NJM7815FA - 15V 1.5A Positive 3-Terminal Regulator | Nisshinbo
MPN: NJM7815FA ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.92 | $0.92 |
| 10 | $0.82 | $8.20 |
| 100 | $0.71 | $71.00 |
| 500 | $0.62 | $310.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.54 | $540.00 |
NJM7815FA Overview
A linear voltage regulator (also called an LDO when operated near dropout, or simply a 3-terminal regulator in this fixed-output form) is a device that maintains a constant DC output voltage from a higher, often noisy DC input. It sits within the power-management IC hierarchy between discrete Zener-diode regulators and fully integrated switching converter modules, and the NJM7800 family occupies the high-current (>0.5 A) tier of that hierarchy.
Key specifications include a fixed 15 V output, 1.5 A maximum load current, 2 V typical dropout, and internal thermal overload, short-circuit, and safe-area protection. The bipolar architecture provides excellent line and load regulation, low output impedance, and high ripple rejection at audio frequencies, while the isolated TO-220F tab simplifies PCB mounting by eliminating the need for an insulating washer.
Typical applications include 15 V op-amp analog rails in audio equipment, industrial control boards, instrumentation power supplies, and any subsystem that requires a clean, stable positive rail above the standard 12 V supply level. The device also serves as a building block in linear post-regulation stages following switching pre-regulators.
When using this part, ensure that the input-to-output differential stays above the dropout voltage at full load, and that the power dissipation stays within the TO-220F thermal limits. The isolated tab simplifies chassis-mount heatsink attachment without extra insulation hardware.
This page consolidates distributor stock, parametric drop-in equivalents in the TO-220F footprint, and practical design notes that complement the manufacturer datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for NJM7815FA — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
NJM7815FA-TE1
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NJM7805FA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NJM7812FA
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM7815CT
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MC7815CTG
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
TA78015F
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
NJM7815FA Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Regulator Type | Fixed Positive Linear Voltage Regulator |
| Output Type | Fixed |
| Polarity | Positive |
| Output Voltage | 15 V |
| Maximum Output Current | 1.5 A |
| Number of Terminals | 3 |
| Package | TO-220F (3-pin + tab, fully isolated) |
| Mounting Type | Through-Hole |
| Dropout Voltage (typical) | 2 V at 1.5 A |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C |
| Protection Features | Thermal overload, short-circuit, SOA safe-area |
| Process Technology | New JRC Planar epitaxial bipolar |
| RoHS Status | Compliant (per DigiKey listing) |
NJM7815FA Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | IN — Unregulated input voltage (typically 17.5-20 V) |
| Pin 2 | GND — Ground reference |
| Pin 3 | OUT — Regulated 15 V output |
Typical Applications
NJM7815FA is suitable for 6 applications: 15 V Analog / Op-Amp Power Rail, Industrial Control Board Power, Audio Equipment Power Supply, Instrumentation & Test Equipment, Linear Post-Regulation after Switching Pre-Regulator, Hobby & Replacement Power Supply.
15 V Analog / Op-Amp Power Rail
The NJM7815FA's fixed 15 V output and 1.5 A rating directly power classic +/-15 V op-amp analog rails from a single positive supply when paired with a 79xx negative counterpart. According to the NJR datasheet, the bipolar architecture provides low output impedance and strong ripple rejection at audio frequencies, keeping the rail clean for precision amplifiers, ADCs, and signal-conditioning stages. With a typical dropout of 2 V at 1.5 A, designers feed the regulator from a nominal 18-20 V rectified supply to maintain regulation under transient loads.
Recommended
Industrial Control Board Power
PLC and industrial controller boards commonly require an isolated 15 V rail to drive relay coils, sensors, and 4-20 mA loop transmitters. The NJM7815FA's TO-220F fully-isolated tab lets designers bolt the part to a chassis or DIN-rail heatsink without an insulating mica washer, simplifying mechanical assembly. Per the manufacturer datasheet, internal thermal and SOA protection allow the regulator to survive sustained overloads common in inductive load switching.
Recommended
Audio Equipment Power Supply
Hi-fi amplifiers, mixers, and effects units often derive a clean 15 V analog rail from a higher rectified bus. The NJM7815FA introduces no high-frequency switching noise to the audio band, which is critical for preserving SNR in DAC and preamp stages. According to distributor application notes, designers often pair it with a small LC post-filter for additional ripple attenuation when the upstream rectifier ripple exceeds the regulator's PSRR at 100 Hz.
Recommended
Instrumentation & Test Equipment
Bench multimeters, oscilloscope front-ends, and laboratory signal generators require stable, low-noise rails for their analog signal paths. The NJM7815FA provides 1.5 A at 15 V with regulation suitable for reference and ADC supply use, while its -40 C to +85 C operating range covers standard laboratory environments. Per the NJR datasheet, the device's thermal shutdown activates above the SOA boundary, protecting downstream test circuits from regulator failure during fault conditions.
