ON Semiconductor

LM317

1.5 A Adjustable Output,

Positive Voltage Regulator
The LM317 is an adjustable 3terminal positive voltage regulator
capable of supplying in excess of 1.5 A over an output voltage range of
1.2 V to 37 V. This voltage regulator is exceptionally easy to use and
requires only two external resistors to set the output voltage. Further, it
employs internal current limiting, thermal shutdown and safe area
compensation, making it essentially blowout proof.
The LM317 serves a wide variety of applications including local, on
card regulation. This device can also be used to make a programmable
output regulator, or by connecting a fixed resistor between the
adjustment and output, the LM317 can be used as a precision current
regulator.
Output Current in Excess of 1.5 A
Output Adjustable between 1.2 V and 37 V
Internal Thermal Overload Protection
Internal Short Circuit Current Limiting Constant with Temperature
Output Transistor SafeArea Compensation
Floating Operation for High Voltage Applications
Available in Surface Mount D2PAK, and Standard 3Lead Transistor
Package
Eliminates Stocking many Fixed Voltages

Standard Application
Vin

SEMICONDUCTOR
TECHNICAL DATA

T SUFFIX
PLASTIC PACKAGE
CASE 221A
Heatsink surface
connected to Pin 2.

2
3

Pin 1. Adjust
2. Vout
3. Vin

R1
240

IAdj

Adjust

Cin*
0.1 F

D2T SUFFIX
PLASTIC PACKAGE
CASE 936
(D2PAK)

Vout

LM317

THREETERMINAL
ADJUSTABLE POSITIVE
VOLTAGE REGULATOR

2
3

Heatsink surface (shown as terminal 4 in

case outline drawing) is connected to Pin 2.

+ C **
O
1.0 F

R2

ORDERING INFORMATION
Device
LM317BD2T
**Cin is required if regulator is located an appreciable distance from power supply filter.
**CO is not needed for stability, however, it does improve transient response.

V out  1.25V 1

R2
R1


 I

R
Adj 2

LM317BT

Operating
Temperature Range
TJ = 40 to +125C

LM317D2T
LM317T

Package
Surface Mount
Insertion Mount
Surface Mount

TJ = 0 to +125C

Insertion Mount

Since IAdj is controlled to less than 100 A, the error associated with this term is
negligible in most applications.

Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, 2002

January, 2002 Rev. 3

Publication Order Number:

LM317/D

LM317
MAXIMUM RATINGS
Rating

Symbol

Value

Unit

VIVO

40

Vdc

PD
JA
JC

Internally Limited
65
5.0

W
C/W
C/W

PD
JA
JC

Internally Limited
70
5.0

W
C/W
C/W

Operating Junction Temperature Range

TJ

40 to +125

Storage Temperature Range

Tstg

65 to +150

InputOutput Voltage Differential

Power Dissipation
Case 221A
TA = +25C
Thermal Resistance, JunctiontoAmbient
Thermal Resistance, JunctiontoCase
Case 936 (D2PAK)
TA = +25C
Thermal Resistance, JunctiontoAmbient
Thermal Resistance, JunctiontoCase

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS (VIVO = 5.0 V; IO = 0.5 A for D2T and T packages; TJ = Tlow to Thigh [Note 1]; Imax and Pmax
[Note 2]; unless otherwise noted.)
Characteristics

Figure

Symbol

Min

Typ

Max

Unit

Line Regulation (Note 3), TA = +25C, 3.0 V VIVO 40 V

Regline

0.01

0.04

%/V

Load Regulation (Note 3), TA = +25C, 10 mA IO Imax

VO 5.0 V
VO 5.0 V

Regload

5.0
0.1

25
0.5

mV
% VO

Regtherm

0.03

0.07

% VO/W

IAdj

50

100

1, 2

IAdj

0.2

5.0

Reference Voltage, 3.0 V VIVO 40 V,

10 mA IO Imax, PD Pmax

Vref

1.2

1.25

1.3

Line Regulation (Note 3), 3.0 V VIVO 40 V

Regline

0.02

0.07

%V

Load Regulation (Note 3), 10 mA IO Imax

VO 5.0 V
VO 5.0 V

Regload

20
0.3

70
1.5

mV
% VO

Temperature Stability (Tlow TJ Thigh)

TS

0.7

% VO

Minimum Load Current to Maintain Regulation (VIVO = 40 V)

ILmin

3.5

10

mA

Maximum Output Current

VIVO 15 V, PD Pmax, T Package
VIVO = 40 V, PD Pmax, TA = +25C, T Package

Imax
1.5
0.15

2.2
0.4

0.003

66

65
80

0.3

1.0

%/1.0 k
Hrs.

