules for portable devices
Functional Variants for Application Flexibility
Recognizing that different industries and product designs require varied control options, Toshiba offers several configuration types within the TCKE6 series. The lineup includes products with either FLAG or EN (enable) control functions and supports two recovery operation styles:
| Feature Type | Description |
|---|---|
| FLAG function | Output signal to notify systems of abnormal events such as overcurrent or overvoltage |
| EN function | Allows external control for enabling or disabling the eFuse IC |
| Auto-retry mode | eFuse automatically attempts recovery after a protection shutdown |
| Latched mode | Requires an external reset signal to resume operation after shutdown |
Some product variants combine multiple functions, while one model offers flexible mode switching between auto-retry and latched recovery without incorporating FLAG or EN functionality—ideal for minimal component designs.
Optimized for Safety-Critical and High-Demand Systems
The TCKE6 series supports system designers who require maximum reliability in mission-critical environments. For example, industrial robotic systems and automated production lines demand protection against costly downtime or mechanical risk caused by power failure. The rapid response and automatic protection recovery offered by auto-retry operation help maintain continuous operation without manual intervention.
In consumer electronics, where safety standards and compact design requirements continue to intensify, the TCKE6 series ensures protection without compromising design freedom. As connected devices expand with higher power requirements such as fast chargers, smart appliances, and motor-driven equipment, the need for robust electronic protection is accelerating across markets.
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