LM2596T-5.0/NOPB - 5V 3A Buck Regulator 150kHz | TI
MPN: LM2596T-5.0/NOPB β Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $3.98 | $3.98 |
| 10 | $3.58 | $35.80 |
| 100 | $2.95 | $295.00 |
| 500 | $2.55 | $1,275.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.15 | $2,150.00 |
LM2596T-5.0/NOPB Overview
A buck (step-down) switching regulator is a DC-DC power converter that produces a lower output voltage from a higher input voltage by switching an internal power transistor at a fixed frequency and filtering the resulting waveform with an inductor and capacitor. Unlike linear regulators, switching regulators dissipate far less power as heat, making them the preferred choice whenever efficiency, thermal budget, or input-to-output voltage difference matters. The LM2596 sits within the broader hierarchy: switching regulator > DC-DC converter > voltage regulator > power management IC.
Key features include the wide 4.5 V to 40 V input range that tolerates unregulated industrial supplies and 24 V buses, a fixed 5 V output with excellent line and load regulation, and 3 A output capability. The 150 kHz switching frequency allows the use of smaller inductors than older 50 kHz designs, while the external component count is deliberately low - a standard series of inductors from multiple manufacturers is pre-characterized for this part, greatly simplifying switch-mode power supply design.
Internally the LM2596 is a monolithic IC integrating the power switch, oscillator, PWM control, and protection circuitry. The non-synchronous (external catch-diode) topology keeps the die simple and robust; efficiency at typical loads is high compared with equivalent linear solutions, significantly reducing heatsink requirements. The ON/OFF (enable) pin permits low standby-current shutdown.
Typical applications include 5 V logic and microcontroller supplies from 12 V or 24 V rails, industrial automation power stages, battery chargers, and point-of-load conversion in instrumentation. The through-hole TO-220 package suits hand-soldered prototypes, repair, and high-vibration environments where solder joints benefit from larger mechanical land area.
Design consideration: choose the catch diode (Schottky, rated above input voltage and 3 A), inductor, and output capacitors per the manufacturer datasheet tables; a poor inductor selection is the most common cause of instability or excessive ripple.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in alternatives, comparison tables, and practical design notes not found in the manufacturer datasheet, with data verified as of 2026-09-11.
Drop-in alternatives for LM2596T-5.0/NOPB β same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool β Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LM2596T-12/NOPB
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM2596T-3.3/NOPB
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM2596T-ADJ/NOPB
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
XL2596-5.0
β Drop-Inπ Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM2596T-5.0/NOPB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Topology | Step-Down (Buck) |
| Output Type | Fixed |
| Output Voltage | 5 V |
| Number of Outputs | 1 |
| Maximum Output Current | 3 A |
| Input Voltage Range | 4.5 V to 40 V |
| Switching Frequency | 150 kHz |
| Synchronous Rectifier | No |
| Mounting Type | Through Hole |
| Package | TO-220-5 (NDH), formed leads |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40C to +125C |
| Enable / Shutdown Pin | Yes (ON/OFF) |
| Series | SIMPLE SWITCHER |
| Packaging | Tube/Rail |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (NOPB lead-free suffix) |
LM2596T-5.0/NOPB Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VIN β Positive supply input, 4.5 V to 40 V |
| Pin 2 | Output β Switch output - connect to inductor and catch diode |
| Pin 3 | Ground β Ground |
| Pin 4 | Feedback β Feedback input (tied to Output for fixed 5 V version) |
| Pin 5 | ON/OFF β Enable/shutdown (ground or open to enable, high to shut down) |
Typical Applications
LM2596T-5.0/NOPB is suitable for 6 applications: 5V Logic and Microcontroller Supply from 12V/24V Rails, Industrial Automation Power Stages, Automotive and 12V Battery-Powered Systems, Repair, Retrofit and Hobby Electronics, Instrumentation and Test Equipment Point-of-Load Power, Off-Grid, Solar and Battery Charging Systems.
5V Logic and Microcontroller Supply from 12V/24V Rails
The most common use of the LM2596T-5.0/NOPB is generating a clean 5 V rail for microcontrollers, logic, and relays from a 12 V or 24 V industrial supply. Its 4.5 V to 40 V input range directly accepts unregulated wall adapters and automotive-class rails without pre-regulation, while the 3 A capacity covers MCU boards plus peripherals such as displays and sensors. Because it switches at 150 kHz with a monolithic power stage, efficiency is far higher than a linear regulator dropping 24 V to 5 V at ampere loads, cutting heat sink size dramatically. The through-hole TO-220 package also simplifies prototyping and field repair of 5 V rails.
Recommended
Industrial Automation Power Stages
Factory equipment, PLC I/O modules, and motor-control auxiliary supplies routinely need robust 5 V control power derived from noisy 24 V distribution buses. The LM2596T-5.0/NOPB fits this role because its 40 V maximum input provides headroom above nominal 24 V systems, its -40C to +125C range suits enclosures near heat sources, and the external catch-diode topology tolerates input transients when properly protected. The pre-characterized inductor series from multiple vendors shortens design time, and the ON/OFF pin supports power sequencing or emergency shutdown of subsystem rails. Its decades-long production status also guarantees long-term availability for industrial lifecycles.
