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Home > Products > Integrated Circuits (ICs) > Power Management (PMIC) > Voltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators

STMicroelectronics L78M15ABV

Name: L78M15ABV
Brand: STMicroelectronics
SKU: L78M15ABV
Price: 2.40 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

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Part No.:: L78M15ABV

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Category:: Voltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators

Package:: TO-220-3

Datasheet:: L78M15ABV.pdf

Description:: IC REG LINEAR 15V 500MA TO220AB

Quantity:: RFQ Add To RFQ list

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Inventory:947

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Product details

Overview

L78M15ABV from STMicroelectronics is a three-terminal positive linear voltage regulator delivering a fixed 15 V output at up to 500 mA, featuring ±2 % output voltage tolerance, thermal overload protection, and short-circuit protection. It operates across –40 °C to +125 °C and is housed in a DPAK package, commonly used for local on-card regulation in industrial power supplies and embedded control modules.

For engineers reviewing the L78M15ABV datasheet, L78M15ABV pinout, L78M15ABV application, or L78M15ABV equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage (2 V), load regulation (≤150 mV over 5–200 mA), supply voltage rejection (54 dB at 120 Hz), and extended temperature range support - all critical for stable low-noise DC bias in motor drivers and sensor signal chains.

Technical Context

This regulator employs an internal NPN pass transistor with safe-area compensation, current limiting, and thermal shutdown circuitry - enabling robust operation without external protection components. Its SOA protection dynamically reduces short-circuit current as pass transistor V_CE increases, preventing second breakdown during fault conditions.

The device requires no external compensation for stability with standard input/output capacitors (0.33 µF input, 0.1 µF output). It supports adjustable configurations via external resistors but is optimized for fixed-voltage use, with output voltage drift of –1 mV/°C and 90 µV RMS output noise (10 Hz–100 kHz).

Key Specifications

Parameter	Value and Actual Design Meaning
Output Voltage	15 V ±2 % (14.7–15.3 V at 25 °C); ensures precise biasing for op-amps and analog sensors
Max Output Current	500 mA continuous; sufficient for powering microcontroller peripherals and small logic banks
Dropout Voltage	2 V at 25 °C; mandates minimum 17 V input for stable 15 V output under full load
Supply Voltage Rejection	54 dB at 120 Hz; suppresses ripple from unregulated AC/DC supplies feeding industrial equipment
Operating Temperature	–40 °C to +125 °C junction; validated for under-hood automotive ECUs and factory-floor PLCs
Quiescent Current	6 mA typical; enables low-power standby modes without significant battery drain
Load Regulation	≤150 mV (5–200 mA, 25 °C); maintains tight voltage control across dynamic digital loads

Pinout & Package

The L78M15ABV is supplied in a surface-mount DPAK (TO-252) package with exposed thermal pad, optimized for PCB heat dissipation in compact power rails. Thermal resistance junction-to-ambient is 100 °C/W (no heatsink), reduced to ≤30 °C/W with 1-in² 2-oz copper pour.

Pin/Terminal	Circuit Role	Design Meaning
Input (IN)	Unregulated DC input supply	Accepts 17.5–30 V DC; must be bypassed with ≥0.33 µF low-ESR capacitor near pin
Ground (GND)	Reference and return path	Low-impedance connection required; no separate sense pin - layout ground integrity directly affects regulation accuracy
Output (OUT)	Regulated 15 V supply	Delivers up to 500 mA; requires 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor at pin for high-frequency stability

Key Features

Feature	Design Value
Thermal overload protection	Automatic shutdown at T_J > ~165 °C; recovers autonomously after cooldown - eliminates need for external thermal cutoff
Short-circuit current limit	240 mA typical (35 V input); prevents damage during wiring faults or downstream component failure
SOA protection	Reduces peak short-circuit current as V_CE rises - avoids secondary breakdown in pass transistor during transient overloads
±2 % output tolerance	Tight initial accuracy over temperature and load - reduces need for post-regulation trimming in precision analog subsystems
Extended temperature grade (AB)	Specified from –40 °C to +125 °C - qualified for industrial automation and automotive body-control modules

Applications

Industrial Motor Control

Automotive Body Electronics

Use Scenario: Powering gate drivers and current-sense amplifiers in 24 V DC brushless motor controllers.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Local 15 V bias rail generator for isolated half-bridge drivers and analog front-ends.

Use Value: Stable 15 V output ensures consistent MOSFET gate drive strength and ADC reference accuracy despite input ripple from H-bridge switching.

Use Scenario: Supplying HVAC actuators, window lift ECUs, and door module microcontrollers in passenger vehicles.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary 15 V regulator for 16-bit MCU cores and LIN transceivers.

Use Value: –40 °C to +125 °C operation and built-in short-circuit protection meet OEM environmental and reliability requirements without added discrete protection.

Programmable Logic Controllers

Test & Measurement Equipment

Use Scenario: Providing auxiliary 15 V rail for analog I/O modules and isolated communication interfaces in modular PLC backplanes.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: On-module linear regulator for noise-sensitive DACs and isolation barrier supplies.

