Fast opto-couplers block 50kV/µs for industrial PLCs

Toshiba is aiming at industrial programmable logic controllers with fast surface-mount photocouplers that have hysteresis in the signal path.

Toshiba high-speed industrial photo-coupler

They are amplified types with threshold detection and an open-drain output.

Operation is across -40 to +125°C and the secondary side will run from between 2.7 and 5.5V, consuming ~1mA. Operation is specified at 3.3 and 5V.


Input-referred hysteresis is typically 200μA, but absolute levels are not tightly controlled within 0.5 to 5mA. The device is specified with inputs of 7.5 or 10mA.


Output pull-down voltage depends on number of factors, but it take 16mA below 0.3V in most circumstances. A 350Ω resistor to 3.3V or 5V is used for data sheet timing measurements.

Toshiba fast opto-isolator hysteresisA form of under-voltage lock-out is implemented to prevent output chattering if the power supply rises or falls slowly, said Toshiba, which provided Electronics Weekly with the diagram on the left – although the characteristic does not appear to be specified in the data sheet at the time of writing.

An internal an internal Faraday shield raises common-mode transient immunity of to ±50kV/µs, and they are compliant with IEC 61131-2 (Type 1).

Toshiba high-speed industrial photo-coupler package

The four parts are:

  • TLP2362B 10Mbit/s, 3,75kVrms isolation, 3.7 x 7mm SO6
  • TLP2368B 20Mbit/s, 3,75kVrms isolation, 3.7 x 7mm SO6
  • TLP2762B 10Mbit/s, 5kVrms isolation, 3.84 x 10mm SO6L
  • TLP2768B 20Mbit/s, 5kVrms isolation, 3.84 x 10mm SO6L

20Mbit/s parts have a propagation delay <60ns, which increases to <100ns in 10MHz types. All are 2.3mm tall.

There is a tiny bit more on the power supply hysteresis on this web page and IEC 61131-2 (Type 1) inputs in this document

Steve Bush

Steve Bush is the long-standing technology editor for Electronics Weekly, covering electronics developments for more than 25 years. He has a particular interest in the Power and Embedded areas of the industry. He also writes for the Engineer In Wonderland blog, covering 3D printing, CNC machines and miscellaneous other engineering matters.

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