Recommended
Linear Post-Regulation after Switching Pre-Regulator
Many distributed power architectures use a switching converter to drop a higher bus voltage efficiently, then follow it with a linear regulator to clean up switching ripple. The NJM7815FA at the 15 V tap of such a chain eliminates the last 10-50 mV of ripple from the upstream buck stage, producing an audio-band-clean rail. According to the manufacturer datasheet, this post-regulation scheme trades efficiency for noise, so the upstream switcher should drop the voltage as close to the linear's dropout as practical to minimize dissipation.
Recommended
Hobby & Replacement Power Supply
For DIY electronics, repair work, and breadboard prototypes, the NJM7815FA in a TO-220F package is the industry-standard building block for any 15 V rail. Per the NJR datasheet, only two external capacitors (input and output) are required for stable operation, and the through-hole pins are friendly to perfboard and stripboard layouts. The part's wide availability at major distributors as of 2026-10-09 makes it a go-to regulator for legacy and hobby 15 V systems.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for NJM7815FA — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | NJM7815FA-TE1 | LM7815CT | MC7815CTG | TA78015F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Package | TO-220F (isolated tab) | TO-220F (isolated tab) - same | TO-220F (non-isolated tab) | TO-220F (non-isolated tab) | TO-220F (isolated tab) |
| Brand | Nisshinbo Micro Devices | Nisshinbo Micro Devices | Texas Instruments | onsemi | Toshiba |
| Output Voltage | 15 V | 15 V | 15 V | 15 V | 15 V |
| Output Current | 1.5 A | 1.5 A | 1.5 A | 1.5 A | 1.5 A |
| Polarity | Positive | Positive | Positive | Positive | Positive |
| Pinout Standard | 78xx (IN/GND/OUT) | 78xx - same | 78xx - same | 78xx - same | 78xx - same |
| Tab Isolation | Yes (fully isolated) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Approx. Unit Price (qty 1000) | $0.54 | $0.54 (same die) | $0.45-0.60 | $0.40-0.55 | $0.50-0.70 |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +85 C | -40 C to +125 C | 0 C to +125 C | -30 C to +85 C |
Key Differentiators
- Fully-isolated TO-220F tab simplifies mechanical assembly (vs LM7815CT)
- Wider operating temperature range than on-semi equivalent (vs MC7815CTG)
- Same NJM7800 family pinout as Toshiba TA78015F for global sourcing (vs TA78015F)
Design Notes
At VIN = 20 V, VOUT = 15 V, and IOUT = 1.5 A, the NJM7815FA dissipates (20-15) * 1.5 = 7.5 W. Estimated: with the TO-220F theta_JA of approximately 50 C/W on a modest PCB copper area, junction temperature rises by 7.5 W * 50 C/W = 375 C above ambient, which exceeds the 150 C silicon limit. A clip-on or chassis-mounted heatsink of at least 10 C/W, or 5 sq-in of dedicated PCB copper, is mandatory for full-load operation above 30 C ambient. The isolated TO-220F tab allows direct chassis mounting without an insulating washer.
Per the NJR/Nisshinbo datasheet, place a 0.33 uF input bypass capacitor close to the input pin and a 0.1 uF output capacitor close to the output pin to suppress oscillation and improve transient response. For designs where the input source is more than a few inches from the regulator (typical of off-board supplies), increase the input capacitor to 1 uF or larger. The TO-220F package does not require a ground plane cutout around the tab.
Do not operate the NJM7815FA with input-to-output differential below 3 V at full load - regulation will degrade and ripple rejection will collapse. Estimated: at IOUT = 1.5 A, dropout is about 2 V typical; design the upstream supply for at least 17.5 V to give 2.5 V of margin under worst-case rectified bus droop. Also avoid reverse-polarity input transients greater than the internal clamp rating; a series Schottky diode (e.g., 1N5821) on the input protects against reverse battery connection in field-replaceable modules.
Keep the regulator away from heat-sensitive analog front-end components; the TO-220F dissipates substantial heat at full load. Route the high-current input and output traces with at least 1 oz copper and 50 mil width to minimize voltage drop and heating in the traces themselves. Star-ground the regulator's GND pin and the analog circuit's signal ground back to a single point near the output capacitor to avoid ground-loop noise injection.
Compliance Information
RoHS and lead-free confirmed per DigiKey listing; REACH, halogen-free, and conflict-minerals status not explicitly stated in the provided data and set to 'unknown'. The NJM7815FA is not AEC-Q100 qualified (industrial/commercial grade).
