Texas Instruments LM385BXZ/NOPB
- Part No.:
- LM385BXZ/NOPB
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- Voltage Reference
- Package:
- TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)
- Datasheet:
-
LM385BXZ/NOPB.pdf
- Description:
- IC VREF SHUNT ADJ 1% TO92-3
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:1,893
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Product details
Overview
LM385BXZ/NOPB from Texas Instruments is a 3-terminal adjustable micropower band-gap voltage reference diode operating from 1.24 V to 5.30 V with 1% initial tolerance, 1 Ω dynamic impedance, and 30 ppm/°C max average temperature coefficient over 0°C to 70°C. It serves as a precision shunt reference in battery-powered meters, low-power regulators, and analog signal conditioning circuits.
For engineers reviewing the LM385BXZ/NOPB datasheet, LM385BXZ/NOPB pinout, LM385BXZ/NOPB application, or LM385BXZ/NOPB equivalent, key selection criteria include its TO-92 package, 10 μA to 20 mA operating current range, low noise (50 μVRMS at VREF), and compatibility with capacitive loading without instability.
Technical Context
The LM385BXZ/NOPB implements a band-gap reference core using only transistors and resistors-enabling low noise, excellent long-term stability, and no need for external compensation. Its feedback current is specified at ≤25 nA (max), supporting high-impedance setpoint networks.
It operates as a 2-terminal shunt device requiring an external resistor to set output voltage via the ADJ pin configuration; regulation is maintained across a wide 10 μA–20 mA cathode current range, with dynamic impedance held to ≤1 Ω at 100 μA.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Reference Voltage Range | 1.24 V to 5.30 V - externally adjustable via two-resistor divider on cathode and anode terminals |
| Initial Tolerance | ±1% - tight trimming enables precision calibration without post-manufacture adjustment |
| Dynamic Impedance | 1 Ω - ensures minimal output voltage shift under load transients up to 20 mA |
| Temp Coefficient | 30 ppm/°C (max) - supports stable operation across 0°C to 70°C industrial temperature range |
| Operating Current | 10 μA to 20 mA - ultra-low minimum current extends battery life; wide range allows use with high-value bias resistors |
| Output Noise | 50 μVRMS (10 Hz–10 kHz, VREF) - suitable for precision ADC references and low-noise analog front-ends |
| Feedback Current | 25 nA (max) - enables high-resistance voltage-setting networks without significant error |
Pinout & Package
LM385BXZ/NOPB is housed in a TO-92 package (LP drawing), 3-pin through-hole plastic case with straight or formed leads, 5.34 mm max height, and RoHS-compliant Cu-Sn lead finish.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Anode (Pin 1) | Reference return path | Connects to system ground or low-side of voltage divider; sets cathode-to-anode potential |
| Cathode (Pin 2) | Output/reference node | Delivers regulated voltage; connects to load and upper resistor of divider network |
| Adjust (Pin 3) | Band-gap control terminal | Internally connected to reference core; used with external resistor to set output voltage per VOUT = VREF(1 + R1/R2) |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Capacitive load tolerance | Stable with ≥100 nF output capacitance - eliminates need for isolation resistors in noisy environments |
| Micropower operation | 10 μA minimum operating current - enables multi-year battery life in portable instrumentation |
| Low dynamic impedance | 1 Ω at 100 μA - maintains regulation during fast load steps typical in data acquisition systems |
| Wide current range | 10 μA to 20 mA - supports both ultra-low-power sensor interfaces and higher-current shunt regulator designs |
| Long-term stability | 20 ppm (1000 hr, 25°C) - reduces recalibration frequency in field-deployed test equipment |
Applications
| Portable Multimeter Reference | Precision ADC Bias Network |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Used as the primary voltage reference in handheld digital multimeters requiring stable 3½-digit accuracy over battery discharge cycles. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Shunt reference providing 2.5 V or 5.0 V reference to SAR ADC and display driver circuitry. Use Value: 1% initial tolerance and 30 ppm/°C tempco ensure measurement drift remains below ±0.05% over 0°C–40°C operating range. | Use Scenario: Supplies reference voltage to 16-bit sigma-delta ADC in environmental sensor nodes powered by coin-cell batteries. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-noise, micropower shunt reference enabling high-resolution analog input scaling. Use Value: 50 μVRMS broadband noise and 10 μA min current allow >90 dB SNR without external filtering or power cycling. |
| Low-Power Shunt Regulator | Temperature-Compensated Sensor Excitation |
Use Scenario: Replaces Zener diodes in 3.3 V shunt regulators for IoT edge controllers where PCB space and quiescent current are constrained. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Adjustable shunt regulator setting precise rail voltage with minimal external components. Use Value: 1 Ω dynamic impedance and 20 mA max current support stable regulation even with 10% load step changes. | Use Scenario: Provides excitation voltage to RTD or thermistor bridges in industrial temperature transmitters with ambient temperature swings. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision voltage source compensating for sensor nonlinearity via ratiometric measurement. Use Value: 30 ppm/°C tempco matches typical platinum RTD drift, reducing system-level calibration burden. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar adjustable shunt reference applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| TLVH431ACDBVR | 2.5 V fixed reference; 0.5% tolerance; 0.2 Ω dynamic impedance; SOT-23-5 package | Not adjustable; requires different resistor network; lower quiescent current (80 μA typ) | Select when fixed 2.5 V output suffices and board space is critical |
| LM4040CIM3-ADJ/NOPB | Adjustable 1.235–10 V; 0.5% tolerance; 0.5 Ω impedance; SOIC-8 package | Higher max current (15 mA); wider voltage range; requires external op-amp for full adjustability | Select when tighter tolerance and extended voltage range justify larger footprint and added complexity |
Compared with LM385BXZ/NOPB, TLVH431ACDBVR offers superior impedance and smaller size but lacks adjustability, while LM4040CIM3-ADJ/NOPB provides better tolerance and broader range at the cost of higher minimum operating current and SOIC packaging.
