EDATEC 40-pin I/O Protector for Pi 400

Description

The EDATEC 40-pin I/O Protector for Raspberry Pi 400 significantly enhances the reliability and safety of your development environment. A crucial feature is the integrated toggle switch, allowing users to independently control the +5V and +3.3V power supply to attached daughterboards. This eliminates the need to power down the Pi 400 when installing or removing expansion modules, preventing damage often associated with hot-plugging scenarios.

Beyond power control, this protector integrates advanced ESD immunity ICs on all 40 signals, effectively absorbing electrostatic discharge energy that could otherwise harm the Pi 400. Additionally, each GPIO signal is safeguarded by 33-ohm current limit resistors, preventing damage from accidental shorts between GPIOs or to power rails. The protector also includes an over-current limit circuit, capping draw at 2A for 5V and 1.5A for 3.3V, thus preventing the Pi 400’s internal PMU from shutting down the system due to excessive current draw from peripherals. Dual 220uF capacitors further stabilize the 5V and 3.3V power lines, ensuring clean and reliable power delivery. Power status is indicated by green and red LEDs for 3.3V and 5V respectively, blinking to warn of excessive power draw. A 40-pin ribbon cable with anti-reverse insertion ensures correct connection to the Pi 400, and a built-in 5×40-pin breadboard provides added utility for prototyping.