Over Current Protection (OCP)

What is Over Current Protection (OCP)?

Over Current Protection (OCP) is a safety feature that is commonly used in power supplies to protect against potentially damaging current surges.

OCP functions by monitoring the current flowing through a power supply's output and, if the current exceeds a specified threshold, the OCP circuit will activate and shut down the power supply to prevent any further damage. The OCP circuit is usually implemented using a current sense resistor, which is placed in series with the power supply's output. As current flows through the resistor, a voltage drop is produced, which is proportional to the current. This voltage drop is then fed into a comparator circuit, which compares the voltage to a reference voltage that is set by the OCP threshold. If the voltage exceeds the threshold, the comparator will trigger the OCP circuit to activate and shut down the power supply. The OCP threshold is typically set at a level that is slightly above the maximum rated output current of the power supply. This ensures that the OCP will only activate if there is a significant over-current situation, such as a short circuit or a faulty load. OCP is an important safety feature in power supplies, as it helps to prevent damage to the power supply and connected equipment in the event of a fault. It is particularly important in high-power applications, where over-current situations can cause significant damage or even pose a safety hazard.