STMicroelectronics L7815CV-DG

Overview

L7815CV-DG from STMicroelectronics is a three-terminal positive fixed-voltage linear regulator delivering 15 V ±2% 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 VO = 15 V), supports 0 to 125 °C junction temperature range, and is commonly used in industrial power supplies, local on-card regulation, and embedded system auxiliary rails.

For engineers reviewing the L7815CV-DG datasheet, L7815CV-DG pinout, L7815CV-DG application, or L7815CV-DG equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage (2 V @ 1 A), load regulation (≤100 mV over 5 mA–1 A), quiescent current (4.4–6 mA), supply voltage rejection (58 dB @ 120 Hz), and thermal resistance (R_thJA = 50 °C/W in TO-220).

Technical Context

This device 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 15 V output is trimmed during manufacturing to ±2% tolerance at 25 °C and maintains stability across IO = 5 mA to 1.5 A and VI = 17.5 V to 30 V.

Designed for local regulation, it eliminates single-point distribution losses and supports minimal external components: only 0.33 µF input and 0.1 µF output capacitors are required per test circuits. Dropout voltage remains constant at 2 V under full 1 A load at 25 °C, and output noise is specified at 10 µV/√Hz (10 Hz–100 kHz).

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Supplied in TO-220 package with standard 3-pin configuration: Input (Pin 1), Ground (Pin 2), Output (Pin 3). Mounting tab is electrically connected to Pin 2 (Ground).

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with L7815CV-DG, LM7815CDT/NOPB offers equivalent regulation but higher idle power draw, while MC7815BD2TR4 trades thermal efficiency for SMT compatibility-making the L7815CV-DG optimal for through-hole industrial designs requiring sustained 1 A output with minimal heatsink volume.

Availability

L7815CV-DG is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC power rails, automotive body control modules, test equipment auxiliary supplies, and legacy instrumentation requiring stable component supply and long-term obsolescence management.

Supply support for L7815CV-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 analog ICs with broad industrial and automotive qualification.

The L78 series is ST's flagship family of three-terminal positive linear regulators, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, high-reliability local regulation in harsh environments-emphasizing ruggedness, ease of use, and long-term availability.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for regulation with L7815CV-DG?

The minimum input voltage is 17.5 V under full-load conditions (IO = 1 A) to maintain regulation, based on the 2 V dropout specification. At lighter loads, input can be reduced slightly-but 17.5 V ensures compliance across the full operating temperature and load range per datasheet Table 16.

Can L7815CV-DG be used in parallel to increase output current?

No-L7815CV-DG is not designed for parallel operation. Its output voltage tolerance (±2%) and lack of current-sharing features cause unequal load division, risking thermal runaway. For >1.5 A, use a higher-current regulator or a switching solution instead.

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

Yes-an input capacitor is mandatory for stability and transient immunity. STMicroelectronics specifies a minimum 0.33 µF ceramic or tantalum capacitor placed within 1 cm of the input pin. Larger values (e.g., 10 µF aluminum electrolytic) are recommended for high-impedance or long-trace inputs to suppress low-frequency ripple.

Does L7815CV-DG require a heat sink for 1 A continuous operation?

Yes-continuous 1 A operation at ambient temperatures above 50 °C requires a heatsink. With R_thJA = 50 °C/W and power dissipation of (VI − 15 V) × 1 A, even at VI = 20 V (5 W dissipated), junction temperature rises ~250 °C above ambient without heatsinking-exceeding the 125 °C limit. A 10 °C/W heatsink reduces rise to ~60 °C, enabling safe operation.