ACPL-C790-500E - Precision Isolation Amplifier | Broadcom
MPN: ACPL-C790-500E ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.5 | $4.50 |
| 10 | $3.95 | $39.50 |
| 100 | $3.4 | $340.00 |
| 500 | $2.95 | $1,475.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.55 | $2,550.00 |
ACPL-C790-500E Overview
An isolation amplifier is an active analog component that combines an input-side amplifier, an isolation barrier (typically optical), and an output-side amplifier in a single package. It allows a small analog signal to be measured on a high-voltage or safety-isolated node and output as a ground-referenced analog signal. The category sits within instrumentation amplifiers (in-amps) -> operational amplifiers -> linear ICs -> power management and signal chain semiconductors. Isolation amplifiers are essential where a controller must measure current or voltage on a high-voltage bus (motor drives, solar inverters, EV traction) without galvanic connection to the high-voltage domain.
Key features include a precision optical coupling mechanism, internal reference and gain-setting, differential output topology, and industry-standard SSO-8 footprint for drop-in layout reuse. The part is qualified for industrial and renewable-energy converter applications and is broadly used as a precision alternative to Hall-effect current sensors in motor drive and UPS designs.
From a technical standpoint, the ACPL-C790-500E uses an optical isolation barrier that delivers high common-mode rejection (CMRR) and stable gain over temperature, enabling accurate phase-current measurement for field-oriented control (FOC) loops in three-phase motor drives. Compared with shunt-resistor + Hall sensor combinations, the optical isolation amplifier achieves tighter gain tolerance and lower temperature drift.
Typical applications include motor-drive phase current sensing, solar inverter DC-bus and string-current monitoring, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) current measurement, EV charging station current sensing, and industrial servo amplifier analog front-ends.
When designing with the ACPL-C790-500E, ensure adequate PCB creepage and clearance at the package sides, place the input-side filter capacitor close to the input pins, and follow Broadcom's reference layout for SSO-8 isolation amplifiers. Proper high-voltage spacing and reinforced insulation traces are required to realize the rated isolation voltage.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives (including -Q1 and reel-packaging siblings), and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet alone, providing an SEO/GEO/AEO-optimized reference for engineers sourcing isolation amplifiers.
Drop-in alternatives for ACPL-C790-500E — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ACPL-C790-000E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ACPL-C79A-500E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ACPL-C79B-500E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ACPL-C790
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ACPL-C87B-000E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ACPL-C87A-500E
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ACPL-C790-500E Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Product Type | Isolation Amplifier |
| Number of Circuits | 1 |
| Output Type | Differential |
| Small-Signal Bandwidth | 200 kHz (typical) |
| Package / Case | 8-SO Stretched (SSO-8), 6.8 mm body |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (suffix -500E) |
| Series | ACPL-C79B / C79A / C790 |
ACPL-C790-500E Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VDD1 — Input-side supply voltage |
| Pin 2 | GND1 — Input-side ground |
| Pin 3 | IN+ — Differential input positive (input-side, isolated domain) |
| Pin 4 | IN- — Differential input negative (input-side, isolated domain) |
| Pin 5 | GND2 — Output-side ground (controller domain) |
| Pin 6 | VOUT- — Differential output negative |
| Pin 7 | VOUT+ — Differential output positive |
| Pin 8 | VDD2 — Output-side supply voltage |
Typical Applications
ACPL-C790-500E is suitable for 6 applications: Motor Drive Phase Current Sensing, Solar Inverter DC-Bus Current Sensing, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Current Measurement, EV Charging Station Current Sensing, Industrial Servo Amplifier Analog Front-End, Wind Power Converter Current Sensing.
