With this type of inductive load a higher energizing current is usually required than the ensuing hold current. The energizing current is thus regulated down to a (lower) hold setting after approximately 50ms. By reducing this to two thirds of the energizing current, for instance, the power dissipation in the solenoid is cut by over 50%.
Both the energizing and hold currents can be individually set using their respective external resistors. In iC-GE the delay between energize and hold can be prolonged across a wide range by an external capacitor.
The PWM drive uses an internal 80-kHz oscillator as a time base and is thus beyond audible range. These devices also include diagnostic functions which can flash any solenoid defects, fractured wires, and/or over temperature in the iC to the LED output (typically 2.4 Hz). A synchronization input also permits relays to be switched in zero load current so that contacts are preserved.
Typical applications are in medical and industrial systems using valves, pumps, actuators or relays.
Samples and production volume is available and can be ordered at $3.57 (iC-GE100: $2.10) in quantities of 1.000pcs.