Simplifying Safe BLDC Motor Design with Holtek’s Integrated Motor Control SoCs

Introduction – Safety Simplified in BLDC Motor Design

From ceiling fans to washing machines and e-scooters, brushless DC motors (BLDC) power a vast number of everyday products. But with increasing performance and regulatory demands, engineers are under pressure to ensure safe and reliable operation, especially in consumer and appliance sectors.

To streamline this challenge, Holtek offers a wide range of BLDC motor control SoCs that combine drive logic, protection features, power devices and even MCU cores in a single package. Critically, many of these devices support UL60730 Class B compliance, a key requirement for functional safety in household appliances sold in Europe and North America.

In this article, we explore how Holtek’s BLDC motor solutions help engineers deliver robust and safety-certified motor control with fewer components, lower cost and less development overhead.

Features of Holtek BLDC SoCs Addressing the Challenge

Holtek’s BLDC product range spans from simple hall sensor motor drivers to fully integrated SoCs with embedded Flash, high-voltage gate drivers and built-in protections. These devices are ideal for designers looking to reduce system complexity while complying with safety standards such as UL60730.

Integrated Safety Mechanisms

Several Holtek BLDC controllers feature built-in motor protection functions, essential for preventing damage in real-world use:

• Overcurrent protection

• Lock rotor detection

• Over/under voltage protection

• Overtemperature shutdown

These safeguards are implemented in hardware and firmware to deliver fast, automatic responses to fault conditions, supporting continuous operation without user intervention.

UL60730 Class B Software Compliance

Many SoCs in the HT32F52xx and HT32F000x families include libraries and diagnostic features for UL60730 compliance, covering:

• RAM/Flash self-tests

• CPU register checks

• Clock frequency supervision

• Watchdog timers

This enables easier safety certification of end products like white goods, HVAC equipment and smart appliances especially where functional safety is required under EU and North American legislation.

All-in-One Motor Control Integration

Holtek’s BLDC SoCs combine:

• A 32-bit Arm® Cortex®-M0 or M0+ MCU

• 3-phase gate drivers or integrated MOSFETs

• Motor control peripherals (PWM, ADC, comparators)

• Optional sensorless control algorithms

• Embedded Flash (up to 64 KB) and SRAM

By consolidating control and drive functions, they reduce external BOM count, PCB space and development complexity. This is especially valuable for low-profile products such as ceiling fans, pump assemblies, or battery-powered appliances.

Flexible Design Options

Holtek offers SoCs tailored to:

• Sensorless or hall sensor-based designs

• Sinewave or trapezoidal motor control

• 120° or 180° commutation schemes

• Low-voltage DC or high-voltage AC input motors

This breadth allows engineers to pick the right level of integration and performance for applications ranging from entry-level fans to advanced variable-speed compressors.

Key Specifications – Holtek BLDC Motor Control SoCs

HT32F65232 / HT32F65240 – High-Integration BLDC SoC with UL60730 Support

Parameter	HT32F65232 / HT32F65240
Core	Arm Cortex-M0+ @ 60 MHz
Flash / SRAM	32 KB / 4 KB or 64 KB / 8 KB
Motor Control Features	3-phase PWM, Dead-time, ADC Trigger
Protection Functions	OCP, UVP, OVP, Lock Rotor, OTP
UL60730 Support	Yes (software library available)
Operating Voltage	2.5 V – 5.5 V
Operating Temperature	–40°C to +105°C
Package	LQFP48, QFN48

Applications and Use Cases – HT32F65232 in Safety-Focused Motor Designs

The HT32F65232 is a highly integrated motor control SoC that supports single-shunt sensorless field-oriented control (FOC), closed-loop startup and built-in protection features. With support for UL60730 functional safety, it is well suited to compact, mass-market appliances where motor safety, smooth operation and system reliability are essential.

Range Hoods

In modern kitchens, range hoods must manage airflow efficiently while remaining safe and quiet. The HT32F65232 supports sensorless FOC, providing smooth low-speed startup and airflow control without needing hall sensors. Its overcurrent and overtemperature protection helps prevent failures from grease build-up or airflow blockages.

Personal Grooming Devices

Compact motor-driven products like personal shavers and hair dryers benefit from the HT32F65232’s small footprint and integrated protections. Its ability to limit power, monitor speed and shut down cleanly under fault conditions is especially valuable in handheld devices exposed to dust, hair, and variable loads.

Video Gimbals and Handheld Stabilisation

Motor control precision is critical in camera gimbals used for handheld or drone-mounted stabilisation. The HT32F65232 provides high-resolution PWM and smooth torque delivery via sensorless FOC, while its UART interface supports control loop tuning and remote configuration. Built-in safety features ensure motors remain within controlled thermal and speed ranges during operation.

Home and Personal Fans

For small circulating fans, USB-powered devices, or air purifiers, the HT32F65232 delivers smooth motion, integrated safety shutdowns and cost-effective control in a single chip. The UL60730 support helps appliance manufacturers meet functional safety regulations in the EU and North America without external watchdogs or supervisory ICs.

General Appliance Integration

Across other categories — including toothbrush motors, humidifiers, exhaust fans, and lightweight robotics — Holtek’s HT32F65232 provides a dependable, space-saving solution. With built-in startup smoothing, closed-loop control, and self-diagnostics, it simplifies compliance and increases product robustness.

Conclusion – Integrated Safe BLDC Motor Control Design with the HT32F65232

Designing motor-driven products for household or personal use demands more than just smooth operation — it requires built-in protection, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective integration. Holtek’s HT32F65232 delivers on all fronts.

With sensorless FOC control, integrated protection features, and support for UL60730 safety certification, this single-chip solution allows engineers to build quieter, safer and more reliable motors for everything from range hoods to video gimbals and personal care appliances.

Its combination of a high-efficiency control core, hardware fault detection, and a compact package reduces development complexity while meeting the growing safety expectations of global appliance markets.

To request datasheets, samples or design support for your next motor-driven product, contact Ineltek today.