Texas Instruments LM385Z-1.2/LFT3
- Part No.:
- LM385Z-1.2/LFT3
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Category:
- Voltage Reference
- Package:
- TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)
- Datasheet:
-
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3.pdf
- Description:
- IC VREF SHUNT -2.43%/+2.02% TO92
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,471
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Product details
Overview
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 from Texas Instruments is a micropower 2-terminal band-gap voltage reference delivering a precise 1.2 V output with ±20 mV (±1.67%) initial tolerance, 0.6 Ω dynamic impedance, and 30 ppm/°C average temperature coefficient over 0°C to 70°C. It operates from 20 μA to 20 mA, enabling use in battery-powered precision analog circuits such as portable meters and sensor signal conditioning.
For engineers reviewing the LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 datasheet, LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 pinout, LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 application, or LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 equivalent, key selection criteria include its TO-92 package, low quiescent current, tight initial accuracy, wide operating current range, and compatibility with capacitive loads up to 10 nF without instability.
Technical Context
The LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 implements a band-gap reference architecture using on-chip trimmed resistors and transistors to achieve stable 1.2 V output independent of supply variations. Its two-terminal configuration simplifies integration into bias networks and current-source topologies.
Designed for micropower operation, it maintains regulation across a 20 μA–20 mA load current range while exhibiting low wideband noise (120 μV rms, 10 Hz–10 kHz) and excellent long-term stability (20 ppm over 1000 hours). The device is rated for 0°C to 70°C ambient operation and features built-in ESD protection (2 kV HBM).
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Output Voltage | 1.2 V nominal; enables direct replacement of Zener diodes in low-voltage reference designs requiring tighter tolerance than discrete solutions. |
| Initial Tolerance | ±20 mV (±1.67%) at 25°C; ensures accurate calibration without external trimming in portable instrumentation. |
| Operating Current Range | 20 μA to 20 mA; supports ultra-low-power standby modes and higher-current precision ADC biasing within same device. |
| Dynamic Impedance | 0.6 Ω at 100 μA; minimizes output voltage shift under varying load conditions, critical for high-resolution data acquisition. |
| Temperature Coefficient | 30 ppm/°C (X suffix); guarantees ≤2.1 mV drift over full 0°C–70°C range, suitable for unregulated battery-powered systems. |
| Wideband Noise | 120 μV rms (10 Hz–10 kHz); preserves signal integrity in low-noise amplifier references and precision DAC buffers. |
| Long-Term Stability | 20 ppm over 1000 hours; reduces recalibration frequency in field-deployed measurement equipment. |
Pinout & Package
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is housed in a TO-92 plastic package (Package Drawing LP0003A), with 3 leads and a maximum height of 5.34 mm. Pin 1 is the cathode, Pin 2 is the anode, and Pin 3 is internally connected to the die attach pad - intended to be tied to Pin 2 or left floating per TI design guidance.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pin 1 | Cathode | Reference output node; connects to load or feedback network; reverse-biased during normal operation. |
| Pin 2 | Anode | Current input terminal; ties to supply rail or current source; defines operating current direction. |
| Pin 3 | Die Attach Pad (DAP) | Internally bonded to substrate; electrically connected to Pin 2; recommended to tie to Pin 2 for thermal and electrical stability. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Capacitive Load Tolerance | Stable with ≥10 nF output capacitance; eliminates need for external isolation resistors in noisy environments. |
| Micropower Operation | 20 μA minimum operating current; extends battery life in portable multimeters and handheld sensors beyond shelf life. |
| Tight Initial Accuracy | ±20 mV (±1.67%) at 25°C; reduces system-level calibration overhead in production test fixtures. |
| Low Dynamic Impedance | 0.6 Ω at 100 μA; maintains <1 mV output deviation under 1 mA load transients, critical for SAR ADC reference buffers. |
| Band-Gap Architecture | Transistor/resistor-only core; delivers inherent low noise and superior long-term drift vs. Zener-based references. |
Applications
| Portable Digital Multimeter | Precision Thermocouple Cold-Junction Compensation |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Battery-powered handheld DMM requiring stable 1.2 V reference for 16-bit ADC front-end. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Two-terminal voltage reference providing excitation and scaling for analog input channel. Use Value: Enables ±0.1% measurement accuracy over 0°C–70°C without active temperature compensation circuitry. |
Use Scenario: Embedded industrial temperature sensor using Type-K thermocouple with cold-junction compensation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Precision 1.2 V reference driving current source for RTD or thermistor in compensation bridge. Use Value: Delivers <2.1 mV total drift over operating range, meeting IEC 61511 functional safety requirements for Class B devices. |
| Low-Power Sensor Signal Conditioning | Micropower Data Logger Reference |
|
Use Scenario: Wireless environmental sensor node powered by coin-cell battery with 10-year target lifetime. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Bias reference for op-amp gain stage and ADC reference input in ultra-low-quiescent subsystem. Use Value: Draws only 20 μA minimum current, allowing continuous operation for >5 years on CR2032 cell at 100 μA avg system load. |
