STMicroelectronics L7806ABV-DG

Overview

L7806ABV-DG from STMicroelectronics is a three-terminal positive fixed-voltage linear regulator delivering 6 V ±2 % output at up to 1.5 A, featuring thermal overload protection, short-circuit protection, and safe operating area (SOA) protection. It operates across –40 °C to +125 °C junction temperature and is housed in a TO-220FP package with integrated current limiting-commonly used for local on-card regulation in industrial power supplies and embedded control modules.

For engineers reviewing the L7806ABV-DG datasheet, L7806ABV-DG pinout, L7806ABV-DG application, or L7806ABV-DG equivalent, key selection considerations include its guaranteed extended temperature range (–40 °C to +125 °C), 2 V dropout voltage at 1 A, 65 dB supply voltage rejection at 120 Hz, and thermal resistance of 5 °C/W (junction-to-case) enabling robust operation under sustained load in thermally constrained designs.

Technical Context

The L7806ABV-DG implements a monolithic bipolar linear regulator architecture with internal bandgap reference, error amplifier, pass transistor, and protection circuitry. Its fixed 6 V output is trimmed during manufacturing to ±2 % tolerance at 25 °C and maintains stability over load (5 mA–1.5 A), line (8.6–25 V input), and temperature (–40 °C to +125 °C).

Protection functions are fully autonomous: thermal shutdown activates above ~165 °C junction temperature; short-circuit current is limited to 0.2 A continuous and 2.2 A peak; SOA protection prevents destructive second breakdown during transient overloads. No external components are required for basic regulation, though input (0.33 µF) and output (0.1 µF) capacitors are recommended per datasheet test conditions.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: TO-220FP (Full-Pak), 3-pin vertical mounting with insulated tab, compatible with standard TO-220 heatsinks and PCB through-hole assembly.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with LM7806CD2T, L7806ABV-DG offers guaranteed operation down to –40 °C and a more robust TO-220FP mechanical form factor; compared with MC7806BD2TR4, it delivers tighter 2 % output tolerance and lower quiescent current (4.3–6 mA vs. 8 mA), improving efficiency in battery-backed or low-power standby modes.

Availability

L7806ABV-DG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial power supplies, automotive body control modules, test equipment, and legacy instrumentation requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.

Supply support for L7806ABV-DG 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 L78 series belongs to ST's legacy linear regulator product line, engineered for ruggedness, ease of use, and broad compatibility in fixed-voltage local regulation applications-from factory automation to automotive sub-systems.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for stable 6 V output?

The L7806ABV-DG requires a minimum input voltage of 8.6 V under full 1 A load at 25 °C, based on its 2 V dropout specification. At light loads (<50 mA), input can be as low as 6.5 V, but design margin should maintain ≥3 V headroom to ensure regulation across temperature and line variations.

Can this regulator be used without input and output capacitors?

No-STMicroelectronics specifies mandatory use of a 0.33 µF input capacitor (ceramic or tantalum, within 10 cm of pins) and a 0.1 µF output capacitor (ceramic) to ensure stability and transient response. Omitting either risks oscillation, overshoot, or thermal shutdown during load steps.

How does the TO-220FP package differ from standard TO-220 in thermal performance?

The TO-220FP (Full-Pak) variant features an electrically insulated metal tab, enabling direct mounting to grounded heatsinks without isolation washers. Its junction-to-case thermal resistance is 5 °C/W-identical to standard TO-220-so thermal performance is equivalent when properly heatsunk, but with enhanced safety and assembly flexibility.

Is L7806ABV-DG RoHS compliant and halogen-free?

Yes-L7806ABV-DG is manufactured in accordance with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and is halogen-free per STMicroelectronics' specification document "ECOPACK® Definitions" (Doc ID 17137). The "DG" suffix explicitly denotes RoHS-compliant, lead-free, and halogen-free packaging.