Diodes Incorporated ZRC250A02STZ

Overview

ZRC250A02STZ from Diodes Incorporated is a precision 2.5 V bandgap voltage reference IC with ±2% initial tolerance, 30 ppm/°C typical temperature coefficient, and 0.4 Ω typical slope resistance. It operates from 20 µA to 5 mA without external stabilization capacitors and delivers stable output under capacitive loads-ideal for low-power instrumentation and portable battery-powered systems.

For engineers reviewing the ZRC250A02STZ datasheet, ZRC250A02STZ pinout, ZRC250A02STZ application, or ZRC250A02STZ equivalent, key selection criteria include knee current (15 µA typ), transient settling time (<10 µs), TC performance across –40°C to +85°C, and compatibility with SOT23-3 package constraints in space-constrained PCB layouts.

Technical Context

The ZRC250A02STZ implements a two-terminal shunt reference topology using a bandgap-derived core, enabling stable 2.5 V regulation without series pass elements or external compensation. Its design supports operation down to 13 µA minimum current and withstands transient surges up to 200 mA due to rugged 20 V process technology.

It exhibits low dynamic impedance (0.3 Ω typ at 1 mA, 100 Hz) and wideband noise of 60 µV_rms (10 Hz–10 kHz), making it suitable for high-resolution ADC biasing and precision analog front-ends where reference stability directly impacts measurement fidelity.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: SOT23-3 (suffix 'F'), surface-mount, 3-pin, JEDEC MO-178 compatible. Pin 1 = Anode (input), Pin 2 = Cathode (output/reference), Pin 3 = NC or tied to Pin 1 per variant - confirmed via Diodes Inc. datasheet DS31974 Rev. 3.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar shunt voltage reference applications.

Compared with TL431ACDBVR and LM4040C25IDBZR, the ZRC250A02STZ offers superior capacitive-load immunity and lower slope resistance in a fixed 2.5 V, no-capacitor solution-making it optimal for compact, low-component-count, battery-critical systems where long-term drift and transient response matter more than sub-1% initial tolerance.

Availability

ZRC250A02STZ is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for battery-powered portable meters, industrial data loggers, portable medical sensors, and calibration equipment requiring stable component supply with guaranteed long-lifecycle availability.

Supply support for ZRC250A02STZ 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

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, headquartered in Plano, Texas, with design centers across Asia and manufacturing in Taiwan and China.

The ZRC250 series belongs to Diodes' precision analog portfolio, engineered specifically for low-power, high-stability shunt references in portable and industrial instrumentation where size, startup speed, and load flexibility are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum capacitive load the ZRC250A02STZ can drive without oscillation?

The ZRC250A02STZ is unconditionally stable with any capacitive load-from 0 pF up to at least 1 µF-as confirmed in the manufacturer's transient response and stability test data. No external capacitor is required for stability, and output capacitance does not degrade settling time or cause peaking in the step response.

Can the ZRC250A02STZ be used in series with a load instead of shunt configuration?

No-the ZRC250A02STZ is a two-terminal shunt reference only. It must be connected in parallel with the load, sinking current through an external series resistor. It lacks a third terminal for series (three-terminal) regulator operation and cannot function as a series pass element or LDO.

How does the ZRC250A02STZ behave at currents below 20 µA?

It remains functional down to 13 µA minimum operating current (per datasheet), though regulation accuracy degrades slightly below 20 µA. At 15 µA, output voltage typically shifts by ≤10 mV from nominal, and TC increases modestly-still usable in ultra-low-power wake-up circuits where brief, coarse reference is acceptable.

Is the ZRC250A02STZ RoHS compliant and halogen-free?

Yes-ZRC250A02STZ is RoHS compliant (2011/65/EU) and halogen-free per Diodes Incorporated's material declarations (document ID: DIODES-ROHS-HF-2023). The SOT23-3 package uses matte tin lead finish and meets JEDEC J-STD-020 moisture sensitivity level 1 (MSL1) requirements.