STMicroelectronics L7812CV-DG
- Part No.:
- L7812CV-DG
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Package:
- TO-220-3
- Datasheet:
-
L7812CV-DG.pdf
- Description:
- IC REG LINEAR 12V 1.5A TO220
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:5,664
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Product details
Overview
L7812CV-DG from STMicroelectronics is a three-terminal positive fixed-voltage linear regulator delivering 12 V ±5% output at up to 1.5 A, featuring thermal overload protection, short-circuit protection, and safe operating area (SOA) protection. It operates with input voltages up to 35 V (for 12 V output), supports 0–125 °C junction temperature range, and is housed in TO-220 package for industrial power supply and local on-card regulation.
For engineers reviewing the L7812CV-DG datasheet, L7812CV-DG pinout, L7812CV-DG application, or L7812CV-DG equivalent, key selection considerations include dropout voltage (2 V @ 1 A), load regulation (≤240 mV), quiescent current (8 mA), output noise (75 µV/√Hz), and thermal resistance (RthJA = 50 °C/W).
Technical Context
This IC implements a monolithic series-pass linear regulation architecture with internal current limiting, thermal shutdown, and SOA protection-enabling robust operation without external protection circuitry. Its fixed 12 V output is trimmed during production to ±5% tolerance over temperature and load.
The device requires minimum 5 mA load current for regulation stability and uses standard input (CI = 0.33 µF) and output (CO = 0.1 µF) capacitors. Dropout voltage remains constant at 2 V across 1 A load and 25 °C junction temperature, independent of input voltage within rated range.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output voltage | 12 V ±5% (11.4–12.6 V) at IO = 5 mA to 1 A, VI = 14.5–25 V, TJ = 25 °C - ensures stable rail for 12 V logic and analog subsystems |
| Max output current | 1.5 A - supports medium-power loads such as microcontroller peripherals, sensors, and small actuators |
| Dropout voltage | 2 V @ 1 A, TJ = 25 °C - defines minimum VI–VO differential required to maintain regulation; dictates minimum input supply headroom |
| Quiescent current | 8 mA - sets no-load power loss; critical for standby efficiency in always-on systems |
| Supply voltage rejection | 55 dB @ 120 Hz, VI = 15–25 V - attenuates low-frequency ripple from unregulated DC supplies (e.g., rectified AC) |
| Output noise | 75 µV/√Hz (10 Hz–100 kHz) - limits induced jitter in sensitive analog circuits like ADC references or op-amp signal chains |
| Thermal resistance | RthJA = 50 °C/W (TO-220) - determines heatsink requirement: ~25 °C/W heatsink needed for 1 A continuous operation at 70 °C ambient |
Pinout & Package
Supplied in TO-220 package (3-pin, vertical mounting, metal tab connected to GND), with industry-standard pinout optimized for heat dissipation and PCB layout simplicity.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Input (Pin 1) | Unregulated DC supply input | Accepts 14.5–35 V DC; must be decoupled with ≥0.33 µF ceramic capacitor close to pin |
| Ground (Pin 2) | Common reference and heat sink connection | Electrically tied to metal tab; requires low-impedance PCB copper pour for thermal and noise performance |
| Output (Pin 3) | Regulated +12 V source | Delivers stable 12 V to load; requires ≥0.1 µF ceramic capacitor at pin for transient stability |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Thermal overload protection | Automatic shutdown at TJ > ~150 °C, with hysteresis for safe restart after cooldown - prevents permanent damage under sustained overload |
| Short-circuit current limit | 0.35 A typical (VI = 35 V, TJ = 25 °C) - constrains fault energy and enables safe recovery without external fusing |
| Safe operating area (SOA) protection | Integrated transistor-level current/voltage boundary enforcement - avoids second breakdown during transient overloads |
| Fixed output with no external components | 12 V output achieved via internal resistor network - eliminates trimming parts and simplifies BOM for cost-sensitive designs |
| Extended temperature operation | 0–125 °C junction range (C version) - qualified for industrial control, motor drives, and embedded power modules |
Applications
| Industrial PLC I/O Power | Automotive Body Control Module |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Local 12 V rail generation for digital I/O drivers, optocouplers, and level-shifting interfaces in programmable logic controllers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary local regulator supplying isolated 12 V to field-side circuitry, replacing centralized supply distribution. Use Value: Eliminates voltage drop and noise coupling from long PCB traces; improves noise immunity and channel-to-channel crosstalk margin by >20 dB. |
Use Scenario: Powering microcontroller peripherals (CAN transceivers, LIN drivers, sensor interfaces) in non-safety-critical automotive body electronics. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secondary regulated supply derived from vehicle battery (9–16 V), conditioned for ECU sub-systems requiring clean 12 V. Use Value: Withstands load dump transients up to 35 V input and maintains regulation during cold-crank dips down to 6 V input (with sufficient hold-up capacitance). |
| Consumer Audio Amplifier Bias | Test & Measurement Equipment |
|
Use Scenario: Generating dual-rail bias supplies (±12 V) using complementary L7812CV-DG and L7912CV-DG regulators in Class AB audio preamplifiers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Positive rail regulator providing low-noise, low-drift DC bias for op-amp stages and active filters. Use Value: 75 µV/√Hz output noise and –1 mV/°C drift ensure <0.001% THD+N in mid-band audio signals and minimal thermal drift in gain-setting networks. |
