LM317DCYR - 1.5A Adjustable Positive Regulator | Texas Instruments
MPN: LM317DCYR ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.62 | $0.62 |
| 10 | $0.56 | $5.60 |
| 100 | $0.45 | $45.00 |
| 500 | $0.33 | $165.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.21 | $210.00 |
LM317DCYR Overview
A linear regulator maintains a constant output voltage by dissipating excess power as heat. The LM317 is an adjustable linear regulator whose output is programmed by a resistor divider, with a fixed 1.25V reference between the output and adjustment pins. Linear regulators belong to the broader power management IC family, alongside switching regulators and LDOs, and are preferred in noise-sensitive circuits for their low output noise and fast transient response.
Key features include typical line regulation of 0.01% and load regulation of 0.1%, plus internal short-circuit current limiting, thermal overload protection, and safe-area compensation. The device supports input voltages up to 40V, with a typical dropout voltage of about 2.5V at 1.5A load. The junction temperature range of 0C to 125C covers commercial and industrial requirements.
Architecturally, the LM317 uses a bandgap reference and error amplifier. The 1.25V reference across the programming resistor makes the device double as a precise constant-current source, useful for LED driving and battery charging. The SOT-223-4 package offers good thermal performance with a reasonable PCB copper area, and the tab is connected to the output pin for direct heatsinking to a copper pour.
Typical applications include adjustable bench power supplies, battery chargers, LED constant-current drivers, audio equipment, instrumentation, and industrial control systems where a stable adjustable rail is required.
Design tip: maintain at least a 3V input-output differential for regulation, size copper pour for thermal dissipation, and bypass the adjustment pin with a capacitor to improve ripple rejection.
Drop-in alternatives for LM317DCYR — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with LM317DCYR (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Maximum Output Current, Output Type, Protection Features, Reference Voltage.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LM317QDCYRQ1
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$0.31 / Unit
View Datasheet →LM317MDT
⚡ Same Package ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM317D2TR4G
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM317S-13
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM317DCY
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM317DCYR Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Output Type | Adjustable positive |
| Output Voltage Range | 1.25 V to 37 V |
| Maximum Output Current | > 1.5 A |
| Maximum Input Voltage | 40 V |
| Line Regulation | 0.01% (typical) |
| Load Regulation | 0.1% (typical) |
| Reference Voltage | 1.25 V (VOUT to ADJ) |
| Dropout Voltage | Approximately 2.5 V at 1.5 A load |
| Protection Features | Current limiting, thermal overload, safe-area compensation |
| Operating Junction Temperature | 0C to +125C |
| Package | SOT-223-4 (DCY) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Number of Terminals | 4 (3-terminal regulator + tab) |
| External Components | 2 resistors set output voltage |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
LM317DCYR Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | ADJ — Adjustment pin - 1.25V reference between this pin and output; connect resistor divider here |
| Pin 2 | OUT — Regulated output voltage (also connected to tab for heatsinking) |
| Pin 3 | VIN — Input supply voltage, up to 40V |
| Pin 4 | TAB — Mechanical tab connected to OUT for thermal dissipation to copper pour or heatsink |
Typical Applications
LM317DCYR is suitable for 6 applications: Adjustable Bench Power Supplies, Battery Chargers, LED Constant-Current Drivers, Audio Equipment Power Rails, Industrial Control and Instrumentation, Post-Regulation After Switching Converters.
Adjustable Bench Power Supplies
The LM317DCYR is the classic core of DIY and lab adjustable bench supplies. Its 1.25V to 37V output range with a simple two-resistor programming network lets designers dial in any rail without firmware or external controllers. With 1.5A capability, 0.01% line regulation and 0.1% load regulation, output remains stable across line and load steps, while internal current limiting and thermal shutdown provide fault tolerance. A potentiometer in place of R2 gives continuous adjustment; the tab can be soldered to a copper area or heatsink for higher dissipation.
Recommended
Battery Chargers
Per the TI datasheet typical applications, the LM317DCYR serves as a simple lead-acid or NiCd charger by programming a current-limited, voltage-regulated output with two resistors plus a series resistor for current limiting. The 1.25V reference between OUT and ADJ makes constant-current charging trivial: charging current equals 1.25V divided by the sense resistor. Input voltage up to 40V supports charging from automotive or unregulated adapter rails, while built-in thermal overload and safe-area compensation protect against fault conditions during long charge cycles.
