The bq2438x family are charger front-end integrated circuits designed to provide protection to Li-ion batteries from failures of the charging circuitry. The IC continuously monitors the input voltage and the battery voltage. The device operates like a linear regulator, maintaining a 5.5-V (bq24380) or 5-V (bq24381) output with input voltages up to the Input overvoltage threshold. During input overvoltage conditions, the IC immediately turns off the internal pass FET disconnecting the charging circuitry from the damaging input source. Additionally, if the battery voltage rises to unsafe levels while charging, power is removed from the system. The IC checks for short-circuit or overload conditions at its output when turning the pass FET on, and if it finds unsafe conditions, it switches off, and then rechecks the conditions. Additionally, the IC also monitors its die temperature and switches off if it exceeds 140°C.

When the IC is controlled by a processor, the IC provides status information about fault conditions to the host.