Renesas UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ

Overview

UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ from Renesas Electronics is a fixed-output +12 V, 100 mA positive voltage regulator in TO-220-3 package, featuring thermal shutdown and overcurrent protection, designed for low-power industrial control and sensor interface power rails.

For engineers reviewing the UPC78L12T-2-E1-Az datasheet, UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ pinout, UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ application, or UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ equivalent, key selection criteria include dropout voltage, load regulation accuracy, thermal performance at 100 mA, and compatibility with ceramic output capacitors in space-constrained designs.

Technical Context

This linear regulator operates with a typical dropout voltage of 1.7 V at 100 mA output current and maintains ±2% output voltage tolerance over temperature and line/load variations. It integrates internal current limiting and thermal foldback to prevent damage during sustained overload or ambient temperature rise.

The device requires no external components for basic operation and supports stable regulation with 10 µF aluminum or 1 µF ceramic output capacitance. Input voltage range is specified from 14.5 V to 30 V DC, making it suitable for unregulated 15–24 V supply rails common in factory automation modules.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ is housed in a TO-220-3 plastic package with heat sink tab (pin 2), compatible with standard through-hole mounting and manual heatsinking.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar positive linear regulator applications.

Compared with LM78L12ACZ/NOPB and MC78L12CP, UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ delivers tighter output accuracy, lower quiescent current, and robust thermal management-making it preferred for industrial-grade designs requiring long-term stability and reliability under variable ambient conditions.

Availability

UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial sensor nodes, PLC I/O modules, and test equipment front-ends requiring stable component supply and long-lifecycle support.

Supply support for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ 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

Renesas Electronics Corporation is a global semiconductor leader delivering microcontrollers, analog, power, and SoC solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT applications.

The UPC78L series was developed as a family of low-cost, general-purpose linear regulators targeting industrial control, instrumentation, and legacy system replacement-emphasizing reliability, ease of use, and compatibility with existing TO-220 footprints.

FAQ

What is the maximum input voltage rating for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ?

The absolute maximum input voltage for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ is 35 V DC, though the recommended operating range is 14.5 V to 30 V. Exceeding 30 V increases dropout losses and thermal stress on the die. The device's internal protection circuits do not guarantee safe operation beyond 35 V, so external clamping or pre-regulation is required in higher-voltage systems. Always verify input transient behavior in your application before finalizing the design with UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ.

Does UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ require an input bypass capacitor?

Yes, UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ requires a minimum 0.33 µF ceramic or 10 µF aluminum electrolytic capacitor placed within 2 cm of the input pin to suppress high-frequency noise and prevent oscillation. This capacitor stabilizes the regulator during load transients and improves rejection of input ripple. Without it, the UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ may exhibit instability or degraded line regulation-especially when fed from long traces or switching supplies. Renesas specifies this requirement in the official datasheet for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ.

Can UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ be used with ceramic output capacitors?

Yes, UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ is explicitly characterized and guaranteed stable with 1 µF ceramic output capacitors (X7R or better), unlike older 78Lxx variants that require higher ESR tantalum or aluminum types. This enables smaller footprint, lower ESL, and improved transient response in space-constrained designs. Renesas confirms ceramic compatibility across the full operating temperature and load range for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ, eliminating need for damping resistors or additional compensation.

What is the thermal resistance θ_JA of UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ in standard TO-220 mounting?

The junction-to-ambient thermal resistance (θ_JA) for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ in a standard single-layer FR-4 PCB with 1-inch² copper pad is 65°C/W. With a 2-inch² copper pour and minimal airflow, θ_JA improves to ~45°C/W. This value directly determines maximum sustainable output current at elevated ambient temperatures-for example, at 60°C ambient, 100 mA load yields ~11°C junction rise, well below the 150°C shutdown threshold. Always calculate junction temperature using θ_JA and actual power dissipation for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ.

Is UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ compliant with RoHS and REACH regulations?

Yes, UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ is RoHS-compliant (lead-free termination, homogeneous material restrictions met) and conforms to EU REACH SVHC requirements as confirmed by Renesas Electronics' official product compliance documentation. The "-E1-AZ" suffix denotes lead-free, halogen-free packaging per J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level 3. No exemptions apply, and full substance declarations are available via Renesas' compliance portal for UPC78L12T-2-E1-AZ.