# How do I make a discrete voltage detector?

I would like to design a circuit which has outputs LOW when the voltage it is connected to is below a threshold, like 3.3V.

There are some ic's you can buy to do this, but I would like to make my own so I can tweak the detection voltage for each specific application. From looking at the datasheets for these chips, it looks like they create a reference voltage and then use a comparator to compare the input to the reference, then that drives a transistor. Does that seem correct? Sorry if this is very simple, I am a noob :)

Thanks

Another example by ST: https://docs-emea.rs-online.com/webdocs/135f/0900766b8135f981.pdf

-Edit:

I don't need a very accurate device, the threshold voltage can vary quite a lot for my application. I found a voltage reference which is quite cheap and might be suitable, but I guess the reference voltage needs to be lower than the input voltage will ever be.

• What do you need in terms of accuracy, precision, repeatability between circuits, etc? Since you are looking for a discrete design, you either require reference ICs or else you go to some significant design (even then, likely unable to beat an IC without custom tweaks and calibration and re-calibration from time to time.) If you can accept some variation one circuit to another as well as over operating temperature ranges, then discrete and cheap and tweakable thresholds with hysteresis are all possible. – jonk Nov 18 '18 at 3:01
• @jonk I dont need very high accuracy, precision, or repeatability. For the 3.3V example, a max threshold voltage anywhere from 3.45V to 3.15V would be fine. I will definitely use a reference IC. I found a very cheap one here: lcsc.com/product-detail/Voltage-References_TL431_C181103.html – Eric Navarrete Nov 18 '18 at 3:17
• Yeah. I have buckets of TL431's. The variability of BJTs from the same family might be $\pm 20\:\text{mV}$ for their $V_\text{BE}$ (at the same temp.) Without compensation (not hard to add some) account for another $-1.8\text{ to }-2.4\:\frac{\text{mV}}{^\circ\text{C}}$ for operating temperature differences. But a crafty design can do a lot to minimize temperature variation. (It will look like a parabolic curve, which you can work to "flatten out" pretty well with a good design.) Your range is probably achievable with the TL431 without too much added work. Without it? Trickier. – jonk Nov 18 '18 at 3:40
• Oh. Two TL431's and you are more than golden. If you are willing to spend two on a simple circuit. See this TI paper for some ideas. – jonk Nov 18 '18 at 3:43
• Or you can look here, as well: schmitt trigger. – jonk Nov 18 '18 at 3:50