STMicroelectronics L7805ABV

Overview

L7805ABV from STMicroelectronics is a three-terminal positive linear voltage regulator delivering a fixed 5 V output with up to 1.5 A load current, ±2 % output voltage tolerance, thermal overload and short-circuit protection, and operation across –40 °C to +125 °C junction temperature-used for local regulation in industrial power supplies and embedded control modules.

For engineers reviewing the L7805ABV datasheet, L7805ABV pinout, L7805ABV application, or L7805ABV equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage (2 V at 1 A), line/load regulation (≤50 mV/100 mV), supply voltage rejection (68 dB), output noise (10 µV/√Hz), and TO-220FP package thermal resistance (R_thJC = 5 °C/W).

Technical Context

This monolithic IC integrates internal current limiting, safe operating area (SOA) protection, and thermal shutdown circuitry to ensure robust operation under fault conditions without external components. Its architecture relies on a PNP pass transistor with feedback-controlled reference and error amplifier, enabling stable DC regulation despite input ripple and load transients.

Designed for fixed-output use, it supports external adjustment via resistor networks but requires minimum 5 mA load current for regulation stability. Input voltage range is 7.5–25 V for 5 V output, with absolute maximum input rating of 35 V.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Supplied in TO-220FP package: insulated case, vertical mounting, 3-pin through-hole configuration with integrated heat sink tab. Pin 1 = Input, Pin 2 = Ground, Pin 3 = Output.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM7805CD2T, L7805ABV offers guaranteed operation down to –40 °C and superior thermal resistance in TO-220FP; versus MC7805BD2TR4, it trades slightly higher R_thJC (5 vs. 3 °C/W) for lower assembly cost and proven mechanical robustness in through-hole production.

Availability

L7805ABV is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC power supplies, automotive body control modules, medical sensor interfaces, and point-of-sale terminal power management requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for L7805ABV 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, specializing in power management, microcontrollers, and analog ICs for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The L78 series is ST's flagship family of three-terminal positive linear regulators, engineered for rugged local regulation in harsh environments where reliability, thermal resilience, and protection integrity are critical.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for stable 5 V output at 1.5 A?

The L7805ABV requires a minimum input voltage of 7.5 V under all operating conditions to maintain regulation at full 1.5 A load. This accounts for its 2 V dropout voltage and ensures sufficient headroom for line and load transients per datasheet Section 5 (Electrical Characteristics).

Can L7805ABV be used in parallel to increase output current?

No-L7805ABV is not designed for parallel operation. Its output voltage tolerance (±2 %) and lack of current-sharing features risk thermal runaway and uneven current division. For >1.5 A, use a single higher-current regulator or switch-mode solution instead.

Is an input bypass capacitor mandatory, and what value is recommended?

Yes-an input bypass capacitor is mandatory. STMicroelectronics specifies a minimum 0.33 µF ceramic capacitor placed as close as possible to the input pin (Pin 1) to suppress high-frequency noise and prevent oscillation. Larger values (e.g., 10 µF aluminum electrolytic) may be added in parallel for bulk energy storage.

Does L7805ABV require a heatsink for 1 A continuous operation at 25 °C ambient?

Yes-a heatsink is required. With R_thJA = 60 °C/W (TO-220FP), dissipating ~2 W (at 1 A × 2 V dropout) raises junction temperature by 120 °C above ambient. Even at 25 °C ambient, this exceeds the 125 °C limit. A heatsink reducing R_thJA to ≤25 °C/W is necessary for reliable 1 A operation.