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I came across the following symbol in a datasheet (functional block diagram on page 8). What does it mean?

circuit symbol circle with horizontal line view 1

circuit symbol circle with horizontal line view 2

For future searchers, the symbol is a circle with a horizontal line (diameter) through it.

Does it just indicate that the current through the branch has a particular value? A current limit? Something else? Thanks.

stevenvh
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David
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1 Answers1

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It's a fixed current source (DIN 40700 style). With an arrow pointing to it an externally controlled current source. In this case it's a CCCS (Current Controlled Current Source), where the generated current is the controlling current divided by 500, resp. 1000, depending on the device.

Other common current source symbols include:

enter image description here

enter image description here

Controlled current sources may be indicated by:

enter image description here

or

enter image description here

stevenvh
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  • Thanks. I was familiar with the other two symbols, but not this one. I take it DIN 40700 is a German standard of some kind? – David Aug 22 '12 at 16:43
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    @David - Yes, "Deutsche Industrie Norm". Most DIN standards have been superseded by European standards ("ENxxxx"). If you look around you'll find more symbols for current sources, but I think these are the most common ones. *"The nice thing about standards is that you have so many to choose from."* -- Andrew S. Tanenbaum. – stevenvh Aug 22 '12 at 16:49