TLP590B(CF) - 7V Photovoltaic Optocoupler, 2500Vrms | Toshiba
MPN: TLP590B(CF) ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.36 | $1.36 |
| 10 | $1.22 | $12.20 |
| 100 | $1.08 | $108.00 |
| 500 | $0.96 | $480.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.85 | $850.00 |
TLP590B(CF) Overview
A photovoltaic optocoupler (also called a photovoltaic isolator or PV-output optocoupler) is a type of optoisolator whose output is a series-connected photodiode stack generating a small voltage when illuminated. Unlike phototransistor or phototriac optocouplers that produce a current output, a PV-output device produces a usable voltage that can float the gate of a MOSFET or IGBT. Within the broader isolator taxonomy, the TLP590B sits in the solid-state relay / gate-drive optocoupler family, alongside photorelays, gate-drive optos, and magnetic isolators - it is the simplest, lowest-cost way to bias a high-side or floating MOSFET switch.
Key features include a minimum 7 V open-circuit output voltage (sufficient to turn on standard-threshold MOSFETs), 12 uA typical short-circuit current, 2500 Vrms isolation rating, and a wide operating temperature range suitable for industrial environments. The CF tape-and-reel packaging option supports high-volume automated assembly. The GaAlAs infrared emitter features a typical forward voltage of 1.25 V at 10 mA IF and a reverse breakdown of 5 V minimum, and the package is UL-recognized under file E67349 with creepage and clearance designed to meet 5 mm reinforced insulation.
The internal photo-diode array uses series-connected photovoltaic cells, which produce an open-circuit voltage proportional to the number of cells stacked. Six series cells typically yield 7 V open-circuit and roughly 12 uA short-circuit under 20 mA drive current. Compared to a discrete approach with an LED and discrete booster circuit, the TLP590B integrates the PV array inside a single isolator barrier, reducing PCB area, BOM count, and design complexity for floating-switch gate-drive functions.
Typical applications include solid-state relay output stages (replacing electromechanical relays in industrial automation), battery management systems (galvanic isolation for high-side N-MOSFET switches), programmable logic controller (PLC) output modules, telecommunications line drivers, and MOSFET/IGBT gate drivers for floating or high-side configurations. The photovoltaic output allows direct gate biasing without secondary supply, simplifying low-power switching.
When designing with this device, ensure that the LED forward current is limited to the datasheet-recommended IF range (typically 10 to 20 mA) with an external resistor; the output can be shorted when the input is off, so no external discharge network is required for turn-off. Designers should also derate isolation voltage according to application safety standards such as IEC 60747-5-5 or UL 1577.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, package-level drop-in equivalents from the Toshiba photovoltaic-output family, and practical design guidance that consolidates the manufacturer's datasheet into an engineer-ready reference.
Drop-in alternatives for TLP590B(CF) — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with TLP590B(CF) (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Output Type, Package.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
TLP590B
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →TLP190B
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TLP590B
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$1.45 / Unit
View Datasheet →TLP590B(CF) Specifications
| Manufacturer | Toshiba |
| Product Type | Photovoltaic-output optocoupler |
| Output Type | Photovoltaic (series photo-diode array) |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Open-Circuit Voltage (VOC), min | 7 V |
| Short-Circuit Current (ISC), typ | 12 uA |
| Isolation Voltage (rms) | 2500 Vrms |
| Package | 6-DIP, 5 lead (cut) |
| Input LED Forward Voltage (VF) | 1.25 V typ at 10 mA IF |
| Input LED Reverse Breakdown Voltage | 5 V min |
| Mounting Type | Through-hole |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| UL Recognition | UL-recognized (file E67349) |
| Configuration | 1 channel, photovoltaic output |
TLP590B(CF) Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | Anode — LED anode (input side) |
| Pin 2 | Cathode — LED cathode (input side, connect to input-return) |
| Pin 3 | NC — Not connected internally |
| Pin 4 | PV+ — Photovoltaic output positive (anode of photo-diode array) |
| Pin 5 | PV- — Photovoltaic output negative (cathode of photo-diode array) |
| Pin 6 | NC — Not connected internally (lead cut on 5-lead option) |
Typical Applications
TLP590B(CF) is suitable for 6 applications: Solid-State Relay Output Stage, Battery Management System High-Side Switch, MOSFET / IGBT Gate Driver (Floating), Telecommunications Line Interface, Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Output Module, Medical Equipment Safety Isolation.
Solid-State Relay Output Stage
The TLP590B(CF) is a natural fit for solid-state relay (SSR) output stages that must replace electromechanical relays in industrial automation. The 7 V minimum open-circuit voltage floats the gate of a standard N-MOSFET, and the 12 uA short-circuit current establishes the turn-off discharge path when the input LED is de-energized. Galvaniic isolation at 2500 Vrms lets designers reuse the same control PCB across 24 V, 48 V, 110 V, and 240 V AC/DC load rails without redesigning insulation. Compared to a phototriac SSR, the PV-output variant creates a clean zero-crossing-free DC switching characteristic suited to resistive heating, solenoid, and motor-reversing loads.
Recommended
Battery Management System High-Side Switch
The TLP590B(CF) provides the galvanic barrier required between a low-voltage BMS MCU and a high-side N-MOSFET disconnect switch in lithium-ion traction or stationary battery packs. The 7 V VOC floats the gate above the source potential of the high-side MOSFET, and 2500 Vrms isolation handles the safety-critical isolation between the chassis and the battery stack. Designers use this part in 48 V mild-hybrid, 96 V e-scooter, and 400 V EV traction BMS modules where each cell monitor output must remain isolated from the MCU digital ground. The Cf tape-and-reel option supports high-volume automated assembly on BMS production lines.