Use Scenario: Remote soil moisture logger sampling every 15 minutes using 12-bit SAR ADC. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Stable 1.2 V reference for ADC and analog comparator thresholds. Use Value: 20 ppm/1000 hr long-term stability ensures <0.02% reading drift over 5-year deployment without field recalibration. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar voltage reference applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| LM385BXZ-1.2/NOPB | Same TO-92 package, identical 1.2 V output, but ±1.5% (±18 mV) initial tolerance and 50 ppm/°C tempco (Y grade). | Suitable for cost-sensitive industrial controls where 0.5% system accuracy is acceptable. | Select LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 when ±1.67% initial tolerance and 30 ppm/°C stability are required; LM385BXZ-1.2/NOPB offers lower cost where looser specs suffice. |
| REF191GS-1.2 | 3-terminal SOT-23 device with enable pin, 1.2 V output, ±0.1% max initial error, and 25 ppm/°C tempco - higher precision but requires PCB layout changes. | Used in medical-grade portable analyzers needing shutdown control and sub-0.1% absolute accuracy. | Choose LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 for minimal footprint and two-terminal simplicity; REF191GS-1.2 only if enable functionality and tighter spec justify added complexity and cost. |
Compared with LM385BXZ-1.2/NOPB, LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 provides tighter initial tolerance and lower temperature drift for higher-accuracy metering; versus REF191GS-1.2, it sacrifices precision and enable control for zero-pin-count simplicity and lower BOM cost in space-constrained designs.
Availability
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for portable instrumentation, sensor signal conditioning, and micropower data loggers requiring stable component supply with consistent TO-92 packaging and RoHS-compliant sourcing.
Supply support for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 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 leader specializing in analog and embedded processing technologies, with over 90 years of innovation in precision analog ICs.
The LM385 series was designed specifically for micropower, two-terminal voltage reference applications in battery-operated and space-constrained systems where stability, low current, and ease of use are paramount.
FAQ
What is the operating temperature range for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3?
The LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is rated for operation from 0°C to 70°C ambient temperature. This commercial-grade specification aligns with its intended use in consumer and industrial portable electronics where extended temperature extremes are not required. Junction temperature must remain below 100°C under all operating conditions per TI's thermal characteristics documentation.
Does LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 require an external capacitor for stability?
No, LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 does not require an external capacitor for stability. Its internal design provides exceptional tolerance to capacitive loading - it remains stable with output capacitance up to 10 nF. This eliminates the need for series isolation resistors in most applications, simplifying layout and reducing component count in compact designs.
What is the minimum operating current for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3?
The minimum operating current for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is 20 μA. Below this threshold, the device may not maintain regulation or specified output voltage accuracy. This ultra-low minimum current enables multi-year operation from primary lithium or coin-cell batteries in always-on sensing nodes.
How is pin 3 used on the LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 TO-92 package?
Pin 3 on the LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is the die attach pad (DAP), internally connected to the substrate and electrically tied to Pin 2 (anode). Texas Instruments recommends connecting Pin 3 to Pin 2 for optimal thermal performance and electrical stability; leaving it floating is permissible but not advised for high-reliability applications.
Is LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 RoHS compliant and lead-free?
Yes, LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is RoHS compliant and lead-free. Per TI's Packaging Information, it carries "RoHS & Green" eco-plan status with lead finish specified as "Call TI", indicating Pb-free termination compatible with standard lead-free reflow profiles (Level-1 MSL rating). Full compliance documentation is available in TI's official package addendum.
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- Texas Instruments
- Package/Case:
- TO-226-3, TO-92-3 (TO-226AA)
- Series:
- -
- Packaging:
- Cut Tape (CT)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Reference Type:
- Shunt
- Output Type:
- Fixed
- Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed):
- 1.235V
- Voltage - Output (Max):
- -
- Current - Output:
- 20 mA
- Tolerance:
- -2.43%, +2.02%
- Temperature Coefficient:
- 150ppm/°C
- Noise - 0.1Hz to 10Hz:
- -
- Noise - 10Hz to 10kHz:
- 60µVrms
- Voltage - Input:
- -
- Current - Supply:
- -
- Current - Cathode:
- 15 µA
- Operating Temperature:
- 0°C ~ 70°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Mounting Type:
- Through Hole
- Supplier Device Package:
- TO-92-3
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 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 LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 reliable?
The price and inventory of LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3?
LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 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 LM385Z-1.2/LFT3?
For technical support, including LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 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 LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of LM385Z-1.2/LFT3?
All LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with LM385Z-1.2/LFT3, 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 LM385Z-1.2/LFT3 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for LM385Z-1.2/LFT3:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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