Author Topic: What does negative amperage mean in a datasheet?  (Read 1634 times)

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Offline MarkSTopic starter

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What does negative amperage mean in a datasheet?
« on: August 13, 2023, 09:08:14 pm »
I was looking through this datasheet. On page 5, on the VOH line, it shows an IOH range from -4.0 mA to -0.1 mA. What does this mean?
 

Online TimFox

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Re: What does negative amperage mean in a datasheet?
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2023, 09:15:58 pm »
It means that the pin sources that current, rather than sinking it.

Edit: fixed error on sources and sinks.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2023, 09:39:20 pm by TimFox »
 
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Online RoGeorge

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Re: What does negative amperage mean in a datasheet?
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2023, 09:22:49 pm »
It means the direction of the current flow relative to the pin.  When with minus, it means the current flows out of the pin in the direction from pin to GND, with plus it means the direction of the current is from the V+ into the pin.
 
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Offline wasedadoc

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Re: What does negative amperage mean in a datasheet?
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2023, 09:32:26 pm »
The above two answers state the opposite of each other.  One must be incorrect.  :(

(For anyone who wants to consult the linked datasheet, look at the page with 4 in the footer, not 5.)
« Last Edit: August 13, 2023, 09:36:44 pm by wasedadoc »
 
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Online TimFox

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Re: What does negative amperage mean in a datasheet?
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2023, 09:38:11 pm »
My bad: I exchanged source and sink.
The clue is looking at the voltages for the two current levels.
I have edited my response above.
The spec for Vol at a positive Iol is sinking current.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2023, 09:42:11 pm by TimFox »
 
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