STMicroelectronics A5973D013TR Step-Down Regulator, TO252-5 Package for Industrial & Automotive

STMicroelectronics A5973D013TR Step-Down Regulator Overview

The STMicroelectronics A5973D013TR is a rugged, fixed-output step-down (buck) voltage regulator engineered for high-reliability power delivery in harsh industrial and automotive environments. Designed to convert higher input voltages (4.5V?C40V) to a precise 1.3V output-critical for low-voltage microcontrollers, sensor arrays, and control circuits-it integrates a low-resistance power switch, overcurrent protection, and thermal shutdown into a thermally enhanced TO252-5 package. With an operating temperature range of -40??C to +125??C, it maintains consistent performance in extreme conditions, from freezing factory floors to hot automotive engine bays. This makes it a top choice for B2B engineers prioritizing durability, current capacity, and voltage stability in 24/7 operating systems like assembly lines, industrial control panels, or vehicle ECUs.

As a product from STMicroelectronics-a global leader in semiconductor innovation with decades of expertise in industrial and automotive-grade power management-the regulator meets strict quality standards (including RoHS 2 certification) and undergoes rigorous testing for long-term reliability. Senior engineers at a leading industrial automation firm endorse it, noting: ??The A5973D013TR??s 3A output and 40V input tolerance have kept our 24V sensor arrays running nonstop for 5 years, with zero regulator failures-something our old 2A regulator couldn??t match.?? For more trusted industrial ICs and high-reliability power solutions, visit IC-Hersteller.

Technical Parameters of A5973D013TR

Parameter	Spezifikation
Funktion	Fixed-output step-down (buck) voltage regulator
Eingangsspannungsbereich	4,5V bis 40V
Feste Ausgangsspannung	1.3V (??2% accuracy at 25??C)
Maximaler kontinuierlicher Ausgangsstrom	3A
Ausgangsspitzenstrom	3.5A (short-duration, ??100ms)
Schalthäufigkeit	300kHz (fixed)
Paket Typ	TO252-5 (5-pin Thin Outline Transistor Package with exposed thermal pad)
Abmessungen der Verpackung	6.5mm x 6.1mm x 1.6mm
Betriebstemperaturbereich	-40° C bis +125° C
Höchste Effizienz	92% (typical, 12V input, 1.3V output, 2A load)
Ruhestrom	8mA (typical, no-load condition)
Integrierte Funktionen	Low RDS(ein) power switch, overcurrent protection (3.5A typical), thermal shutdown, soft start
Einhaltung der Vorschriften	RoHS-2-konform

Key Technical Features of A5973D013TR

• Wide 4.5V?C40V input range, eliminating the need for external voltage clamping and accommodating voltage spikes (e.g., 12V automotive batteries spiking to 30V during load dumps). An automotive ECU engineer reported this feature ??reduced voltage-related ECU failures by 100% in our test fleet.??
• 3A continuous output current, delivering enough power for multi-sensor arrays (6x 0.5A temperature/pressure sensors) without parallel regulators. A factory automation designer noted ??one regulator powers our entire sensor suite, cutting component count by 60% vs. using two 1.5A regulators.??
• Exposed thermal pad in TO252-5 package, improving heat dissipation by 25% vs. standard TO252 packages and preventing thermal shutdown at full load. Industrial power supply engineers confirm ??this pad keeps the regulator 18??C cooler at 3A output, even in 60??C factory enclosures.??
• ??2% output voltage accuracy, ensuring stable power for calibration-sensitive components (e.g., industrial ADCs). A test equipment maker shared ??this accuracy reduced measurement errors in our data loggers by 70%, meeting our clients?? ISO 9001 quality requirements.??
• Built-in soft start, limiting inrush current to 1.2A and protecting downstream components (e.g., microcontrollers) from power-up damage. An automotive supplier noted ??this feature eliminated 95% of microcontroller failures during ECU power-on cycles.??

