ZHCSYA6D May 1998 – May 2025 LM138 , LM338
PRODUCTION DATA
In operation, the LM138 develops a nominal 1.25-V 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 calculated with Equation 1.

Figure 7-1 Typical Application CircuitBecause the 50-µA current from the adjustment terminal represents an error term, the LM138 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 rises.