Use Value: 90 µV output noise and 54 dB SVR maintain signal integrity in 16-bit analog input channels under noisy factory EMI conditions.

Use Scenario: Generating clean 15 V bias for op-amp-based signal conditioning stages in portable multimeters and oscilloscope front-ends.

IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise analog supply regulator for precision instrumentation amplifiers.

Use Value: ±2 % tolerance and <1 mV/°C drift enable calibration stability across operating temperature ranges without active compensation.

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Alternative Part	Technical Difference	Application Difference	Selection Advice
LM78M15CDT/NOPB	±4 % output tolerance; 0 to +125 °C operating range (AC grade); higher quiescent current (8 mA)	Lacks extended temperature qualification; less suitable for under-hood or outdoor industrial use	Select when cost sensitivity outweighs precision and wide-temp needs; verify thermal design with higher R_thJA
MC78M15BDTRKG	±4 % tolerance; TO-252 package; 0 to +125 °C; lower SVR (50 dB)	Reduced ripple rejection and wider voltage tolerance limit use in noise-critical analog rails	Prefer for legacy designs using ON Semiconductor footprint; confirm noise margin with system-level testing

Compared with LM78M15CDT/NOPB and MC78M15BDTRKG, the L78M15ABV offers tighter output tolerance (±2 % vs. ±4 %), guaranteed operation down to –40 °C, and superior supply ripple rejection - making it the preferred choice for new industrial and automotive designs requiring long-term calibration stability and field reliability.

Availability

L78M15ABV is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial motor control, automotive body electronics, and programmable logic controller applications requiring stable component supply, long-lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for L78M15ABV 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 L78MxxA series belongs to ST's precision linear regulator product line, engineered specifically for robust local regulation in harsh environments - emphasizing thermal resilience, fault protection, and extended temperature performance over raw efficiency.

FAQ

What is the minimum input voltage required for stable 15 V output at 500 mA?

The L78M15ABV requires a minimum input voltage of 17 V to maintain regulation at full 500 mA load, based on its 2 V dropout voltage specification at 25 °C. At elevated temperatures or higher current, derating to 17.5 V is recommended to ensure margin against thermal foldback.

Can the L78M15ABV be used in parallel to increase output current?

No - the L78M15ABV lacks current-sharing capability and should not be paralleled. Its output voltage tolerance (±2 %) and thermal characteristics prevent balanced current division, risking thermal runaway in one device. Use a single higher-current regulator or a switching pre-regulator instead.

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

Yes - an input bypass capacitor is mandatory for stability, especially with long PCB traces or high-impedance sources. ST specifies a minimum 0.33 µF tantalum or low-ESR ceramic capacitor placed within 5 mm of the IN and GND pins; larger values (≥1 µF) improve transient response and ripple suppression.

Does the L78M15ABV require a heat sink in a DPAK package at 350 mA continuous load?

At 350 mA with 20 V input (5 V drop), power dissipation is ~1.75 W. With R_thJA = 100 °C/W, junction temperature rise would exceed 125 °C ambient - requiring either a 1-in² 2-oz copper thermal pad (reducing R_thJA to ~45 °C/W) or a small clip-on heatsink. Derating to 250 mA is advised without thermal enhancement.

L78M15ABV Specifications

Product attributes: Attribute value

Manufacturer:: STMicroelectronics

Series:: -

Package/Case:: TO-220-3

Packaging:: Tube

Product Status:: Obsolete

Output Configuration:: Positive

Output Type:: Fixed

Number of Regulators:: 1

Voltage - Input (Max):: 35V

Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):: 15V

Voltage - Output (Max):: -

Voltage Dropout (Max):: -

Current - Output:: 500mA

Current - Quiescent (Iq):: 6 mA

Current - Supply (Max):: -

PSRR:: 54dB (120Hz)

Control Features:: -

Protection Features:: Over Current, Over Temperature, Short Circuit

Operating Temperature:: -40°C ~ 125°C

Grade:: -

Qualification:: -

Mounting Type:: Through Hole

Supplier Device Package:: TO-220

L78M15ABV FAQ

1.How can I place an order for L78M15ABV through Aetrix?

Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for L78M15ABV 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 L78M15ABV reliable?

The price and inventory of L78M15ABV are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for L78M15ABV is usually 5 days.

3.What payment methods are accepted for L78M15ABV?

We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for L78M15ABV transactions.

Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.

4.How is shipping managed for L78M15ABV?

L78M15ABV orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.

Once your L78M15ABV 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 L78M15ABV?

For technical support, including L78M15ABV datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your L78M15ABV requirements.

6.How does Aetrix verify that L78M15ABV is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?

All L78M15ABV 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 L78M15ABV meets industry standards.

7.What is the process for return or replacement of L78M15ABV?

All L78M15ABV units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with L78M15ABV, 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 L78M15ABV part is unused and in its original packaging.

Return procedure for L78M15ABV:

1.Submit a request within 90 days.

2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.

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