REV. A
ADM1027
21
ADM1027
PWM3
2.2k
10k
3.3V
Q1
MMBT3904
3.3V
10
TACH3
Q2
MMBT2222
10
TACH4
12V
Q3
MMBT2222
Figure 20. Interfacing Two Fans in Parallel to the PWM3 Output Using Low Cost NPN Transistors
ADM1027
TACH4
10k
TYPICAL
3.3V
TACH
TACH3
10k
TYPICAL
3.3V
PWM3
10k
TYPICAL
3.3V
+V
Q1
NDT3055L
5V OR 12V
FAN
TACH
5V OR 12V
FAN
+V
Figure 21. Interfacing Two Fans in Parallel to the PWM3 Output Using a Single N-Channel MOSFET
Driving 2 Fans From PWM3
Note that the ADM1027 has four TACH inputs available for
fan speed measurement, but only three PWM drive outputs. If a
fourth fan is being used in the system, it should be driven from
the PWM3 output in parallel with the third fan. Figure 20
shows how to drive two fans in parallel using low cost NPN
transistors. Figure 21 is the equivalent circuit using the
NDT3055L MOSFET. Note that since the MOSFET can
handle up to 3.5 A, it is simply a matter of connecting another
fan directly in parallel with the first.
Care should be taken in designing drive circuits with transistors
and FETs to ensure that the PWM pins are not required to
source current, and that they sink less than the 8 mA max cur-
rent specified on the data sheet.
Rev. 3 | Page 21 of 56 | www.onsemi.com