The adjustable three-terminal LM117 series regulators are capable of oversupplying 1.5A through a 1.2V to 37V output range. They are incredibly easy to use, requiring only two external resistors to set the output voltage. In addition, both line and load regulation are superior to standard fixed regulators. In addition, the LM117 is packaged in standard transistors for easy installation and package handling. In addition to higher performance than fixed voltage regulators, the LM117 series offers complete overload protection only available in integrated circuits. Included in the chip are current limiting, thermal overload protection and safe area protection. All overload protection circuits remain fully functional even if the adjustment terminals are disconnected. Typically, it is not necessary unless the capacitor device is located more than 6 inches from the input filter capacitor, in which case input bypassing is necessary. An optional output capacitor can be added to improve transient response. The trim termination can be bypassed to achieve very high ripple rejection ratios that are difficult to achieve with standard three-terminal regulators. In addition to replacing fixed voltage regulators, the LM117 is useful in a wide variety of other applications. Since the regulator "floats" and considers only the input-to-output differential voltage, a power supply of several hundred volts can be regulated as the maximum input-output differential length does not exceed the standard, that is, to avoid short-circuiting the output. Additionally, it makes a particularly simple adjustable switching regulator, a programmable output regulator, or a fixed resistor connected between the adjust pin and the output, the LM117 can be used as a precision current regulator. Electronic shutdown of consumables can be adjusted by clamping the terminal ground which programs the output to 1.2V most loads consume very little current. For applications requiring higher output current, see the LM150 series (3A) and LM138 series (5A) data sheets. For negative additions, see the LM137 series data sheet.

Features Guaranteed 1% Output Voltage Tolerance (LM317A)
Maximum guarantee. 0.01%/V Line Regulation (LM317A)
Maximum guarantee. 0.3% Load Regulation (LM117)
Guaranteed 1.5A output current adjustable output to 1.2V
Current limit constant vs. temperature
P+ Product Enhancement Test
80dB ripple suppression output is short circuit protected