Low Side Drive

Low side drive is a technique used in electronic circuits to switch a load on and off in high power applications. It is commonly used in motor control circuits and power management systems to control the flow of current to a load. In this blog post, we will explore what low side drive is, how it works, and its applications.

Low side drive is a technique used in electronic circuits to switch a load on and off in high power applications. It works by creating a voltage difference across the load to allow current flow. Low side drive is commonly used in motor control circuits and power management systems to control the flow of current to a load. It offers several advantages over high side drive, such as grounding the load and isolating it from the power supply. Understanding low side drive and its applications is crucial for anyone working with electronic circuits and power management systems.

What Is Low Side Drive?

Low side drive is a technique that allows the switching of a load on the negative side of a power supply. The load is connected between the negative side of the power supply and the output of the switching device. The switching device, usually a MOSFET or a transistor, is connected to the positive side of the power supply. When the switching device is turned on, current flows through the load and the device. When the device is turned off, the current flow stops, and the load is disconnected from the power supply.

How Does Low Side Drive Work?

Low side drive works by creating a voltage difference across the load to allow current flow. The voltage difference is created by the switching device, which acts as a gate to allow or block the current flow. When the device is turned on, the voltage difference is created, and current flows through the load. When the device is turned off, the voltage difference disappears, and the load is disconnected from the power supply.

Applications Of Low Side Drive

Low side drive is commonly used in motor control circuits, where it is used to control the speed and direction of a motor. It is also used in power management systems to switch power to a load, such as a light or a heating element. Low side drive is preferred over high side drive in some applications because it allows the load to be grounded and isolated from the power supply.