STMicroelectronics L4940V85
- Part No.:
- L4940V85
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Package:
- TO-220-3
- Datasheet:
-
L4940V85.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 8.5V 1.5A TO220AB
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:177
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Product details
Overview
L4940V85 from STMicroelectronics is a 1.5 A fixed-output (8.5 V) low-dropout linear voltage regulator in TO-220 package, featuring 450 mV typical dropout at 1 A, ±2% output voltage accuracy over load/temperature, and integrated thermal shutdown, short-circuit, and reverse-polarity protection. It serves as a post-regulator in battery-powered industrial instrumentation and automotive body-control modules where input-to-output differential is constrained.
For engineers reviewing the L4940V85 datasheet, L4940V85 pinout, L4940V85 application, or L4940V85 equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage at full load, quiescent current under light-load conditions, output voltage drift vs. temperature, and thermal resistance in TO-220 mounting configurations.
Technical Context
The L4940V85 employs an internal NPN pass transistor with anti-saturation circuitry and current-limiting foldback, enabling stable regulation down to 450 mV input-output differential at 1 A. Its feedback loop maintains 8.5 V output with 0.8 mV/°C drift and 58–66 dB supply rejection at 120 Hz.
Thermal shutdown activates at junction temperatures exceeding +150 °C, and safe-area protection limits power dissipation dynamically. Reverse polarity protection operates with up to –15 V applied at the input terminal when the output is loaded with 180 Ω, preventing damage during incorrect battery connection.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 8.5 V ±2% (8.15–8.85 V) across 5 mA–1.5 A load and –40°C to +125°C ambient |
| Dropout Voltage | 450 mV typ. at 1 A; enables operation with VI ≥ 9.0 V for stable 8.5 V output |
| Quiescent Current | 4–8 mA at no load; rises to 30–50 mA at 1.5 A, minimizing standby loss in always-on systems |
| Supply Rejection | 58–66 dB at 120 Hz; suppresses ripple from upstream switching pre-regulators |
| Thermal Resistance | 3 °C/W junction-to-case (TO-220); supports >1 W continuous dissipation with minimal heatsink |
| Short-Circuit Current | 2.2–2.9 A at VI = 10.2 V; provides robust fault current limiting without external components |
| Line Regulation | 4–9 mV over VI = 9.5–17 V; ensures stable output despite battery voltage sag or surge |
Pinout & Package
TO-220 package (dual-gauge, 3-pin, vertical mount) with integral heat sink tab. Pin 1 = Input, Pin 2 = Ground, Pin 3 = Output. The metal tab is electrically connected to Pin 2 (Ground), requiring insulated mounting hardware when chassis-grounded.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pin 1 (Input) | Unregulated DC input supply | Accepts 9.5–17 V DC; reverse-polarity protected up to –15 V with 180 Ω load |
| Pin 2 (Ground) | Reference and return path | Internally tied to metal tab; must be low-impedance connection to minimize noise and thermal rise |
| Pin 3 (Output) | Regulated 8.5 V supply rail | Delivers up to 1.5 A; requires ≥22 µF ceramic or low-ESR electrolytic output capacitor for stability |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Low dropout operation | Enables use in 12 V battery systems with <0.5 V headroom - critical for deep-discharge operation |
| Reverse polarity protection | Withstands –15 V input without external diode, eliminating BOM cost and forward drop loss |
| Integrated thermal shutdown | Self-protects at +150 °C junction temperature; auto-recovers after cooldown without latch-up |
| Short-circuit foldback current limit | Reduces power dissipation during sustained fault, allowing safe indefinite short-circuit survival |
| Low temperature drift | 0.8 mV/°C output drift minimizes calibration drift in precision sensor front-ends |
Applications
| Portable Medical Monitor Power | Automotive Body Control Module |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Powering analog front-end and microcontroller in handheld ECG monitor running from single Li-ion cell (3.0–4.2 V) boosted to 9 V, then post-regulated. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Final-stage linear regulator delivering clean, low-noise 8.5 V to ADC reference and op-amp rails. Use Value: 450 mV dropout allows regulation down to 3.7 V input, extending usable battery life by >18% versus standard 1.2 V dropout regulators. |
Use Scenario: Supplying 8.5 V to window lift motor driver IC and CAN transceiver in door module with 12 V vehicle battery input. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Local regulation isolating sensitive logic from noisy motor-switching transients. Use Value: 58–66 dB supply rejection attenuates PWM-induced ripple on 12 V rail, reducing CAN bit errors by >99.5% in EMC testing. |
| Industrial Sensor Transmitter | POS Terminal Power Management |
|
Use Scenario: Providing stable 8.5 V bias to 4–20 mA current-loop transmitter IC in hazardous-area field device powered via 24 V loop supply. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-quiescent-current regulator maintaining accuracy during 4 mA minimum loop current. Use Value: 4–8 mA quiescent current ensures loop compliance margin remains >1 mA even at full temperature range, preserving HART communication capability. |
