Texas Instruments UA7815CKTER

Overview

UA7815CKTER from Texas Instruments is a fixed +15 V, 1.5 A positive linear voltage regulator in the µA78xx family, designed for on-card regulation to eliminate noise and distribution issues associated with single-point supplies. It features internal thermal-overload protection, short-circuit current limiting, safe-area compensation, and operates across 0°C to 125°C with input voltage range 17.5 V to 30 V.

For engineers reviewing the UA7815CKTER datasheet, UA7815CKTER pinout, UA7815CKTER application, or UA7815CKTER equivalent, key selection criteria include output voltage tolerance (±5% over temperature), dropout voltage (2 V at 1 A), ripple rejection (54–70 dB), thermal shutdown behavior, and compatibility with standard 0.33 µF input / 0.1 µF output capacitor stabilization.

Technical Context

The UA7815CKTER implements a monolithic series-pass transistor architecture with built-in current limiting and thermal shutdown circuitry. Its functional schematic shows an internal error amplifier, reference voltage, and pass element - all optimized for fixed-output operation without external feedback components.

It operates in fixed-output mode only and does not support adjustable configurations unless externally modified per Figure 7 of SLVS056P. The device requires no output capacitor for stability but benefits from 0.1 µF ceramic decoupling at the output to suppress high-frequency noise.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

KTE (PowerFLEX™) package: 3-pin surface-mount, exposed thermal pad, body size 10.06 mm × 9.02 mm, RoHS-compliant, obsolete status per TI orderable addendum.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

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

Compared with UA7815CKTER, UA7815CKTTR offers superior thermal reliability and production support, while LM7815CD2TR trades performance for broader second-source availability - neither is pin-compatible with the obsolete KTE package without board redesign.

Availability

UA7815CKTER is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial control power supplies, test equipment bias rails, legacy equipment retrofits, and embedded sensor signal conditioning requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for UA7815CKTER 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 45 years of linear regulator innovation.

The µA78xx product line was engineered for robust, low-cost on-card voltage regulation in industrial, computing, and telecommunications systems - prioritizing fault tolerance, thermal resilience, and ease of implementation.

FAQ

What is the maximum input voltage for UA7815CKTER?

The absolute maximum input voltage for UA7815CKTER is 35 V, but the recommended operating range is 17.5 V to 30 V. Exceeding 30 V risks exceeding power dissipation limits and triggering thermal shutdown. The UA7815CKTER datasheet specifies 30 V as the upper bound for reliable continuous operation with adequate heatsinking.

Does UA7815CKTER require an output capacitor to remain stable?

No - UA7815CKTER is internally compensated and does not require an output capacitor for stability, unlike many other linear regulators. However, a 0.1 µF ceramic capacitor placed directly at the OUTPUT–COMMON terminals is strongly recommended to suppress high-frequency noise and improve transient response. This is explicitly stated in the "Output Capacitor Not Needed for Stability" feature and verified in Section 9.2.1 of SLVS056P.

Is UA7815CKTER still in active production?

No - UA7815CKTER is marked "OBSOLETE" in Texas Instruments' official packaging addendum (January 2015). It is no longer manufactured or stocked by TI, though limited legacy inventory may exist through authorized distributors. For new designs, TI recommends UA7815CKTTR (TO-263) or UA7815CKCS (TO-220) as active alternatives with identical electrical performance.

What thermal considerations apply to UA7815CKTER in PCB layout?

UA7815CKTER uses the KTE (PowerFLEX™) package with an exposed thermal pad that must be soldered to a large PCB copper area for heat conduction. Its junction-to-ambient thermal resistance is 25.3°C/W - meaning 1 W of dissipation raises junction temperature by ~25°C above ambient. Layout must provide ≥2 cm² of 2-oz copper connected to COMMON and the thermal pad, with multiple thermal vias to inner ground planes.

Can UA7815CKTER be used in negative-voltage applications?

No - UA7815CKTER is a fixed *positive* voltage regulator and cannot generate negative output. However, it can be configured in an inverted topology (Figure 6 of SLVS056P) to regulate a negative rail *if* the input supply floats relative to system ground. This requires careful isolation and is not a standard use case. For true negative regulation, TI's µA7915C (−15 V counterpart) is the appropriate device.