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I have a circuit with an electronic load in parallel with an optocoupler and a low-side N-channel MOSFET connected to the circuit. The low-side N-channel MOSFET driver is supposed to source current through the electronic load when activated, shorting the connection between the electronic load, optocoupler, and low-side driver. This in turn activates the optocoupler circuitry to activate an enable signal on the output side of the optocoupler. The problem is that there is a voltage across the connection between the load, optocoupler, and low-side driver of 11.1V with the +12V supply's ground as reference. This leads me to believe that the low side driver is an open circuit and failing to source current, creating a loop of current through the optocoupler and electronic load, but failing to travel through the low-side driver to ground and complete the circuit. The optocoupler is an H11L1M from Onsemi and the electronic load FET is an IRFZ24N N-channel Power MOSFET. What could be causing the low-side driver to fail in sourcing current to the +12V ground to complete the circuit? Node voltages are labelled in diagram below to help in analysis if necessary.

Circuit Diagram

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    \$\begingroup\$ How is this "LS Driver" implemented? A single MOSFET or some IC? \$\endgroup\$
    – Tyassin
    Commented Jun 10 at 21:10
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    \$\begingroup\$ your post should use the term sinking, not sourcing ... high-side switch sources current ... low-side switch sinks current \$\endgroup\$
    – jsotola
    Commented Jun 10 at 21:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ Does your micro also have a ground connection to this circuit? \$\endgroup\$
    – Finbarr
    Commented Jun 10 at 22:19
  • \$\begingroup\$ The LS Driver is implemented with an IC, and the micro is connected to the +12V supply ground. Thanks for the correction about sinking current jsotola. \$\endgroup\$
    – zsch3000
    Commented Jun 11 at 14:10

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