Recommended
LED Constant-Current Drivers
The LM317DCYR doubles as a linear constant-current LED driver because the fixed 1.25V across the ADJ-to-OUT resistor defines LED current: I = 1.25V / R. An 8.3 ohm resistor yields 150mA; a 1.25 ohm resistor yields 1A. This topology needs no inductors or controller ICs, costs pennies, and inherits the LM317's thermal shutdown and current limiting as intrinsic protection. Trade-off: efficiency is limited to roughly VLED/VIN, so it suits low- and medium-power indicator and accent lighting rather than high-efficiency luminaires.
Recommended
Audio Equipment Power Rails
Linear regulation eliminates switching noise, and the LM317DCYR provides quiet analog rails for preamps, headphone amplifiers, and op-amp stages. Unlike buck converters, it injects no switching ripple, and adding a 10uF bypass capacitor on the ADJ pin raises ripple rejection further per the TI datasheet. With 0.01% line regulation, supply-induced hum and noise stay minimal. Place it downstream of a rectifier or preregulator with at least 3V headroom, and budget copper area for the (VIN - VOUT) x ILOAD dissipation at high listening currents.
Recommended
Industrial Control and Instrumentation
In factory controllers, sensor front ends, and instrumentation, the LM317DCYR generates well-regulated intermediate or analog rails from 24V-class industrial supplies, thanks to its 40V input rating. Internal short-circuit current limiting, thermal overload protection, and safe-area compensation give robust behavior under fault and brownout conditions common in industrial environments. The surface-mount SOT-223-4 package withstands reflow assembly for automated production, and its two-resistor programming lets one PCB design support multiple rail voltages by changing a single resistor value.
Recommended
Post-Regulation After Switching Converters
A common architecture pairs the LM317DCYR after a buck converter to strip switching ripple and tighten load regulation for sensitive analog loads. The buck handles the high-efficiency bulk step-down; the LM317 provides a clean final rail with 0.1% load regulation. Because the preregulator holds VIN-VOUT small, the linear stage dissipates little power, combining switching efficiency with linear-rail cleanliness. Keep at least 3V of headroom for LM317 regulation, and use 10uF input and output ceramics with an ADJ bypass capacitor for best transient and ripple performance.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LM317DCYR — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LM317QDCYRQ1 | LM317D2TR4G | LM317S-13 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | SOT-223-4 (DCY) | SOT-223-4 (DCY) - same | SOT-223 - same footprint | SOT-223 - same footprint |
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | onsemi | Diodes Incorporated |
| Output Voltage Range | 1.25 V to 37 V | 1.25 V to 37 V | 1.25 V to 37 V | 1.25 V to 37 V |
| Output Current | > 1.5 A | > 1.5 A | > 1.5 A | > 1.5 A |
| Automotive Grade (AEC-Q100) | No | Yes (Q1) | No | No |
Key Differentiators
- Automotive-qualified variant available on same footprint (vs LM317QDCYRQ1)
- Wide 40V input and 37V output range (vs LM317S-13)
- Only two external resistors for full adjustability (vs Fixed-output LDOs (e.g., TPS7133QDR))
Design Notes
Power dissipation is (VIN - VOUT) x ILOAD. At 12V in, 5V out, 1A load, the LM317DCYR dissipates 7W, far beyond what a bare SOT-223 can handle. Connect the output tab to a generous copper pour (1 square inch or more) or an external heatsink, and verify junction temperature stays below 125C. Keep at least 3V input-output differential for guaranteed regulation per the TI datasheet.
Place the programming resistors close to the ADJ pin to keep the sense path short and noise-free. Use 0.1uF ceramic input bypass if the regulator is more than a few inches from the input filter capacitor, and 1uF or 10uF tantalum/ceramic on the output for transient response. The tab (OUT) copper area serves double duty as electrical connection and heatsink.
Do not omit the output capacitor if the ADJ pin is bypassed - an output capacitor without proper diode protection can discharge into the regulator on input short, damaging it. Add a protection diode from OUT to IN if input shorts are possible and output capacitance exceeds about 10uF. Ensure the ADJ pin leakage path resistor (R1, typically 240 ohm) is always present or the output floats high.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per TI product page. AEC-Q100 qualification applies to the LM317QDCYRQ1 variant, not the standard LM317DCYR. REACH and halogen-free status not stated in provided data.
