LM117/LM317A/LM317 3-Terminal Adjustable Regulator

May 1997

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 voltage. 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 ICs. 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 terminal is disconnected. Normally, no capacitors are needed unless the device is situated more than 6 inches from the input filter capacitors in which case an input bypass is needed. An optional output capacitor 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 standard 3-terminal regulators. Besides replacing fixed regulators, the LM117 is useful in a wide variety of other applications. Since the regulator is floating 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 regulator, 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 where most loads draw little current. For applications requiring greater output current, see LM150 series (3A) and LM138 series (5A) data sheets. For the negative complement, see LM137 series data sheet.

Features
n n n n n n n n n 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

LM117 Series Packages and Power Capability

Part Number Suffix K H T E S
DS009063-1

Rated Package TO-3 TO-39 TO-220 LCC TO-263 Power Dissipation 20W 2W 20W 2W 4W

Design Load Current 1.5A 0.5A 1.5A 0.5A 1.5A

Full output current not available at high input-output voltages *Needed if device is more than 6 inches from filter capacitors. Optionalimproves transient response. Output capacitors in the range of 1 F to 1000 F of aluminum or tantalum electrolytic are commonly used to provide improved output impedance and rejection of transients.

1997 National Semiconductor Corporation

DS009063

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Absolute Maximum Ratings

(Note 1)

Operating Temperature Range

LM117 LM317A LM317 55C TJ +150C 40C TJ +125C 0C TJ +125C

If Military/Aerospace specified devices are required, please contact the National Semiconductor Sales Office/ Distributors for availability and specifications. Power Dissipation Internally Limited Input-Output Voltage Differential +40V, 0.3V Storage Temperature 65C to +150C Lead Temperature Metal Package (Soldering, 10 seconds) 300C Plastic Package (Soldering, 4 seconds) 260C ESD Tolerance (Note 5) 3 kV

Preconditioning
Thermal Limit Burn-In All Devices 100%

Electrical Characteristics
Parameter Reference Voltage

(Note 3) Specifications with standard type face are for TJ = 25C, and those with boldface type apply over full Operating Temperature Range. Unless otherwise specified, VIN VOUT = 5V, and IOUT = 10 mA. Conditions Min 3V (VIN VOUT) 40V, 10 mA IOUT IMAX, P PMAX 1.20 LM117 (Note 2) Typ 1.25 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.3 0.03 50 10 mA IOUT IMAX 3V (VIN VOUT) 40V TMIN TJ TMAX (VIN VOUT) = 40V (VIN VOUT) 15V K Package H, K Packages (VIN VOUT) = 40V K Package H, K Packages 1.5 0.5 0.3 0.15 2.2 0.8 0.4 0.2 0.003 65 66 80 0.3 2.3 12 35 140 1 3 15 3.4 1.8 A A A A % dB dB % C/W C/W C/W C/W C/W C/W 0.2 1 3.5 5 Max V 1.30 0.02 0.05 0.3 1 0.07 100 5 V %/V %/V % % %/W A A % mA Units

Line Regulation Load Regulation Thermal Regulation Adjustment Pin Current Adjustment Pin Current Change Temperature Stability Minimum Load Current Current Limit

3V (VIN VOUT) 40V (Note 4) 10 mA IOUT IMAX (Note 4) 20 ms Pulse

RMS Output Noise, % of VOUT Ripple Rejection Ratio

10 Hz f 10 kHz VOUT = 10V, f = 120 Hz, CADJ = 0 F VOUT = 10V, f = 120 Hz, CADJ = 10 F

Long-Term Stability Thermal Resistance, Junction-to-Case Thermal Resistance, Junctionto-Ambient (No Heat Sink)

