The Pololu Pushbutton Power Switches are sophisticated power control alternatives to bulky mechanical switches. The main function is pushbutton-based latching power control, where one push turns on power and another push turns it off.
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The Pololu Pushbutton Power Switch is a compact, solid-state power switch that features built-in reverse-voltage protection and is controlled by a momentary pushbutton: one push turns on power and another push turns it off. This is a patented design initially created for use in Polou's own products as an alternative to bulky mechanical switches. Because the switched current does not flow through the mechanical switch, a large variety of small, low-power switches can be used to control a substantial amount of power. The use of momentary switches also allows multiple switches to be used in parallel to control the power to one load.
The board has a small pushbutton already installed and offers convenient points for connecting external pushbutton or tactile switches in parallel. It also offers several alternate pushbutton connection options that result in push-on-only or push-off-only operation, and additional inputs enable further power control options like allowing the load to turn off its own power, which can be beneficial when used with battery chemistries sensitive to over-discharging.
The switch and control inputs control the state of a latching circuit that in turn controls a pair of power MOSFETs through which the main current flows. Two versions of the Pololu Pushbutton Power Switches are available:
The primary difference between the units is the MOSFET used, which sets the operating range and performance of the units:
LV | SV | |
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Absolute max voltage: | 20 V | 40 V |
Recommended operating voltage: | 2.2 V to 16 V | 4.5 V to 32 V |
MOSFET combined on resistance (max) | 26 mΩ @ 1.8 V | |
16 mΩ @ 4.5 V | 90 mΩ @ 4.5 V | |
50 mΩ @ 10 V | ||
Continuous current at 55°C(1) | 3.0 A | 2.0 A |
Continuous current at 150°C(1) | 6.0 A | 4.3 A |
Maximum current | 12 A | 7.2 A |
Current consumption in on state(2) | ~210 μA/V | ~120 μA/V |
Current consumption in off state | ~0.01 μA | < 0.01 μA |
LED colour | red | green |
Size | 0.6″ × 0.7″ × 0.12″ | |
Weight | 0.6 g |
1 With ambient temperature of 22°C in still air.
2 On state current is dominated by indicator LED; current is approximately proportional to input voltage.
Please note that this switch has several drawbacks when compared to mechanical switches, so please be sure you fully understand this product before using it in your system.
Compared to the previous versions of the Pololu pushbutton power switches, the new versions deliver less current but have substantially expanded operating voltage ranges along with reverse-voltage protection and more control options. The size and pinout has changed, so the new versions cannot be used as direct drop-in replacements for the old ones.
The Pololu Pushbutton Power Switch works well in its intended application as a DC power switch for small robots, but because it is fundamentally different from a mechanical power switch, the benefits and drawbacks of the components must be fully considered.
Benefits over mechanical switches:
Drawbacks compared to mechanical switches:
Polou also offer a MOSFET Slide Switch with Reverse Voltage Protection that avoids several of these drawbacks.
The simplest way to control the Pushbutton Power Switch is via its installed pushbutton: one push turns on power and another turns it off. Alternatively, a separate pushbutton, such as a remote panel-mounted unit, can be connected to the A and B pins and used instead. Multiple pushbuttons can be wired in parallel for multiple control points, and each of the parallel pushbuttons, including the one on the board itself, will be able to turn the switch on or off. The latching circuit performs some button debouncing, but pushbuttons with excessive bouncing (several ms) might not function well with this product.
More advanced control options are available through the button connection pins and three control inputs:
PIN | Description |
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A | Connect through momentary switch to pin “B” for standard push-on/push-off operation. Connect through momentary switch to ground for on-only operation. |
B | Connect through momentary switch to pin “A” for standard push-on/push-off operation. |
ON | A high pulse (> 1 V) on this pin turns on the switch. |
OFF | A high pulse (> 1 V) on this pin turns off the switch (e.g. allowing the target device to shut off its own power). |
CTRL | This pin directly determines the state of the switch. A high pulse (> 1 V) on this pin turns on the switch; a low pulse (e.g. driving the pin low with a microcontroller output line or pushing a button connected from this pin to ground) turns the switch off. Leave this pin disconnected or floating when not trying to set the switch state. Note that this pin should not be driven high at the same time the “OFF” pin is driven high. |
The input structures for the three control inputs are shown below:
The Pushbutton Power Switch is compatible with solderless breadboards and perforated printed circuit boards with standard 0.1″ spacing. For such applications, the included male header pins can be soldered to the switch PCB. Alternatively, wires can be soldered directly to the switch PCB for non-breadboard applications. For high-current applications, make sure that the wires can safely carry the current. Two pads/pins are provided for each of the power nodes, and multiple pads should be used for applications drawing over 5 A.
Because MOSFETs in the on state are effectively resistive, the power heating the board is proportional to the square of the current flowing through it. The comparison table near the top of this page shows typical currents that heat the MOSFETs to 55°C, where the MOSFETs start being noticeably warm but are still generally safe to touch, and currents that heat the MOSFETs to 150°C, the absolute limit for the MOSFETs. With adequate cooling, or for brief periods if the MOSFETs are not hot to begin with, currents up to the listed maximums are attainable.
The switch operating range is limited by the ability to change state reliably. At low voltages, the switch is difficult to turn on, and the switch will turn itself off once the voltage falls far enough (typically 3 V and 1.5 V for the SV and LV versions, respectively). At high voltages, the switches are more likely to turn on when power is initially applied. The reliability of turning off is affected by a combination of the supply voltage, the amount of bouncing on the pushbutton switch, and the amount of noise on the supply line. For applications at the high end of the operating range, tests should be performed to ensure that the device can properly turn off.
Size: | 0.6″ × 0.7″ × 0.12″ |
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Weight: | 0.6 g1 |
Current rating: | 4.3 A2 |
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Minimum operating voltage: | 4.5 V |
Maximum operating voltage: | 40 V3 |
Reverse voltage protection?: | Y |
PCB dev codes: | psw03a |
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Other PCB markings: | 0J9124 |
LED colour: | green |