ZHCSYA6D May 1998 – May 2025 LM138 , LM338
PRODUCTION DATA
R1: Because the LM138 produces a typical 1.24 V potential between the OUTPUT and ADJUST pins, placing a 270-Ω resistor between them causes 4.6 mA to flow through R1 and R2.
R2: To achieve a 5-V output, the sum of the voltages across R1 and R2 must equal 5 V. Therefore, Vr2 must equal 3.76 V when 4.6 mA is flowing through it. R2 = Vr2 / I = 3.76 V / 4.6 mA = ~820 Ω.
CIN: 0.1 µF of input capacitance helps filter out unwanted noise, especially if the regulator is located far from the power supply filter capacitors.
COUT: The regulator is stable without any output capacitance, but adding a 1-µF capacitor improves the transient response.
CADJ: A 10-µF capacitor bypassing the ADJUST pin to ground improves the regulators ripple rejection.
D1: Protection diode D1 is recommended if COUT is used. The diode provides a low-impedance discharge path to prevent the capacitor from discharging into the output of the regulator (see the Protection Diodes section).
D2: Protection diode D2 is recommended if CADJ is used. The diode provides a low-impedance discharge path to prevent the capacitor from discharging into the output of the regulator (see the Protection Diodes section).
Table 7-1 lists the design parameters for this typical application.
| PARAMETER | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Feedback resistor 1 (R1) | 270 Ω |
| Feedback resistor 2 (R2) | 820 Ω |
| Input capacitor (CIN) | 0.1 µF |
| Output capacitor (COUT) | 1 µF |
| Adjust capacitor(CADJ) | 10 µF |