TJ = 125C, 1000 hrs K Package H Package E Package K Package H Package E Package

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Electrical Characteristics (Note 3) Specifications with standard type face are for TJ = 25C, and those with boldface type apply over full Operating Temperature Range. Unless otherwise specified, VIN VOUT = 5V, and IOUT = 10 mA.
Parameter Reference Voltage 3V (VIN VOUT) 40V, 10 mA IOUT IMAX, P PMAX Line Regulation Load Regulation Thermal Regulation Adjustment Pin Current Adjustment Pin Current Change Temperature Stability Minimum Load Current Current Limit 10 mA IOUT IMAX 3V (VIN VOUT) 40V TMIN TJ TMAX (VIN VOUT) = 40V (VIN VOUT) 15V K, T, S Packages H Package (VIN VOUT) = 40V K, T, S Packages H Package RMS Output Noise, % of VOUT Ripple Rejection Ratio 10 Hz f 10 kHz VOUT = 10V, f = 120 Hz, CADJ = 0 F VOUT = 10V, f = 120 Hz, CADJ = 10 F Long-Term Stability Thermal Resistance, Junctionto-Case Thermal Resistance, Junctionto-Ambient (No Heat Sink) TJ = 125C, 1000 hrs K Package H Package T Package K Package H Package T Package S Package (Note 6) 12 4 35 140 50 50 15 5 66 0.15 0.075 0.4 0.2 0.003 65 80 0.3 1 66 0.15 0.075 0.4 0.2 0.003 65 80 0.3 2.3 12 4 35 140 50 50 1 3 15 A A % dB dB % C/W C/W C/W C/W C/W C/W C/W 1.5 0.5 2.2 0.8 3.4 1.8 1.5 0.5 2.2 0.8 3.4 1.8 A A 1 3.5 10 1 3.5 10 % mA 3V (VIN VOUT) 40V (Note 4) 10 mA IOUT IMAX (Note 4) 20 ms Pulse 0.005 0.01 0.1 0.3 0.04 50 0.2 0.01 0.02 0.5 1 0.07 100 5 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.3 0.04 50 0.2 0.04 0.07 0.5 1.5 0.07 100 5 %/V %/V % % %/W A A Conditions Min 1.238 1.225 LM317A Typ 1.250 1.250 Max 1.262 1.270 1.20 1.25 1.30 Min LM317 Typ Max V V Units

Note 1: Absolute Maximum Ratings indicate limits beyond which damage to the device may occur. Operating Ratings indicate conditions for which the device is intended to be functional, but do not guarantee specific performance limits. For guaranteed specifications and test conditions, see the Electrical Characteristics. The guaranteed specifications apply only for the test conditions listed. Note 2: Refer to RETS117H drawing for the LM117H, or the RETS117K for the LM117K military specifications. Note 3: Although power dissipation is internally limited, these specifications are applicable for maximum power dissipations of 2W for the TO-39 and 20W for the TO-3, TO-220, and TO-263. IMAX is 1.5A for the TO-3, TO-220, and TO-263 packages and 0.5A for the TO-39 package. All limits (i.e., the numbers in the Min. and Max. columns) are guaranteed to Nationals AOQL (Average Outgoing Quality Level). Note 4: Regulation is measured at a constant junction temperature, using pulse testing with a low duty cycle. Changes in output voltage due to heating effects are covered under the specifications for thermal regulation. Note 5: Human body model, 100 pF discharged through a 1.5 k resistor. Note 6: If the TO-263 package is used, the thermal resistance can be reduced by increasing the PC board copper area thermally connected to the package: Using 0.5 square inches of copper area. JA is 50C/W; with 1 square inch of copper area, JA is 37C/W; and with 1.6 or more square inches of copper area, JA is 32C/W.

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Typical Performance Characteristics

Output Capacitor = 0 F unless otherwise noted Load Regulation Current Limit Adjustment Current

DS009063-37

DS009063-38

DS009063-39

Dropout Voltage

Temperature Stability

Minimum Operating Current

DS009063-40

DS009063-41

DS009063-42

Ripple Rejection

Ripple Rejection

Ripple Rejection

DS009063-43

DS009063-44

DS009063-45

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Typical Performance Characteristics

