LM338T

FEATURES • Specified 7A Peak Output Current • Specified 5A Output Current • Adjustable Output Down to 1.2V • Specified Thermal Regulation • Current Limit Constant with Temperature • P+ Product Enhancement Tested • Output is Short-Circuit Protected APPLICATIONS • Adjustable Power Supplies • Constant Current Regulators • Battery Chargers DESCRIPTION The LM138 series of adjustable 3-terminal positive voltage regulators is capable of supplying in excess of 5A over a 1.2V to 32V output range. They are exceptionally easy to use and require only 2 resistors to set the output voltage. Careful circuit design has resulted in outstanding load and line regulation—comparable to many commercial power supplies. The LM138 family is supplied in a standard 3-lead transistor package. A unique feature of the LM138 family is timedependent current limiting. The current limit circuitry allows peak currents of up to 12A to be drawn from the regulator for short periods of time. This allows the LM138 to be used with heavy transient loads and speeds start-up under full-load conditions. Under sustained loading conditions, the current limit decreases to a safe value protecting the regulator. Also included on the chip are thermal overload protection and safe area protection for the power transistor. Overload protection remains functional even if the adjustment pin is accidentally disconnected. Normally, no capacitors are needed unless the device is situated more than 6 inches from the input filter...