MCP1402T-E/OT vs STGAP2SICS: Gate Driver IC Component Comparison
Quick verdict
For simple low-side MOSFET or IGBT gate drive applications where isolation is not required and peak current demands are moderate (≤ 500mA), the MCP1402T-E/OT is the better choice due to its compact SOT-23 package and fast switching times. In contrast, the STGAP2SICS excels in isolated gate drive scenarios requiring very high peak currents (up to 4A) and reinforced galvanic isolation (5kVrms), making it suitable for high-voltage, safety-critical systems despite its larger footprint and slower propagation delays.
Spec comparison table
| Spec | MCP1402T-E/OT | STGAP2SICS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channel type | Single | Single | Equivalent |
| Current peak output source/sink | 500 mA source, 500 mA sink | 4 A source, 4 A sink | STGAP2SICS delivers 8x higher peak current, enabling faster switching of large MOSFET gates. |
| Driven configuration | Low-Side | Not specified (isolated) | MCP1402T-E/OT is low-side only; STGAP2SICS supports isolated drive, critical for high-voltage. |
| Gate type compatibility | IGBT, N- and P-Channel MOSFET | Not explicitly specified | MCP1402T-E/OT explicitly supports common transistor types; STGAP2SICS focuses on MOSFETs. |
| Input type | Non-Inverting | Not explicitly specified | MCP1402T-E/OT logic input polarity is non-inverting; STGAP2SICS input polarity not detailed. |
| Logic voltage VIH / VIL | VIH = 2.4 V, VIL = 0.8 V | Logic supply voltage min -0.3 V, max 6.5 V | MCP1402T-E/OT requires 2.4 V minimum high; STGAP2SICS logic supply range is wider for LV side. |
| Supply voltage (V) | 4.5 V to 18 V | 3 V to 5.5 V | MCP1402T-E/OT supports higher supply voltages, increasing flexibility in high-voltage rails. |
| Operating temperature range | -40°C to 150°C (TJ) | -40°C to 125°C | MCP1402T-E/OT supports wider temperature range; better for high-temp environments. |
| Rise time (typical) | 19 ns | 30 ns | MCP1402T-E/OT switches faster, beneficial for high-frequency or low-loss switching. |
| Fall time (typical) | 15 ns | 30 ns | MCP1402T-E/OT has faster fall time, reducing switching losses. |
| Propagation delay TPLH / TPHL (max) | Not specified | 90 ns / 90 ns | MCP1402T-E/OT likely faster, STGAP2SICS slower due to isolation and capacitive coupling. |
| Pulse width distortion (max) | Not specified | 20 ns | STGAP2SICS introduces some pulse width distortion, may affect precise timing control. |
| Common-mode transient immunity (CMTI) | Not specified | ≥ 100 V/ns | STGAP2SICS has high CMTI, critical for noisy, high-voltage isolation applications. |
| Isolation voltage | None | 5000 Vrms (typ 3.5 kV, max 6 kV peak) | STGAP2SICS provides reinforced isolation, mandatory for safety standards in power systems. |
| Package type | SOT-23-5 (SC-74A) | 8-SOIC (7.5 mm width) | MCP1402T-E/OT is smaller footprint, better for compact designs; STGAP2SICS is larger due to isolation. |
| Mounting type | Surface mount | Surface mount | Equivalent |
| Quiescent supply current (typical) | Not specified | 1.8 mA (quiescent), 550 µA (standby) | STGAP2SICS consumes more current; MCP1402T-E/OT data not given, likely lower. |
| Max power dissipation | Not specified | 3 W max | STGAP2SICS can handle higher power dissipation due to package and design. |
| Thermal resistance (typ) | Not specified | 120 °C/W | STGAP2SICS thermal resistance is moderate; MCP1402T-E/OT not specified but smaller package may have higher RθJA. |
| Input bias current (typ) | Not specified | 50 µA | STGAP2SICS input bias current is low; MCP1402T-E/OT data unavailable. |
| Short circuit current (typ) | Not specified | 4 A typ, 6 A max | STGAP2SICS supports robust short-circuit current capability, useful in protection scenarios. |
| Switching frequency (typ/max) | Not specified | 1 MHz | STGAP2SICS supports up to 1 MHz switching; MCP1402T-E/OT datasheet does not specify max freq. |
| Voltage forward drop (typ) | Not specified | Not specified | No comparison available. |
| Safety approvals | Not specified | UL approved | STGAP2SICS meets safety standards needed in isolated power applications. |
| Input to output propagation delay (typ) | Not specified | 75 ns | STGAP2SICS slower propagation due to isolation technology. |
| Undervoltage lockout (UVLO) | Not specified | Yes, ~15.5 V turn-on threshold | STGAP2SICS includes UVLO, protecting against undervoltage conditions; MCP1402T-E/OT does not specify. |
Design trade-offs
The fundamental difference between the MCP1402T-E/OT and STGAP2SICS is that the former is a straightforward, low-side, non-isolated gate driver, while the latter is an isolated capacitive-coupling driver designed for high-voltage isolation and much higher peak output currents (4A vs 0.5A). This has direct implications for layout complexity and system architecture.
The MCP1402T-E/OT’s SOT-23-5 package makes it ideal for compact, cost-sensitive designs where isolation is not required. It supports a wide supply voltage range (4.5–18 V), which aligns well with typical gate drive voltages for low-side MOSFET or IGBT stages in DC-DC converters or motor drives. Its fast switching times (rise/fall times ~15–19 ns) reduce switching losses and improve efficiency, especially at switching frequencies above 100 kHz. However, the peak current capability (500 mA) limits its suitability for driving large MOSFET gates with high gate charge or for applications requiring very fast switching edges.
STGAP2SICS’s key advantage is the high-voltage galvanic isolation (5 kVrms), which is mandatory in many industrial, medical, or automotive applications to meet safety and EMI standards. It provides a robust 4A peak output current, enabling rapid charging and discharging of large MOSFET gates, which reduces switching losses despite its slower rise/fall time (30 ns typical) compared to MCP1402T-E/OT. The isolation comes at the cost of a larger 8-SOIC package and increased propagation delay (~75 ns typical), which may limit switching frequency or require compensation in timing-critical applications.
Thermally, STGAP2SICS is designed to handle up to 3 W of power dissipation with a thermal resistance of about 120 °C/W, reflecting its larger size and robust design for industrial environments. MCP1402T-E/OT’s smaller package will have higher junction-to-ambient thermal resistance, constraining continuous output current and power dissipation.
The STGAP2SICS also incorporates undervoltage lockout with clear hysteresis, improving system reliability by preventing operation under insufficient supply voltage. MCP1402T-E/OT does not specify UVLO, placing more responsibility on the designer to ensure stable gate drive voltages.
From a cost perspective, MCP1402T-E/OT is likely less expensive due to simpler packaging and non-isolated architecture, suitable for mass-market consumer or low-voltage industrial applications. STGAP2SICS, with its isolation and safety approvals, targets niche, higher-value applications where isolation and robustness justify the higher cost and board area.
Use-case fit
Choose MCP1402T-E/OT when…
- Designing a low-side driver for a small to medium power MOSFET or IGBT in DC-DC converters or motor control without isolation requirements.
- Your design requires compact PCB footprint and minimal BOM cost; SOT-23-5 package minimizes board space.
- Operating voltages range between 4.5 V and 18 V, and you need fast switching times to reduce switching losses at switching frequencies >100 kHz.
- The peak gate drive current demand is moderate (≤ 500 mA), typical for low to mid gate charge MOSFETs.