RJC

5.0

C/W

Thermal Regulation, TA = +25C (Note 6), 20 ms Pulse

Adjustment Pin Current
Adjustment Pin Current Change, 2.5 V VIVO 40 V,
10 mA IL Imax, PD Pmax

RMS Noise, % of VO, TA = +25C, 10 Hz f 10 kHz

Ripple Rejection, VO = 10 V, f = 120 Hz (Note 4)

Without CAdj
CAdj = 10 F

LongTerm Stability, TJ = Thigh (Note 5), TA = +25C for

Endpoint Measurements

Thermal Resistance Junction to Case, T Package

RR

% VO
dB

NOTES: 1. Tlow to Thigh = 0 to +125C, for LM317T, D2T. Tlow to Thigh = 40 to +125C, for LM317BT, BD2T.
2. Imax = 1.5 A, Pmax = 20 W
3. Load and line regulation are specified at constant junction temperature. Changes in V O due to heating effects must be taken into account separately.
Pulse testing with low duty cycle is used.
4. CAdj, when used, is connected between the adjustment pin and ground.
5. Since LongTerm Stability cannot be measured on each device before shipment, this specification is an engineering estimate of average stability
from lot to lot.
6. Power dissipation within an IC voltage regulator produces a temperature gradient on the die, affecting individual IC components on the die. These
effects can be minimized by proper integrated circuit design and layout techniques. Thermal Regulation is the effect of these temperature gradients
on the output voltage and is expressed in percentage of output change per watt of power change in a specified time.

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LM317
Representative Schematic Diagram

31
0

310

230

Vin

5.6k

120

6.3V
170
6.7k

125k

12.4k

135

6.8k

30
pF

30
pF

160

12k
5.0pF
510

13k

200

6.3V

2.4k

105

12.5k

4.0

6.3V
190

3.6k 5.8k

110

5.1k

0.1
Vout
Adjust
This device contains 29 active transistors.

VCC
VIH
VIL

Vin
*Pulse testing required.
*1% Duty Cycle
*is suggested.

LineRegulation(%V) 

0.1 F

V |
OH OL
x100
|V |
OL

VOH
VOL

Vout

LM317
Adjust

Cin

|V

IAdj

R1

240
1%

CO

1.0 F

R2
1%

Figure 1. Line Regulation and IAdj/Line Test Circuit

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RL

LM317
VI

Vin

LM317

Vout

Adjust
Cin

0.1 F

IL
RL
(max Load)

240
1%

R1

CO

IAdj

VO (min Load)
VO (max Load)
RL
(min Load)

1.0 F

*Pulse testing required.

*1% Duty Cycle is suggested.

R2
1%

Load Regulation (% VO) =

Load Regulation (mV) = VO (min Load) - VO (max Load)

VO (min Load) - VO (max Load)

VO (min Load)

x 100

Figure 2. Load Regulation and IAdj/Load Test Circuit

Vin

Vout

LM317

IL

Adjust
VI
Cin

0.1 F

R1

IAdj

240
1%

Vref

RL
CO

1.0 F

VO

ISET
R2
1%
* Pulse testing required.
* 1% Duty Cycle is suggested.

To Calculate R2: Vout = ISET R2 + 1.250 V

To Calculate R2: Assume ISET = 5.25 mA

Figure 3. Standard Test Circuit

24 V
Vin

14 V
f = 120 Hz

Vout

LM317

Adjust
Cin

240
1%

R1

D1*
1N4002

0.1 F

CO

R2

1.65 k
1%

CAdj

RL
1.0 F

10 F

*D1 Discharges CAdj if output is shorted to Ground.