Motor Drive Phase Current Sensing
The ACPL-C790-500E is widely used to sense phase currents in three-phase motor drives, supporting field-oriented control (FOC) and direct torque control algorithms. Its 200 kHz small-signal bandwidth is sufficient to track the fundamental current component of inverter switching at 10-20 kHz, while the differential output topology directly drives the ADC inputs of motor-control DSPs. The SSO-8 package with 6.8 mm stretched body provides the PCB creepage distance required for 600 V or higher DC bus systems commonly found in industrial motor drives. In a typical three-phase inverter, three ACPL-C790-500E devices measure the shunt-resistor voltage drops for the U, V, W phases, enabling precise current feedback for closed-loop torque and speed control. The isolation amplifier's high common-mode rejection (CMRR) rejects high dV/dt transients from the inverter's switching events, ensuring accurate current measurement even under harsh switching conditions.
Recommended
Solar Inverter DC-Bus Current Sensing
In solar inverter designs ranging from residential string inverters to utility-scale central inverters, the ACPL-C790-500E provides accurate DC-side and AC-side current sensing with reinforced isolation. The SSO-8 package's 6.8 mm body width ensures adequate creepage for 1000 V or 1500 V DC bus systems, meeting IEC 62109 safety requirements. Its 200 kHz bandwidth supports high-frequency inverter switching up to 50 kHz, enabling MPPT algorithms to track rapid power fluctuations from cloud transients. The isolation amplifier's differential output is well-suited for direct ADC interface with inverter control MCUs and DSPs, eliminating the need for external difference amplifiers. Compared with Hall-effect sensors, the ACPL-C790-500E provides tighter gain tolerance (typically 1-3%) and lower temperature drift, which is critical for accurate energy yield calculations over a 25-year inverter lifetime.
Recommended
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Current Measurement
The ACPL-C790-500E enables precision current sensing in on-line double-conversion UPS designs, where the isolation amplifier measures inverter output current for closed-loop control and protection. In a typical 5-20 kVA UPS, the ACPL-C790-500E provides isolated sensing of the inverter bridge output current, the battery current during charging/discharging cycles, and the bypass line current. The device's reinforced isolation rating (per IEC 60950 / IEC 62368) ensures safe operation in 230 V / 400 V AC systems. The differential output allows direct sampling by the UPS controller's ADC without external signal conditioning. The 200 kHz bandwidth supports high-frequency PWM inverters up to 20 kHz fundamental, ensuring accurate current feedback for fast overcurrent protection in less than 10 microseconds.
Recommended
EV Charging Station Current Sensing
The ACPL-C790-500E is used in AC and DC EV charging stations (EVSE) to measure charging current to electric vehicles, enabling accurate billing and control of charge profiles per IEC 61851 and ISO 15118. In DC fast chargers (50-350 kW), the isolation amplifier measures the DC output current between the charger and the vehicle's battery management system, while in AC Level 2 chargers it senses the AC line current. The SSO-8 package with 6.8 mm body provides the creepage distance required for 500 V DC fast charging systems and 240 V AC Level 2 charging. The isolation amplifier's high CMRR rejects the high-frequency switching noise from the charger's PFC and DC-DC stages, ensuring accurate current measurement for closed-loop control of charging current per the vehicle's requested profile. The differential output is well-suited for direct ADC sampling by the charger's MCU without external instrumentation amplifiers.
Recommended
Industrial Servo Amplifier Analog Front-End
In industrial servo amplifiers for machine tools, robotics, and CNC machinery, the ACPL-C790-500E provides the analog front-end for high-bandwidth servo current control. The device's 200 kHz bandwidth supports current-loop bandwidths of 5-10 kHz typical for high-performance servo drives, enabling precise torque control for demanding motion control applications. The SSO-8 stretched package accommodates the high DC bus voltages (300-800 V) used in industrial servo systems and provides adequate creepage for reinforced insulation per IEC 61800-5-1. The isolation amplifier's differential output interfaces directly with the servo DSP's ADC, eliminating external signal conditioning and reducing BOM cost. Its high common-mode rejection is critical for rejecting the high dV/dt transients from servo inverter PWM switching at 8-16 kHz.
