October 20, 2008
LM117/LM317A/LM317
3-Terminal Adjustable Regulator
General Description
The LM117 series of adjustable 3-terminal positive voltage
regulators is capable of supplying in excess of 1.5A over a
1.2V to 37V output range. They are exceptionally easy to use
and require only two external resistors to set the output volt-
age. Further, both line and load regulation are better than
standard fixed regulators. Also, the LM117 is packaged in
standard transistor packages which are easily mounted and
handled.
In addition to higher performance than fixed regulators, the
LM117 series offers full overload protection available only in
IC's. Included on the chip are current limit, thermal overload
protection and safe area protection. All overload protection
circuitry remains fully functional even if the adjustment termi-
nal is disconnected.
Normally, no capacitors are needed unless the device is sit-
uated more than 6 inches from the input filter capacitors in
which case an input bypass is needed. An optional output ca-
pacitor can be added to improve transient response. The
adjustment terminal can be bypassed to achieve very high
ripple rejection ratios which are difficult to achieve with stan-
dard 3-terminal regulators.
Besides replacing fixed regulators, the LM117 is useful in a
wide variety of other applications. Since the regulator is “float-
ing” and sees only the input-to-output differential voltage,
supplies of several hundred volts can be regulated as long as
the maximum input to output differential is not exceeded, i.e.,
avoid short-circuiting the output.
Also, it makes an especially simple adjustable switching reg-
ulator, a programmable output regulator, or by connecting a
fixed resistor between the adjustment pin and output, the
LM117 can be used as a precision current regulator. Supplies
with electronic shutdown can be achieved by clamping the
adjustment terminal to ground which programs the output to
1.2V wher most loads draw little current.
For applications requiring greater output current, see LM150
series (3A) and LM138 series (5A) data sheets. For the neg-
ative complement, see LM137 series data sheet.
Features
■ Guaranteed 1% output voltage tolerance (LM317A)
■ Guaranteed max. 0.01%/V line regulation (LM317A)
■ Guaranteed max. 0.3% load regulation (LM117)
■ Guaranteed 1.5A output current
■ Adjustable output down to 1.2V
■ Current limit constant with temperature
■ P+ Product Enhancement tested
■ 80 dB ripple rejection
■ Output is short-circuit protected
Typical Applications
1.2V–25V Adjustable Regulator
906301
Full output current not available at high input-output voltages
*Needed if device is more than 6 inches from filter capacitors.
?Optional—improves transient response. Output capacitors in the range
of 1μF to 1000μF of aluminum or tantalum electrolytic are commonly used
to provide improved output impedance and rejection of transients.
LM117/LM317A/LM317 Package Options
Part
Number Suffix Package
Output
Current
LM117, LM317 K TO-3 1.5A
LM317A, LM317 T TO-220 1.5A
LM317 S TO-263 1.5A
LM317A, LM317 EMP SOT-223 1.0A
LM117, LM317A, LM317 H TO-39 0.5A
LM117 E LCC 0.5A
LM317A, LM317 MDT TO-252 0.5A
SOT-223 vs. TO-252 (D-Pak)
Packages