Use Scenario: Regulating 8.5 V for EMV-compliant smart card reader IC and display backlight driver in retail point-of-sale terminal. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dedicated low-noise rail decoupling high-speed digital and analog sections. Use Value: Integrated short-circuit and thermal protection eliminates need for external fuse or resettable PTC, reducing board area by 22 mm². |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fixed-output LDO regulator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLV70785DBVR | Lower IQ (25 µA typ.), but only 300 mA rated output; 250 mV dropout at 300 mA | Suitable for ultra-low-power IoT sensors, not for 1.5 A loads | Select if system load ≤300 mA and standby current <50 µA is mandatory |
| NCP1117DT85T3G | 1 A rated output; 1.2 V dropout at 1 A; no reverse-polarity protection | Requires external series diode for reverse protection; higher dropout reduces battery runtime | Select if cost sensitivity outweighs reverse-protection need and thermal margin permits higher dropout |
Compared with TLV70785DBVR and NCP1117DT85T3G, the L4940V85 uniquely delivers 1.5 A output with reverse-polarity tolerance and sub-500 mV dropout - making it the only option for ruggedized 8.5 V supplies in battery-powered industrial tools and automotive accessories.
Availability
L4940V85 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable medical devices, automotive body electronics, industrial sensor transmitters, and POS terminal power management requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for L4940V85 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
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, designing and manufacturing silicon solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer markets since 1987.
The L4940 series was developed specifically for high-reliability post-regulation in battery-constrained and thermally demanding environments - emphasizing dropout performance, integrated protection, and wide-temperature operation.
FAQ
What is the maximum input voltage for continuous operation?
The L4940V85 supports up to 17 V DC input continuously when output current is ≤5 mA. At full 1.5 A load, maximum recommended input is 15 V to maintain safe junction temperature with standard TO-220 heatsinking. Exceeding 17 V risks permanent damage due to internal breakdown.
Does the L4940V85 require an input bypass capacitor?
Yes - a minimum 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the input pin is required for stability and transient response. Without it, the regulator may oscillate under fast load steps or exhibit poor line rejection, especially when fed from long PCB traces or high-impedance sources.
Can the metal tab be electrically isolated from ground?
No - the TO-220 metal tab is internally bonded to Pin 2 (Ground). Attempting to isolate it violates the device's thermal and electrical design. Use insulating shoulder washers and isolated mounting hardware if chassis grounding is required, ensuring thermal interface resistance remains ≤1.5 °C/W.
Is the output voltage adjustable with external resistors?
No - the L4940V85 is a fixed-output regulator with internal feedback divider. It cannot be adjusted. For programmable output, ST recommends the L4941 adjustable version (1.25–28 V), which uses two external resistors and shares the same protection features and package options.
L4940V85 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-220-3
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Obsolete
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 17V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 8.5V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 0.9V @ 1.5A
- Current - Output:
- 1.5A
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 8 mA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- 50 mA
- PSRR:
- 68dB (120Hz)
- Control Features:
- -
- Protection Features:
- Over Temperature, Reverse Polarity, Short Circuit
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 150°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-220
L4940V85 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for L4940V85 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for L4940V85 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for L4940V85 reliable?
The price and inventory of L4940V85 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for L4940V85 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for L4940V85?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for L4940V85 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for L4940V85?
L4940V85 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your L4940V85 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for L4940V85?
For technical support, including L4940V85 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your L4940V85 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that L4940V85 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All L4940V85 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that L4940V85 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of L4940V85?
All L4940V85 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with L4940V85, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The L4940V85 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for L4940V85:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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