Output Impedance

(Continued) Load Transient Response

Line Transient Response

DS009063-46

DS009063-47

DS009063-48

Application Hints
In operation, the LM117 develops a nominal 1.25V reference voltage, VREF, between the output and adjustment terminal. The reference voltage is impressed across program resistor R1 and, since the voltage is constant, a constant current I1 then flows through the output set resistor R2, giving an output voltage of

do not appreciably improve the ripple rejection at frequencies above 120 Hz. If the bypass capacitor is used, it is sometimes necessary to include protection diodes to prevent the capacitor from discharging through internal low current paths and damaging the device. In general, the best type of capacitors to use is solid tantalum. Solid tantalum capacitors have low impedance even at high frequencies. Depending upon capacitor construction, it takes about 25 F in aluminum electrolytic to equal 1 F solid tantalum at high frequencies. Ceramic capacitors are also good at high frequencies; but some types have a large decrease in capacitance at frequencies around 0.5 MHz. For this reason, 0.01 F disc may seem to work better than a 0.1 F disc as a bypass. Although the LM117 is stable with no output capacitors, like any feedback circuit, certain values of external capacitance can cause excessive ringing. This occurs with values between 500 pF and 5000 pF. A 1 F solid tantalum (or 25 F aluminum electrolytic) on the output swamps this effect and insures stability. Any increase of the load capacitance larger than 10 F will merely improve the loop stability and output impedance. Load Regulation The LM117 is capable of providing extremely good load regulation but a few precautions are needed to obtain maximum performance. The current set resistor connected between the adjustment terminal and the output terminal (usually 240) should be tied directly to the output (case) of the regulator rather than near the load. This eliminates line drops from appearing effectively in series with the reference and degrading regulation. For example, a 15V regulator with 0.05 resistance between the regulator and load will have a load regulation due to line resistance of 0.05 x IL. If the set resistor is connected near the load the effective line resistance will be 0.05 (1 + R2/R1) or in this case, 11.5 times worse.

DS009063-5

FIGURE 1. Since the 100 A current from the adjustment terminal represents an error term, the LM117 was designed to minimize IADJ and make it very constant with line and load changes. To do this, all quiescent operating current is returned to the output establishing a minimum load current requirement. If there is insufficient load on the output, the output will rise. External Capacitors An input bypass capacitor is recommended. A 0.1 F disc or 1 F solid tantalum on the input is suitable input bypassing for almost all applications. The device is more sensitive to the absence of input bypassing when adjustment or output capacitors are used but the above values will eliminate the possibility of problems. The adjustment terminal can be bypassed to ground on the LM117 to improve ripple rejection. This bypass capacitor prevents ripple from being amplified as the output voltage is increased. With a 10 F bypass capacitor 80 dB ripple rejection is obtainable at any output level. Increases over 10 F

Figure 2 shows the effect of resistance between the regulator and 240 set resistor.

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Application Hints

(Continued)

DS009063-6

FIGURE 2. Regulator with Line Resistance in Output Lead With the TO-3 package, it is easy to minimize the resistance from the case to the set resistor, by using two separate leads to the case. However, with the TO-39 package, care should be taken to minimize the wire length of the output lead. The ground of R2 can be returned near the ground of the load to provide remote ground sensing and improve load regulation.

Protection Diodes When external capacitors are used with any IC regulator it is sometimes necessary to add protection diodes to prevent the capacitors from discharging through low current points into the regulator. Most 10 F capacitors have low enough internal series resistance to deliver 20A spikes when shorted. Although the surge is short, there is enough energy to damage parts of the IC. When an output capacitor is connected to a regulator and the input is shorted, the output capacitor will discharge into the output of the regulator. The discharge current depends on the value of the capacitor, the output voltage of the regulator, and the rate of decrease of VIN. In the LM117, this discharge path is through a large junction that is able to sustain 15A surge with no problem. This is not true of other types of positive regulators. For output capacitors of 25 F or less, there is no need to use diodes. The bypass capacitor on the adjustment terminal can discharge through a low current junction. Discharge occurs when either the input or output is shorted. Internal to the LM117 is a 50 resistor which limits the peak discharge current. No protection is needed for output voltages of 25V or less and 10 F capacitance. Figure 3 shows an LM117 with protection diodes included for use with outputs greater than 25V and high values of output capacitance.

