February 2009

Rev 1

1/20

UM0575

User manual

STEVAL- IHT003V1, e-STARTER demonstration board

based on the ACST6 and X02

Introduction

The e-STARTER demonstration board (Figure 1) presents an innovative solution, patented

by STMicroelectronics, to reduce the power losses due to the positive thermal coefficient

(PTC) resistors in compressor starter circuits.

This solution features an ACST6 device which is used to turn off the PTC current after the

motor startup. It should be noted that the traditional PTC is still used in the electronic starter

circuit because it increases safety in case of ACST short-circuit or diode-mode failure (ref.

EN60335-1). This solution allows the starter standby losses to be decreased from typically

2.5 W to 380 mW or 40 mW, respectively for 230 V and 100 V applications.

The e-STARTER operation principle along with detailed schematics are given as well as

demonstration board performances and the method to adapt the circuit to a dedicated

compressor.

It should be noted that this board is not a "plug and play" solution. First, the PTC behavior

the R4 resistor value has to be chosen before using the board with a compressor.

Figure 1.

STEVAL- IHT003V1, e-STARTER demonstration board

AM01038v1

www.st.com