Hi, mclute0!
An inrush would will be a problem too!
But how can I know for sure?
In series with my circuit, I connected an analogic amperemeter and, when I power the line, visually I cannot see spikes higher than the threshold stated in datasheet.
Are there a better method to analyze it?
Thanks!
I would say you need an oscilloscope to see the problem clearly; the inrush happens fast and is over quickly.
Without much information on what you are doing, I am just guessing. like doing sudoku.
The spark you see is because the manual switching method is not fast enough. The current jumps the air gap between the contacts before the contacts touch creating a transient. This is called a spark gap and it is how the first radio transmitters operated, so there is EMI; but, I doubt at your stated voltage it is damaging the IC.
I would say the basic idea of a load switch is to use an inline capacitor to absorb the initial transient charge into a capacitor instead of your chip and a parallel reverse biased diode to reduce parasitic capacitances.
A decoupling capacitor is the same idea. If the input voltage drops, then a decoupling capacitor will be able to provide enough power to an IC to keep the voltage stable.
If the voltage increases, then a decoupling capacitor will be able to absorb the excess energy trying to flow through to the IC, which again keeps the voltage stable.
It all depends on what your doing and why... I like to use packaged solutions to do most things, but that's just my way of reducing work.
A more complicated solution would be using a mosfet to switch power on and off...
An inline MOV (Metal Oxide Varistor) is another possible way to reduce transients.
or NTC thermistor.
A TVS diode alone would work, but I have found they eventually fail without a capacitor somewhere to take the transient charge.
I trust someone will correct me if I misstated something...