What do the terms low side driver and high side driver mean?

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The terms "low side driver" and "high side driver" refer to configurations in transistor circuits used for driving loads. A high side driver typically utilizes a PNP transistor, where the emitter connects to the positive power rail and the collector connects to the load, which is then connected to the negative power rail. Conversely, a low side driver employs an NPN transistor, with the load connected to the positive power rail and the emitter grounded. This configuration allows for effective control of the load through the respective transistor types.

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  • Concept of power rail connections in circuits
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What do the terms "low side driver" and "high side driver" mean?

Can anyone give me some information on what low side driver and high side driver mean?
 
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Low-side and high-side is sometimes used when speeking of transformer voltages.
 
Or in the context of transistors driving loads, a high side driver would normally be a PNP transistor, with the emitter connected to the + power rail, collector connected to the load (which then connects to the - power rail), and the base is pulled down to turn on the high-side PNP switch.

A low-side driver is just that upside-down. The load connects to the + power rail, and the NPN collector connects to the load. The emitter is grounded, and the base is driven up (supplied with a positive current) to turn on the NPN transistor.
 

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