Figure 4. Ripple Rejection Test Circuit

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Vout = 10 V
VO

LM317

0.4
I out , OUTPUT CURRENT (A)

Vout, OUTPUT VOLTAGE CHANGE (%)

4.0

0.2
0

IL = 0.5 A

-0.2

IL = 1.5 A

-0.4
Vin = 15 V
Vout = 10 V

-0.6
-0.8
-1.0

-50

-25
0
25
50
75
100
TJ, JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (C)

125

3.0
TJ = 25C
2.0

1.0

150

150C
55C

10
20
30
Vin-Vout, INPUT-OUTPUT VOLTAGE DIFFERENTIAL (Vdc)

Figure 5. Load Regulation

40

Figure 6. Current Limit

V in-Vout, INPUT-OUTPUT VOLTAGE

DIFFERENTIAL (Vdc)

I Adj, ADJUSTMENT PIN CURRENT ( A)

3.0
70
65
60
55
50
45
40
35

-50

-25

25

50

75

100

125

150

IL = 1.5 A

2.5

1.0 A

2.0

500 mA
1.5

200 mA
20 mA

1.0

-50

-25

25

50

75

100

TJ, JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (C)

TJ, JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (C)

Figure 7. Adjustment Pin Current

Figure 8. Dropout Voltage

125

150

5.0

Vref, REFERENCE VOLTAGE (V)

IB, QUIESCENT CURRENT (mA)

1.26

1.25

1.24

1.23

1.22

Vout = 100 mV

4.5

TJ = -55C

4.0

+25C

3.5

+150C

3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5

-50

-25

0
25
50
75 100 125
TJ, JUNCTION TEMPERATURE (C)

150

Figure 9. Temperature Stability

10
20
30
40
Vin-Vout, INPUT-OUTPUT VOLTAGE DIFFERENTIAL (Vdc)

Figure 10. Minimum Operating Current

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LM317
100

Without CAdj

60
40
Vin - Vout = 5 V
IL = 500 mA
f = 120 Hz
TJ = 25C

20
0

5.0

10

15

20

25

30

Without CAdj

60
40
20

Vin = 15 V
Vout = 10 V
f = 120 Hz
TJ = 25C

0
0.01

0.1

1.0

10

IO, OUTPUT CURRENT (A)

Figure 11. Ripple Rejection versus Output Voltage

Figure 12. Ripple Rejection versus

Output Current

101
Z O, OUTPUT IMPEDANCE ()

IL = 500 mA
Vin = 15 V
Vout = 10 V
TJ = 25C

60
40
20

10

100

1.0 k 10 k

100 k

Without CAdj
10-2
CAdj = 10 F
10-3

1.0 M 10 M

10

100

1.0 k

10 k

100 k

f, FREQUENCY (Hz)

f, FREQUENCY (Hz)

Figure 13. Ripple Rejection versus Frequency

Figure 14. Output Impedance

1.5
1.0

CL = 1.0 F;
CAdj = 10 F

0.5
0

2.0
1.0
0

CL = 1.0 F;
CAdj = 10 F

-2.0

Vout = 10 V
IL = 50 mA
TJ = 25C

-1.0
-1.5
1.0

Vin

0.5
0

10

20

30

40

Vin = 15 V
Vout = 10 V
INL = 50 mA
TJ = 25C

CL = 0;
Without CAdj

-3.0

CL = 0;
Without CAdj

1.5
1.0

IL

0.5
0

10

20

30

t, TIME (s)

t, TIME (s)

Figure 15. Line Transient Response

Figure 16. Load Transient Response

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1.0 M

3.0

-1.0

-0.5

10-1

Vout , OUTPUT
VOLTAGE DEVIATION (V)

CAdj = 10 F
Without CAdj

Vin = 15 V
Vout = 10 V
IL = 500 mA
TJ = 25C

100

IL , LOAD
CURRENT (A)

RR, RIPPLE REJECTION (dB)

CAdj = 10 F

80

Vout, OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)

80

Vout , OUTPUT
VOLTAGE DEVIATION (V)

100

35

100

V in , INPUT
VOTLAGE CHANGE (V)

120

RR, RIPPLE REJECTION (dB)

RR, RIPPLE REJECTION (dB)

CAdj = 10 F
80

40

LM317
APPLICATIONS INFORMATION
Basic Circuit Operation

External Capacitors

The LM317 is a 3terminal floating regulator. In

operation, the LM317 develops and maintains a nominal
1.25 V reference (Vref) between its output and adjustment
terminals. This reference voltage is converted to a
programming current (IPROG) by R1 (see Figure 17), and this
constant current flows through R2 to ground.
The regulated output voltage is given by:

A 0.1 F disc or 1.0 F tantalum input bypass capacitor

(Cin) is recommended to reduce the sensitivity to input line
impedance.
The adjustment terminal may be bypassed to ground to
improve ripple rejection. This capacitor (CAdj) prevents
ripple from being amplified as the output voltage is
increased. A 10 F capacitor should improve ripple
rejection about 15 dB at 120 Hz in a 10 V application.
Although the LM317 is stable with no output capacitance,
like any feedback circuit, certain values of external
capacitance can cause excessive ringing. An output
capacitance (CO) in the form of a 1.0 F tantalum or 25 F
aluminum electrolytic capacitor on the output swamps this
effect and insures stability.

R
V out  V  1
2 
 I R 2
ref
Adj
R1

Since the current from the adjustment terminal (IAdj)

represents an error term in the equation, the LM317 was
designed to control IAdj to less than 100 A and keep it
constant. To do this, all quiescent operating current is
returned to the output terminal. This imposes the
requirement for a minimum load current. If the load current
is less than this minimum, the output voltage will rise.
Since the LM317 is a floating regulator, it is only the
voltage differential across the circuit which is important to
performance, and operation at high voltages with respect to
ground is possible.
Vin

LM317

Vout

Adjust

IAdj
Vref = 1.25 V Typical

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.
Figure 18 shows the LM317 with the recommended
protection diodes for output voltages in excess of 25 V or
high capacitance values (CO > 25 F, CAdj > 10 F). Diode
D1 prevents CO from discharging thru the IC during an input
short circuit. Diode D2 protects against capacitor CAdj
discharging through the IC during an output short circuit.
The combination of diodes D1 and D2 prevents CAdj from
discharging through the IC during an input short circuit.

Vout

+
Vref

Protection Diodes

R1
IPROG

R2

D1
Vout

1N4002
Vin

Figure 17. Basic Circuit Configuration

LM317
Cin

Load Regulation

The LM317 is capable of providing extremely good load

regulation, but a few precautions are needed to obtain
maximum performance. For best performance, the
programming resistor (R1) should be connected as close to
the regulator as possible to minimize line drops which
effectively appear in series with the reference, thereby
degrading regulation. The ground end of R2 can be returned
near the load ground to provide remote ground sensing and
improve load regulation.

Vout
R1

+
D2

Adjust

CO

1N4002
R2

CAdj

Figure 18. Voltage Regulator with Protection Diodes

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3.5
PD(max) for TA = +50C

JUNCTIONTOAIR ( C/W)

R JA, THERMAL RESISTANCE

80
70

3.0

Free Air
Mounted
Vertically

60

2.0 oz. Copper

L

Minimum
Size Pad

50

1.5

RJA
0

5.0

2.0

40
30

2.5

10
15
20
L, LENGTH OF COPPER (mm)

PD, MAXIMUM POWER DISSIPATION (W)

LM317

1.0
30

25

Figure 19. D2PAK Thermal Resistance and Maximum

Power Dissipation versus P.C.B. Copper Length

D6*
1N4002
Vin
32 V to 40 V

Vin1

Vout1 RSC

LM317
(1)

Vin2

240

0.1 F

D1
1N4001

Adjust 1
Current
Limit
Adjust
* Diodes D1 and D2 and transistor Q2 are added to
* allow adjustment of output voltage to 0 V.
* D6 protects both LM317's during an input short circuit.

1.0K

D2
1N4001

Adjust 2
5.0 k

Iout

Vout 2

LM317
(2)

Vout
D5
IN4001
+

Voltage
Adjust

1.0 F
Tantalum

10 F

1N4001

Q1
2N3822

D3
D4

-10 V

Q2
2N5640

Output Range:0 VO 25 V
Output Range:0 IO 1.5 A

IN4001

-10 V

Figure 20. Laboratory Power Supply with Adjustable Current Limit and Output Voltage

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LM317
+25 V

Vout

LM317

Vin

R1
1.25

Adjust

IOmax + IDSS

R2

Adjust

1.0 k

2N5640

Vref
IDDS

TTL
Control

Minimum Vout = 1.25 V

VSS*

* D1 protects the device during an input short circuit.

