The LM117 adjustable three-terminal positive voltage regulator is capable of delivering 0.5A over an output range of 1.2V to 37V. It is very easy to use and only requires two external resistors to set the output voltage. Also, line and load regulation is better than standard fixed regulators. In addition to higher performance than fixed regulators, the LM117 provides full overload protection only on the IC. On-chip current limiting, thermal overload protection and safe area protection are included. All overload protection circuits remain fully functional even if the adjustment terminals are disconnected. Typically, no capacitors are required, unless the device is located more than 6 inches, in which case input bypass input filter capacitors are required. An optional output capacitor can be added to improve transient response. The trim termination can be bypassed to achieve very high ripple rejection ratios, which are difficult to achieve with standard three-terminal regulators. In addition to replacing fixed voltage regulators, the LM117 is useful in a variety of other applications. Since the regulator is "floating" and considers only the input-to-output differential voltage, a supply of several hundred volts can be regulated long-term without exceeding the maximum input differential output (ie, to avoid shorting the output). In addition, it makes a particularly simple adjustable switching regulator, a programmable output regulator, or by a fixed resistor to adjust the connection between the pin and the output, the LM117 can be used as a precise current regulator. Electronic shutdown supplies implement clamping to adjust the terminal ground which programs the output to 1.2V where most loads draw a small current.