Microchip Released New Digital Power Monitors
The new PAC1761 and PAC1861 monitor families provide enhanced power tracking for 48V system architectures.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Microchip Technology has launched its PAC1761 and PAC1861 digital power monitor families designed to support modern 48V power architectures. The new hardware provides precise tracking of energy consumption to enable better system management and responsiveness.
Why it matters
As industries shift toward 48V power systems to boost efficiency, designers need sophisticated tools to track accumulated energy data. These monitors allow systems to react to energy usage dynamics in real-time, helping engineers optimize performance.
The PAC1761 is a 12-bit device, while the PAC1861 offers 16-bit resolution. Both units come in VDFN-8, VDFN-10, and MSOP-10 packages, with prices starting at $0.56 per unit for orders of 10,000.
The players
Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology is a leading provider of smart, connected, and secure embedded control solutions that serves thousands of customers across the industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The details
The devices feature programmable alerts for voltage, current, and power excursions, using accumulated energy thresholds to manage long-term system behavior. Engineers can utilize the $49.00 EV12R33A evaluation board to test these capabilities within their designs.
Timeline
Microchip Technology announced the new power monitor families on September 25, 2026.
The Tech Race
The rollout of these monitors marks a significant step in the broader industry transition toward 48V power architectures aimed at improving energy efficiency. By providing granular energy data, Microchip positions its components as essential upgrades over older power-tracking legacy systems.
Designers and engineers can integrate these monitors into new hardware to improve energy management and system efficiency. For the consumer, this could lead to more reliable electronics with better battery or power efficiency in future devices.
The takeaway
These components highlight how granular data collection at the circuit level is becoming mandatory for modern high-efficiency power design. Engineers should evaluate their existing monitoring thresholds to determine if an upgrade to higher-bit resolution could improve system responsiveness.
Further reading
For more on the current landscape of the chip industry, visit the Semiconductors section.
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