DS009063-7

D1 protects against C1 D2 protects against C2

FIGURE 3. Regulator with Protection Diodes

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Schematic Diagram

DS009063-8

Typical Applications
5V Logic Regulator with Electronic Shutdown* Slow Turn-On 15V Regulator

DS009063-3

DS009063-9

*Min. output 1.2V

Adjustable Regulator with Improved Ripple Rejection

High Stability 10V Regulator

DS009063-10

Solid tantalum

*Discharges C1 if output is shorted to ground

DS009063-11

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Typical Applications

(Continued) High Current Adjustable Regulator

DS009063-12

Optionalimproves ripple rejection Solid tantalum

*Minimum load current = 30 mA

0 to 30V Regulator

Power Follower

DS009063-13

DS009063-14

Full output current not available at high input-output voltages

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Typical Applications

(Continued) 5A Constant Voltage/Constant Current Regulator

DS009063-15

Solid tantalum

*Lights in constant current mode

1A Current Regulator

1.2V20V Regulator with Minimum Program Current

High Gain Amplifier

DS009063-16 DS009063-17

*Minimum load current 4 mA

DS009063-18

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Typical Applications

(Continued) Low Cost 3A Switching Regulator

DS009063-19

Solid tantalum

*CoreArnold A-254168-2 60 turns

4A Switching Regulator with Overload Protection

DS009063-20

Solid tantalum

*CoreArnold A-254168-2 60 turns

Precision Current Limiter

DS009063-21

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Typical Applications

(Continued) Tracking Preregulator

DS009063-22

Current Limited Voltage Regulator

DS009063-23

(Compared to LM117s higher current limit) At 50 mA output only 34 volt of drop occurs in R3 and R4

Adjusting Multiple On-Card Regulators with Single Control*

DS009063-24

*All outputs within 100 mV Minimum load10 mA

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Typical Applications

(Continued) AC Voltage Regulator

DS009063-25

12V Battery Charger

DS009063-26

Use of RS allows low charging rates with fully charged battery.

50 mA Constant Current Battery Charger

DS009063-27

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Typical Applications

(Continued) Adjustable 4A Regulator

DS009063-28

Current Limited 6V Charger

Digitally Selected Outputs

DS009063-29

*Sets peak current (0.6A for 1) **The 1000 F is recommended to filter out input transients

DS009063-2

*Sets maximum VOUT

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Connection Diagrams
(TO-3) Metal Can Package (TO-39) Metal Can Package (TO-220) Plastic Package

DS009063-31

CASE IS OUTPUT
DS009063-30

CASE IS OUTPUT

Bottom View Steel Package Order Number LM117K STEEL or LM317K STEEL See NS Package Number K02A Order Number LM117K/883 See NS Package Number K02C

Bottom View Order Number LM117H, LM117H/883, LM317AH or LM317H See NS Package Number H03A

DS009063-32

Front View Order Number LM317AT or LM317T See NS Package Number T03B (TO-263) Surface-Mount Package
DS009063-36

Ceramic Leadless Chip Carrier

DS009063-35

Top View

Side View Order Number LM317AS or LM317S See NS Package Number TS3B

DS009063-34

Top View Order Number LM117E/883 See NS Package Number E20A

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Physical Dimensions

inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted

Ceramic Leadless Chip Carrier Order Number LM117E/883 NS Package Number E20A

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Physical Dimensions

inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted (Continued)

(TO-39) Metal Can Package Order Number LM117H, LM117H/883, LM317AH or LM317H NS Package Number H03A

TO-3 Metal Can Package (K) Order Number LM117K STEEL, LM117K STEEL/883, or LM317K STEEL NS Package Number K02A

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Physical Dimensions

inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted (Continued)

TO-3 Metal Can Package (K) Mil-Aero Product Order Number LM117K/883 NS Package Number K02C

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Physical Dimensions

inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted (Continued)

(TO-220) Outline Drawing Order Number LM317AT or LM317T NS Package Number T03B

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LM117/LM317A/LM317 3-Terminal Adjustable Regulator

Physical Dimensions

inches (millimeters) unless otherwise noted (Continued)

Order Number LM317AS or LM317S NS Package Number TS3B

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