In many systems, it is required that the high-side switch provide diagnostic information about the downstream load. With more complex loads, high accuracy sensing is required. A few examples follow:
- Solenoid Protection: Often solenoids are precisely controlled by low-side switches. However, in a fault event, the low-side switch cannot disconnect the solenoid from the power supply. A high-side switch can be used to continuously monitor several solenoids. If the system current becomes higher than expected, the high-side switch can disable the module.