Figure 22. 5.0 V Electronic Shutdown Regulator

Vin

Vout

MPS2907

R1

Iout

1N4001
Adjust

50 k

Adjust

Vout
LM317

240

R2

MPS2222

720

Figure 21. Adjustable Current Limiter

LM317

+
1.0 F

120

D2
1N4001

VO < BVDSS + 1.25 V + VSS,

ILmin - IDSS < IO < 1.5 A.
As shown 0 < IO < 1.0 A.

Vin

Vout

LM317

D1
1N4001

R2

* To provide current limiting of IO to the system

* ground, the source of the FET must be tied to a
* negative voltage below - 1.25 V.
Vref

1N4002

Vin

100

R1 =

D1*

Iout

IAdj

 
V

ref 
 I 
Adj
R1
 1.25V
R1
10 mA Iout 1.5 A

I out 

10 F

Figure 23. Slow TurnOn Regulator

Figure 24. Current Regulator

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LM317
PACKAGE DIMENSIONS
T SUFFIX
PLASTIC PACKAGE
CASE 221A09
ISSUE AA

T
B

NOTES:
1. DIMENSIONING AND TOLERANCING PER ANSI
Y14.5M, 1982.
2. CONTROLLING DIMENSION: INCH.
3. DIMENSION Z DEFINES A ZONE WHERE ALL
BODY AND LEAD IRREGULARITIES ARE
ALLOWED.

SEATING
PLANE

F
T

DIM
A
B
C
D
F
G
H
J
K
L
N
Q
R
S
T
U
V
Z

Q
1 2 3

H
K
Z
L

G
D
N

INCHES
MIN
MAX
0.570
0.620
0.380
0.405
0.160
0.190
0.025
0.035
0.142
0.147
0.095
0.105
0.110
0.155
0.018
0.025
0.500
0.562
0.045
0.060
0.190
0.210
0.100
0.120
0.080
0.110
0.045
0.055
0.235
0.255
0.000
0.050
0.045
----0.080

MILLIMETERS
MIN
MAX
14.48
15.75
9.66
10.28
4.07
4.82
0.64
0.88
3.61
3.73
2.42
2.66
2.80
3.93
0.46
0.64
12.70
14.27
1.15
1.52
4.83
5.33
2.54
3.04
2.04
2.79
1.15
1.39
5.97
6.47
0.00
1.27
1.15
----2.04

D2T SUFFIX
PLASTIC PACKAGE
CASE 93603
(D2PAK)
ISSUE B

OPTIONAL
CHAMFER

TERMINAL 4

B
H
F

L
P

J
N

D
0.010 (0.254) M

T
G

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NOTES:
1. DIMENSIONING AND TOLERANCING PER ANSI
Y14.5M, 1982.
2. CONTROLLING DIMENSION: INCH.
3. TAB CONTOUR OPTIONAL WITHIN DIMENSIONS
A AND K.
4. DIMENSIONS U AND V ESTABLISH A MINIMUM
MOUNTING SURFACE FOR TERMINAL 4.
5. DIMENSIONS A AND B DO NOT INCLUDE MOLD
FLASH OR GATE PROTRUSIONS. MOLD FLASH
AND GATE PROTRUSIONS NOT TO EXCEED
0.025 (0.635) MAXIMUM.

DIM
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
N
P
R
S
U
V

INCHES
MIN
MAX
0.386
0.403
0.356
0.368
0.170
0.180
0.026
0.036
0.045
0.055
0.051 REF
0.100 BSC
0.539
0.579
0.125 MAX
0.050 REF
0.000
0.010
0.088
0.102
0.018
0.026
0.058
0.078
5
REF
0.116 REF
0.200 MIN
0.250 MIN

MILLIMETERS
MIN
MAX
9.804 10.236
9.042
9.347
4.318
4.572
0.660
0.914
1.143
1.397
1.295 REF
2.540 BSC
13.691 14.707
3.175 MAX
1.270 REF
0.000
0.254
2.235
2.591
0.457
0.660
1.473
1.981
5
REF
2.946 REF
5.080 MIN
6.350 MIN

LM317

Notes

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LM317

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LM317/D