Recommended
MOSFET / IGBT Gate Driver (Floating)
The TLP590B(CF) provides a fully isolated, bootstrap-free gate-drive path for floating or high-side MOSFET and IGBT switches. The PV output generates its own bias voltage, eliminating a secondary supply on the high-side; this simplifies half-bridge and full-bridge gate-driver circuits where a bootstrap diode or isolated DC-DC converter would otherwise be required. The 12 uA short-circuit output current suits low-frequency switching (audio, mains-frequency inverters, heater drivers); for higher switching frequencies, use a discrete buffer or a gate-driver transformer. Isolation at 2500 Vrms also meets the requirements of low-power motor-drive and photovoltaic inverter gate-driver front ends.
Recommended
Telecommunications Line Interface
The TLP590B(CF) is listed on the Toshiba datasheet under telecommunications applications, where it serves as an isolated control element between ground-referenced digital logic and floating line-side drivers. In DSL, ISDN, and legacy telephony line-interface cards, the optocoupler provides 2500 Vrms safety isolation for line test-bus multiplexing, ring-detection relay control, and CO line-feed switching. The photovoltaic output can directly drive the gates of P-MOSFET line-feed switches and ringing-signal relays in 48 V central-office systems. The AlGaAs emitter also supports wide-bandwidth logic-level inputs from 3.3 V MCU GPIO via a single external series resistor.
Recommended
Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Output Module
Inside PLC digital-output modules the TLP590B(CF) isolates the low-voltage logic backplane from the 24 V or 110 V field-side output drivers. Eight or sixteen channels per module use the part to bias high-side MOSFET or P-MOSFET output stages that switch solenoid valves, lamps, and small motor starters on factory-floor wiring. The 2500 Vrms isolation, UL recognition under file E67349, and wide operating temperature window align with industrial PLC certification requirements. Designers also value the part for its photo-voltaic-only output topology, which avoids triac-output dv/dt limitations on inductive loads.
Recommended
Medical Equipment Safety Isolation
Although the part carries reinforced-insulation isolation at 2500 Vrms, its lower isolation class relative to medical-grade 4 kV+ isolators places it in auxiliary monitoring and patient-isolated interface subsystems rather than direct patient-connected paths. The TLP590B(CF) is appropriate where the design target is 1 x MOPP (Means of Patient Protection) at 2500 Vrms test voltage, such as powering float-side gate drives in ultrasound board-level subsystems, or in bench-test medical equipment that requires functional isolation between analog signal chains and digital control. Always validate with your medical-compliance engineer against IEC 60601-1 requirements before relying on the 2500 Vrms figure for MOPP.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for TLP590B(CF) — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | TLP590B | TLP190B | TLP590B(TP,F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | 6-DIP, 5 lead | 6-DIP, 5 lead (same) | 6-DIP, 5 lead (same) | 6-DIP, 5 lead (same) |
| Brand | Toshiba | Toshiba (same) | Toshiba (same) | Toshiba (same) |
| Output Type | Photovoltaic (PV) | Photovoltaic (PV) - same | Photovoltaic (PV) - same | Photovoltaic (PV) - same |
| Open-Circuit Voltage (VOC), min | 7 V | 7 V | 8 V | 7 V |
| Short-Circuit Current (ISC), typ | 12 uA | 12 uA | 12 uA | 12 uA |
| Isolation Voltage | 2500 Vrms | 2500 Vrms | 2500 Vrms | 2500 Vrms |
| Lead Form / Reel Code | Cut lead (C), Tape & Reel (F) | No lead-form / reel code | No lead-form / reel code | Tape and reel (TP, F) |
| Number of Channels | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Packing Code (C,F) Suffix | Yes (Cut + Tape & Reel) | No (no suffix) | No (no suffix) | Yes (TP, F) |
Key Differentiators
- Identical die in 5-lead cut-form / tape-and-reel option pack (vs TLP590B)
- Higher open-circuit voltage (8 V vs 7 V) for high-Vth MOSFETs (vs TLP190B)
- Pure photovoltaic output, no triac dv/dt limitation (vs Phototriac-output optocouplers (e.g., MOC3041-class))
Design Notes
Drive the input LED through an external current-limiting resistor. The Toshiba datasheet specifies IF in the 10 to 20 mA range for typical operation. For a 5 V logic-level input, Rlimit = (VIN - VF) / IF = (5 V - 1.25 V) / 20 mA = 187.5 ohms (use 180 ohms standard value). Lower IF reduces output voltage; higher IF (above 25 mA) stresses the AlGaAs die.
Maintain creepage and clearance distances on the PCB between input-side and output-side copper. The Toshiba datasheet notes a minimum isolation clearance of 5 mm for 2500 Vrms reinforced insulation. Avoid running traces or copper pours directly under the package body. The cut-lead (C) option can affect lead spacing, so verify the mechanical drawing before finalizing via patterns.
Estimated: The 12 uA short-circuit current translates to a slow turn-off time for downstream MOSFETs with high gate charge (Qg > 20 nC). For applications switching faster than 1 kHz with large Qg MOSFETs, an external discrete buffer transistor or a faster PV-output optocoupler (such as Toshiba TLP3902) is required. Using the TLP590B(CF) without considering this can result in excessive switching loss and self-heating.
In high-noise industrial environments, add a small capacitor (10 to 100 pF) across the input LED to filter common-mode transients on the input side, and consider an RC snubber across the output photo-diode array to control dv/dt coupling. The output is essentially an open-circuit voltage source; loading with a resistor divider does not help turn-off and only wastes current. Use a bleed resistor only if you need a defined turn-off behavior.
Compliance Information
RoHS and REACH compliant per Toshiba product page. UL recognition under file E67349 per Toshiba datasheet. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - the part targets industrial and consumer applications, not automotive.