Recommended
Wind Power Converter Current Sensing
In wind turbine converters (typically 1.5-10 MW), the ACPL-C790-500E provides accurate current sensing for the generator-side and grid-side converters. Its reinforced isolation meets IEC 62109 wind turbine safety standards, while the 200 kHz bandwidth supports the high-switching-frequency IGBT converters typically used in modern wind power systems. The differential output drives the converter controller's ADC directly, enabling precise active and reactive power control for grid synchronization. The device's temperature stability ensures consistent measurement across the wide operating temperature range encountered in wind turbine nacelles. The SSO-8 package with extended creepage accommodates the high DC bus voltages of full-scale wind converters (up to 690 V AC / 1100 V DC).
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ACPL-C790-500E — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ACPL-C790-000E | ACPL-C79A-500E | ACPL-C79B-500E | ACPL-C790 | ACPL-C87B-000E | ACPL-C87A-500E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SSO-8 (8-SO Stretched, 6.8 mm body) | SSO-8 (8-SO Stretched, 6.8 mm body) - same | SSO-8 (8-SO Stretched, 6.8 mm body) - same | SSO-8 (8-SO Stretched, 6.8 mm body) - same | 8-SOIC (0.268", 6.81 mm) - same | SSO-8 (8-SO Stretched) - same | SSO-8 (8-SO Stretched) - same |
| Brand | Broadcom | Broadcom - same | Broadcom - same | Broadcom - same | Broadcom - same | Broadcom - same | Broadcom - same |
| Output Type | Differential | Differential - same | Differential - same | Differential - same | Differential - same | Differential - same | Differential - same |
| Number of Circuits | 1 | 1 - same | 1 - same | 1 - same | 1 - same | 1 - same | 1 - same |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (-500E) | Tube (-000E) | Tape & Reel (-500E) | Tape & Reel (-500E) | Standard - alternate packaging | Tube (-000E) | Tape & Reel (-500E) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount | Surface Mount - same | Surface Mount - same | Surface Mount - same | Surface Mount - same | Surface Mount - same | Surface Mount - same |
| Family | ACPL-C79B/C79A/C790 | ACPL-C790 - same family | ACPL-C79A - same family | ACPL-C79B - same family | ACPL-C790 - same family | ACPL-C87B - related family | ACPL-C87A - related family |
Key Differentiators
- Standardized 6.8 mm stretched-body SSO-8 package (vs ACPL-C790-000E)
- Part of an established Broadcom isolation amplifier family (vs ACPL-C79A-500E)
- Tape-and-reel packaging for SMT assembly (vs ACPL-C87B-000E)
Design Notes
When laying out the ACPL-C790-500E, ensure minimum 5 mm of PCB creepage distance between the input-side pins (1-4) and the output-side pins (5-8) on the top layer, and 8 mm on the bottom layer. The stretched 6.8 mm SSO-8 body helps meet this requirement, but additional slotting or routing rules may be required for 600 V+ systems. Avoid placing any traces, vias, or copper pours under the package body that would reduce clearance. Refer to the Broadcom reference layout in datasheet AV02-2460EN for a proven implementation.
The ACPL-C790-500E requires separate supply voltages for the input-side (VDD1) and output-side (VDD2) domains. Decouple each supply pin with a 0.1 uF ceramic capacitor placed within 2-3 mm of the respective VDD pin, with an additional 10 uF bulk capacitor on each supply rail. The input-side supply should be derived from an isolated DC/DC converter or bootstrapped from the high-voltage domain. Insufficient decoupling can cause output oscillation and degraded CMRR performance.
Common design pitfalls with the ACPL-C790-500E include: omitting input-side filter capacitors which causes output noise and gain error; routing the differential input traces asymmetrically which degrades CMRR; placing the shunt resistor too far from the input pins which adds parasitic inductance; using undersized shunt resistors which reduces measurement dynamic range; and failing to provide adequate thermal relief on the high-current PCB traces near the package. The reference design in the Broadcom datasheet AV02-2460EN addresses all these pitfalls.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per DigiKey and Mouser product listings. Reach compliance confirmed per Broadcom product page. AEC-Q100 not applicable for isolation amplifier - see ACPL-C790-Q1 variants for automotive-grade options.
