STMicroelectronics L7885CV

Overview

L7885CV from STMicroelectronics is a three-terminal positive linear voltage regulator delivering a fixed 8.5 V output with up to 1.5 A continuous current, thermal overload and short-circuit protection, and ±3% output voltage tolerance over temperature and load (C-grade). It operates with input voltages from 11 V to 26 V and is used for local regulation in industrial power supplies, embedded control modules, and sensor interface circuits requiring stable low-noise DC bias.

For engineers reviewing the L7885CV datasheet, L7885CV pinout, L7885CV application, or L7885CV equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage (2 V at 1 A), load regulation (≤160 mV over 5 mA–1.5 A), supply voltage rejection (56 dB at 120 Hz), quiescent current (8 mA), and thermal resistance (R_thJA = 50 °C/W in TO-220).

Technical Context

The L7885CV implements a monolithic PNP pass transistor architecture with internal current limiting, thermal shutdown, and safe operating area (SOA) protection-enabling robust operation without external foldback circuitry. Its feedback loop maintains regulation across line (VI = 11–26 V) and load (IO = 5 mA–1.5 A) variations while sustaining junction temperatures up to 125 °C.

Designed for fixed-output use, it requires only two external capacitors (CI = 0.33 µF, CO = 0.1 µF) for stability and ripple suppression. The device does not support adjustable output via external resistors and lacks enable or power-good signaling-functioning as a standalone drop-in regulator in legacy and cost-sensitive designs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Supplied in TO-220 package (3-pin, vertical mounting, metal tab connected to GND), with standard pin configuration: 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 LM340T-8.5 and MC7885CT, the L7885CV provides superior thermal robustness (150 °C storage), integrated SOA protection, and 6 dB higher supply ripple rejection-making it preferred for mission-critical 8.5 V regulation in thermally constrained or electrically noisy environments.

Availability

L7885CV is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLCs, automotive body control units, medical sensor interfaces, and point-of-sale terminals requiring stable component supply with long-term manufacturability and consistent parametric performance.

Supply support for L7885CV 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 fixed-output linear regulators designed for reliability-critical, cost-sensitive applications where simplicity, ruggedness, and proven field performance outweigh efficiency or feature density.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for stable 8.5 V output at 1.5 A?

The L7885CV requires a minimum input voltage of 10.5 V to maintain regulation at 1.5 A, based on its 2 V dropout specification. However, datasheet test conditions specify VI ≥ 11 V for full-load operation across temperature, and operation below 11 V risks loss of regulation during line or load transients-especially above 85 °C ambient.

Can L7885CV be used in parallel to increase output current?

No-L7885CV is not designed for parallel operation. Its output voltage tolerance (±3%) and thermal drift (-0.8 mV/°C) cause unequal current sharing, risking thermal runaway in one device. For >1.5 A, use a single higher-current regulator (e.g., L78H85) or switch to a DC/DC solution with current-sharing capability.

Does L7885CV require input and output capacitors, and what values are mandatory?

Yes: a 0.33 µF ceramic capacitor is mandatory at the input pin (within 1 cm), and a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor is mandatory at the output pin. These values ensure stability per ST's layout guidelines; omitting either causes oscillation or poor transient response. Electrolytic bulk capacitors may be added externally but do not replace these minimum ceramics.

Is L7885CV RoHS-compliant and halogen-free?

Yes-L7885CV is manufactured in STMicroelectronics' RoHS-compliant, lead-free, and halogen-free processes per EU Directive 2011/65/EU and IEC 61249-2-21. The TO-220 package uses matte tin plating, and material declarations confirm <900 ppm bromine and <900 ppm chlorine content.