Recommended
Automotive and 12V Battery-Powered Systems
Vehicle electrical systems present wide, transient-laden input voltages that the LM2596T-5.0/NOPB's 40 V rating and monolithic construction absorb with modest external protection. Dropping 12 V to 5 V at 3 A for audio accessories, chargers, telematics boxes, and lighting controllers is a classic application; the buck topology delivers most of the battery's energy to the load instead of burning it as heat, extending runtime in engine-off scenarios. The formed-lead TO-220 package survives vibration and supports manual rework in low-volume vehicle conversions. Layout per the datasheet keeps 150 kHz ripple below typical automotive accessory noise limits.
Recommended
Repair, Retrofit and Hobby Electronics
Because the LM2596T-5.0/NOPB is through-hole, hand-solderable, and available in single quantities, it dominates repair and retrofit work on legacy equipment with failed 5 V linear supplies. Replacing a hot 7805-based 3 A supply with an LM2596 buck circuit cuts heat output sharply, extending capacitor and overall equipment life, and the standard inductor series means replacement parts are widely stocked. Countless reference schematics for fixed 5 V and adjustable buck circuits are published, making implementation low-risk. The part's forgiving external-component requirements and integrated protection behavior make it the default recommendation for maintenance engineers and makers alike.
Recommended
Instrumentation and Test Equipment Point-of-Load Power
Bench instruments, data loggers, and measurement front-ends frequently need a local 5 V, multi-amp rail for displays, relays, and digital sections, isolated from sensitive analog rails. The LM2596T-5.0/NOPB provides this bulk conversion efficiently at 150 kHz, leaving downstream LDOs to deliver ripple-free analog supplies from the 5 V output. Excellent line and load regulation over the -40C to +125C range keeps digital rail accuracy stable across warm-up and environmental swings. The through-hole package allows straightforward heatsinking in metal instrument enclosures, and its shutdown pin enables standby modes that cut quiescent draw in battery-backed portable instruments.
Recommended
Off-Grid, Solar and Battery Charging Systems
Solar and lead-acid battery installations produce nominal 12 V to 24 V buses with wide charge-dependent voltage swings - precisely the envelope the LM2596T-5.0/NOPB's 4.5 V to 40 V input tolerates. It efficiently steps these sources down to 5 V for charge controllers' logic, USB charging outlets, lighting controllers, and remote monitoring nodes drawing up to 3 A. High conversion efficiency matters directly to off-grid energy budgets, and the buck converter wastes far less harvested energy than linear alternatives. The rugged TO-220 construction withstands outdoor enclosure temperatures, and simple external componentry enables field-serviceable designs in remote installations.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LM2596T-5.0/NOPB β comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LM2596T-12/NOPB | LM2596T-3.3/NOPB | LM2596T-ADJ/NOPB | XL2596-5.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TO-220-5 (NDH), formed leads | TO-220-5 (NDH) - same | TO-220-5 (NDH) - same | TO-220-5 (NDH) - same | TO-220-5 - same |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | XLSEMI |
| Output Voltage | 5 V fixed | 12 V fixed | 3.3 V fixed | 1.2 V to 37 V adjustable | 5 V fixed |
| Output Current | 3 A | 3 A | 3 A | 3 A | 3 A |
| Topology | Buck, non-synchronous (external catch diode) | Buck, non-synchronous | Buck, non-synchronous | Buck, non-synchronous | Buck, non-synchronous |
Key Differentiators
- Fixed 5 V output with zero feedback divider design effort (vs LM2596T-ADJ/NOPB)
- Direct 5 V drop-in on the same footprint (vs XL2596-5.0)
- Higher output voltage for actuator rails (vs LM2596T-3.3/NOPB)
Design Notes
Keep the main switching loop (input capacitor, VIN pin, Output pin, catch diode, inductor) as physically compact as possible, with the Schottky catch diode placed directly adjacent to the Output pin. In through-hole TO-220 layouts, minimize loop area on the switch-node trace to limit 150 kHz ringing and radiated EMI. Place the input capacitor within centimeters of pin 1; TI's datasheet typical application schematics show the reference layout that also underpins the pre-qualified inductor vendor designs.
Estimated: at VIN=24 V, VOUT=5 V, 3 A load, and assuming roughly 85 percent efficiency, power dissipation is about (24*3) - (5*3) = 27 W of input power minus output, i.e. roughly 4 W lost in the converter. Mount the TO-220 tab on a heatsink or generous copper area, and verify junction temperature stays below 125C at worst-case ambient. Select the catch diode as a Schottky (e.g. 1N5822 class) rated above the input voltage and at least 3 A average.
Use only datasheet-recommended inductor values and types for the 5 V, 3 A operating point - an underrated or wrong-value inductor is the most common cause of instability, audible noise, or overload failures. Do not omit the catch diode or substitute a standard-recovery diode; slow reverse recovery destroys efficiency and can overheat the diode. Ensure the ON/OFF pin (pin 5) is grounded or left floating to enable operation; accidentally pulling it high shuts the regulator down and is a frequent bring-up fault.
Compliance Information
NOPB suffix denotes Non-Pb (lead-free) construction per TI naming convention; distributor listings classify the part as RoHS compliant. REACH and conflict minerals statements should be confirmed on the TI product page.