Use Scenario: On-board power conditioning for precision analog front-ends in benchtop multimeters and signal generators. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Local regulation stage isolating sensitive analog circuitry (ADC references, DAC buffers) from noisy digital supply domains. Use Value: 55 dB SVR suppresses switching noise from adjacent DC-DC converters; 240 mV load regulation ensures <0.2% output error across full 1.5 A dynamic load step. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fixed-voltage linear regulator applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM7812CDT/NOPB (TI) | Same 12 V output, TO-220 package, but higher quiescent current (6.5 mA typ vs. 8 mA), lower SVR (50 dB), and no guaranteed 1.5 A rating (1.2 A typical) | Lower noise sensitivity makes it suitable for less demanding analog rails; not recommended for high-temperature industrial environments (>85 °C ambient) | Select when cost is primary constraint and thermal derating margins exceed 30%; verify SOA behavior under repetitive short-circuit stress |
| MC7812BD2TR4G (onsemi) | 12 V ±2% tolerance (tighter than L7812CV-DG's ±5%), RthJA = 55 °C/W, and higher short-circuit current (0.5 A) | Better initial accuracy benefits calibration-critical systems; higher thermal resistance demands larger heatsink for same power dissipation | Prefer for metrology-grade instruments where output voltage accuracy dominates thermal design trade-offs |
Compared with LM7812CDT/NOPB, L7812CV-DG offers superior thermal robustness and higher guaranteed current, while MC7812BD2TR4G trades tighter initial tolerance for reduced thermal margin-making L7812CV-DG optimal for thermally constrained industrial applications needing proven 1.5 A capability.
Availability
L7812CV-DG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC I/O power, automotive body control modules, consumer audio amplifier bias, and test & measurement equipment requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.
Supply support for L7812CV-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, specializing in power management, microcontrollers, and automotive ICs, with manufacturing facilities across Europe and Asia.
L7812CV-DG belongs to the L78 positive voltage regulator IC family, designed for cost-effective, robust local regulation in industrial, automotive, and consumer power systems where simplicity, reliability, and thermal resilience are prioritized over ultra-low quiescent current or adjustable output.
FAQ
Can L7812CV-DG be used without a heatsink?
At ≤300 mA load and ≤40 °C ambient temperature, the TO-220 package can operate without an external heatsink due to its 50 °C/W junction-to-ambient thermal resistance. However, at 1 A continuous load, junction temperature exceeds 125 °C without heatsinking-even at 25 °C ambient-so a minimum 25 °C/W heatsink is required for full-rated operation.
What input capacitor value is required for stable operation?
A minimum 0.33 µF ceramic capacitor placed within 1 cm of the input pin is mandatory per the datasheet to prevent oscillation and improve transient response. For high-noise environments or long input traces, adding a 10–100 µF electrolytic capacitor in parallel reduces low-frequency ripple and enhances line regulation performance.
Does L7812CV-DG support reverse-input protection?
No. The device lacks internal reverse-polarity protection; applying negative voltage to the input pin relative to ground will cause irreversible damage. An external series diode (e.g., 1N5822) or ideal diode controller is required if reverse input conditions are possible in the system.
How does load regulation affect output voltage under dynamic current steps?
Load regulation is specified as ≤240 mV over 5 mA to 1.5 A at 25 °C. During fast load steps (e.g., 100 mA → 1 A in <1 µs), output sag may exceed this due to output capacitor ESR and regulator loop response time; adding a 10–47 µF low-ESR tantalum or polymer capacitor minimizes transient droop to <100 mV.
L7812CV-DG Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- TO-220-3
- Packaging:
- Tube
- Product Status:
- Active
- Output Configuration:
- Positive
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Number of Regulators:
- 1
- Voltage - Input (Max):
- 35V
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 12V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Voltage Dropout (Max):
- 2V @ 1A (Typ)
- Current - Output:
- 1.5A
- Current - Quiescent (Iq):
- 8 mA
- Current - Supply (Max):
- -
- PSRR:
- 55dB (120Hz)
- Control Features:
- -
- Protection Features:
- Over Temperature, Short Circuit
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 125°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-220
L7812CV-DG FAQ
1.How can I place an order for L7812CV-DG through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for L7812CV-DG 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 L7812CV-DG reliable?
The price and inventory of L7812CV-DG are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for L7812CV-DG is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for L7812CV-DG?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for L7812CV-DG transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for L7812CV-DG?
L7812CV-DG orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your L7812CV-DG 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 L7812CV-DG?
For technical support, including L7812CV-DG datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your L7812CV-DG requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that L7812CV-DG is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All L7812CV-DG 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 L7812CV-DG meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of L7812CV-DG?
All L7812CV-DG units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with L7812CV-DG, 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 L7812CV-DG part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for L7812CV-DG:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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