Diodes Incorporated AP78L12VL-A

Overview

AP78L12VL-A from Diodes Incorporated is a fixed-output +12 V, 100 mA three-terminal positive linear voltage regulator in TO-92 package with ±5% output tolerance, internal thermal overload protection, and short-circuit current limiting. It delivers stable local regulation for logic supplies and consumer electronics where low quiescent current (3–5 mA) and dropout of ~2.0 V at 40 mA are critical.

For engineers reviewing the AP78L12VL-A datasheet, AP78L12VL-A pinout, AP78L12VL-A application, or AP78L12VL-A equivalent, this page provides verified functional identity, validated TO-92 pin mapping, confirmed 12 V/100 mA/±5% specs, and real-world use cases in CD-ROM, DVD-player, and set-top box power rails - all derived from Diodes DS31054 Rev. 10-2.

Technical Context

The AP78L12VL-A implements a monolithic series-pass transistor regulator architecture with built-in safe-area protection that reduces short-circuit current as pass-transistor voltage increases. Its thermal shutdown activates at 150 °C junction temperature, and internal current limiting caps peak output to 140 mA.

It operates over –20 °C to +125 °C ambient, requires minimum input voltage of 13.7 V for line regulation, and achieves 40–54 dB ripple rejection at 120 Hz with 15–25 V input range. Output noise is specified at 80 µV RMS (10 Hz–100 kHz).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AP78L12VL-A uses the industry-standard plastic TO-92 package (3-pin, through-hole), with lead-free finish per RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. Thermal resistance is 176 °C/W (junction-to-ambient, no heatsink, no airflow).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fixed-output linear regulator applications.

Compared with LM78L12ACZ, AP78L12VL-A offers lower quiescent current and tighter output tolerance; compared with MC78L12ACP, it shares identical pinout and performance but differs in RoHS compliance documentation and packaging marking format.

Availability

AP78L12VL-A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for CD-ROM drive power, DVD-player logic supply, and set-top box tuner module designs requiring stable component supply, RoHS compliance, and TO-92 through-hole assembly.

Supply support for AP78L12VL-A includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, headquartered in Plano, Texas, with design and manufacturing operations across Asia and the Americas.

The AP78LXX series was designed specifically for cost-sensitive, space-constrained consumer and computing applications requiring reliable fixed-voltage local regulation without external compensation components.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for AP78L12VL-A to maintain regulation?

The AP78L12VL-A requires a minimum input voltage of 13.7 V to sustain line regulation under typical conditions (IO = 40 mA, TA = 25 °C). This corresponds to a dropout voltage of approximately 1.7 V, rising to ~2.0 V at full 100 mA load per datasheet Figure 10.

Does AP78L12VL-A require input and output capacitors? If so, what values?

Yes: a 0.33 µF ceramic capacitor is required between VIN and GND if the regulator is located more than 3 inches from the main power supply filter; a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor is recommended between VOUT and GND to suppress high-frequency noise and ensure stability, per DS31054 Section "Typical Application Circuit".

Can AP78L12VL-A be used in surface-mount designs?

No - AP78L12VL-A is exclusively offered in the through-hole TO-92 package (suffix "V"). For surface-mount alternatives, Diodes offers AP78L12SG-13 (SO-8) and AP78L12YG-13 (SOT-89), both with identical electrical specifications but different footprints and thermal characteristics.

Is AP78L12VL-A qualified for automotive applications?

No - AP78L12VL-A is specified for industrial temperature range (–20 °C to +85 °C ambient) and lacks AEC-Q100 qualification, automotive-grade screening, or extended temperature support. It is intended for commercial and consumer electronics, not automotive ECUs or infotainment systems.