Availability
LM385BXZ/NOPB is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable instrumentation, precision data acquisition, and low-power sensor interface applications requiring stable component supply across extended production lifecycles.
Supply support for LM385BXZ/NOPB 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
Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, delivering analog and embedded processing solutions for industrial, automotive, and personal electronics markets.
The LM385 series belongs to TI's precision voltage reference product line, designed specifically for micropower, low-drift shunt references in cost-sensitive, battery-operated, and space-constrained applications.
FAQ
What is the operating temperature range for LM385BXZ/NOPB?
The LM385BXZ/NOPB is rated for operation from 0°C to 70°C, matching the LM385 family specification. This commercial-grade range suits indoor industrial controls, consumer test equipment, and battery-powered portable devices-not extended-temperature or automotive applications. The device marking "BXZ" explicitly identifies this grade, and thermal derating is not required within this span.
Does LM385BXZ/NOPB require an external capacitor for stability?
No, LM385BXZ/NOPB does not require an external capacitor for stability. Its internal design tolerates capacitive loading up to at least 100 nF, as confirmed in the datasheet's "Features" section and Figure 14 (Dynamic Output Impedance). This eliminates the need for series isolation resistors in most applications, simplifying layout and improving transient response in battery-powered systems.
How is the output voltage adjusted on LM385BXZ/NOPB?
The output voltage of LM385BXZ/NOPB is adjusted using a two-resistor divider between cathode (Pin 2) and anode (Pin 1), with the adjust terminal (Pin 3) connected to the divider junction. The formula is VOUT = VREF(1 + R1/R2), where VREF = 1.24 V (min) to 1.27 V (max) for the BX grade. Resistor values must ensure cathode current stays within 10 μA–20 mA per the Electrical Characteristics table.
What is the maximum cathode current rating for LM385BXZ/NOPB?
The absolute maximum cathode current for LM385BXZ/NOPB is 20 mA, as defined in the "Electrical Characteristics" table under "Minimum Operating Current" (tested limit) and confirmed by the "Absolute Maximum Ratings" section listing Forward Current at 10 mA - however, the functional operating limit is 20 mA per the "Operating Current" specification. Exceeding 20 mA risks thermal overload and parametric shift, especially at elevated ambient temperatures.
Is LM385BXZ/NOPB RoHS compliant and lead-free?
Yes, LM385BXZ/NOPB is RoHS compliant and lead-free. Per TI's PACKAGE OPTION ADDENDUM, the "NOPB" suffix denotes Green (RoHS & no Sb/Br) compliance with CU SN (copper-tin) lead finish. It meets JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity Level-1 (unlimited floor life), and the TO-92 LP package is qualified for standard reflow profiles including vapor phase (215°C) and infrared (220°C).
LM385BXZ/NOPB Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Package/Case:
- TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Reference Type:
- Shunt
- Output Type:
- Adjustable
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 1.24V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- 5.3 V
- Current - Output:
- 20 mA
- Tolerance:
- ±1%
- Temperature Coefficient:
- 30ppm/°C
- Noise - 0.1Hz to 10Hz:
- -
- Noise - 10Hz to 10kHz:
- 50µVrms
- Voltage - Input:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Current - Cathode:
- 55 µA
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 70°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-92-3
LM385BXZ/NOPB FAQ
1.How can I place an order for LM385BXZ/NOPB through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for LM385BXZ/NOPB 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 LM385BXZ/NOPB reliable?
The price and inventory of LM385BXZ/NOPB are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for LM385BXZ/NOPB is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for LM385BXZ/NOPB?
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LM385BXZ/NOPB orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your LM385BXZ/NOPB 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 LM385BXZ/NOPB?
For technical support, including LM385BXZ/NOPB datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your LM385BXZ/NOPB requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that LM385BXZ/NOPB is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All LM385BXZ/NOPB 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 LM385BXZ/NOPB meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of LM385BXZ/NOPB?
All LM385BXZ/NOPB units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with LM385BXZ/NOPB, 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 LM385BXZ/NOPB part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for LM385BXZ/NOPB:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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