The MC33346 is a monolithic lithium battery protection circuit that is designed to enhance the useful operating life of three or four cell rechargeable battery packs. Cell protection features consist of independently programmable charge and discharge limits for both voltage and current with a delayed current shutdown, cell voltage balancing with onchip balancing resistors, and virtually zero current sleepmode state when the cells are discharged. Additional features consists of a six wire microcontroller interface bus that can selectively provide a pulse output that represents the internal reference voltage, cell voltage, cell current and temperature, as well as control the states of four internal balancing and two external MOSFET switches. A microcontroller time reference output is available for gas gauge implementation. This protection circuit requires a minimum number of external components and is targeted for inclusion within the battery pack. The MC33346 is available in standard and low profile 24 lead surface mount packages.