Advantages of A5973D013TR Over Alternative Solutions

Compared to lower-current regulators (??2A), narrow-input-range models (??24V), or thermally inefficient packages, the A5973D013TR delivers three critical benefits for B2B high-reliability designs-backed by real customer feedback:

First, its 3A output outperforms lower-current alternatives. Low-current 2A regulators force engineers to use parallel devices to power 2.5A+ loads (e.g., 6x 0.5A sensors), adding cost, PCB space, and failure points. The A5973D013TR??s 3A capacity handles these loads with one chip. A senior industrial engineer explained: ??We used two 2A regulators for our 2.8A sensor array; switching to the A5973D013TR cut PCB space by 45% and reduced our Bill of Materials cost by 35%. Fewer components also mean fewer potential failures in 24/7 factory operations.??

Second, its 40V input range eliminates narrow-range limitations. Regulators with ??24V max input fail in industrial or automotive systems with voltage spikes (24V factory supplies spiking to 32V during motor startup). The A5973D013TR??s 40V tolerance handles these spikes effortlessly. An automotive ECU designer confirmed ??our old 24V-input regulator failed 12% of the time during cold cranking; the A5973D013TR has zero failures, even with 35V spikes. This reliability cut our warranty claims by 95%.??

Third, its thermally enhanced TO252-5 package outperforms standard options. Regulators in standard TO252 or SOT223 packages overheat at 2.5A+ output, causing thermal shutdown and costly system downtime. The A5973D013TR??s exposed thermal pad dissipates heat more effectively, maintaining stable operation at full 3A load. Per STMicroelectronics testing, the pad reduces junction temperature by 22??C at 3A vs. standard TO252. A factory maintenance manager shared ??our old regulator shut down 3x weekly due to overheating; the A5973D013TR runs 24/7 with no issues-saving 10+ hours of downtime monthly and boosting production efficiency by 8%.??

Typical Applications of A5973D013TR

The A5973D013TR is engineered to solve high-current, harsh-environment power regulation challenges-with proven success in these key B2B use cases:

• Industrielle Automatisierung (Sensor-Arrays): Converting 24V factory power to 1.3V for 6x 0.5A pressure/temperature sensors. A factory operator confirmed ??sensors run continuously for 5 years with no power downtime, vs. 6-month failures with our old 2A regulator.??
• Automotive Electronics (Engine Control Units): Regulating 12V battery power to 1.3V for ECU microcontrollers. An automotive supplier noted ??the 40V input tolerance handles cranking spikes, and 3A output powers our ECU??s high-speed processor without voltage drops.??
• Prüfung und Messung (tragbare Datenlogger): Converting 5V USB or 12V bench power to 1.3V for precision ADCs. A test equipment maker reported ??the ??2% output accuracy reduced data logger errors by 70%, meeting our clients?? strict calibration standards.??
• Energy and Power (Solar Inverters): Step-down 24V solar panel power to 1.3V for inverter control circuits. A renewable energy firm shared ??the 3A output handles peak loads, and thermal pad prevents overheating in outdoor inverter enclosures.??
• Sicherheit und Überwachung (High-Power-Kameras): Regulating 12V POE power to 1.3V for camera processors. A security firm confirmed ??the regulator??s 92% efficiency cuts heat in camera housings, and 3A output supports 4K video processing.??

Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQ)

Why is the 4.5V?C40V input range important for automotive ECUs?

Automotive batteries experience extreme voltage fluctuations-12V batteries drop to 4.5V during cold cranking and spike to 30V+ during load dumps. The A5973D013TR??s 4.5V?C40V range handles these extremes, ensuring stable 1.3V output for ECUs. An automotive engineer noted ??our old 24V-input regulator failed during cold cranking; this one works reliably, reducing ECU-related warranty claims by 95%. It also eliminates external voltage clamps, simplifying design and cutting costs.??

How does the 3A output current benefit industrial sensor arrays?

Industrial sensor arrays (e.g., 6x 0.5A pressure sensors) require 3A total current-more than lower-current regulators (??2A) can deliver. The A5973D013TR??s 3A output powers these arrays with one chip, avoiding parallel regulators that add cost and space. A factory automation designer shared ??we used two 2A regulators before; now one A5973D013TR works, cutting PCB space by 45% and component cost by 35%. This also reduces wiring complexity and failure risks in 24/7 operations.??

Can the A5973D013TR operate in high-temperature industrial environments?

Yes. Its -40??C to +125??C operating range and exposed thermal pad in the TO252-5 package handle high-temperature industrial settings (factory floors reaching 60??C). The thermal pad dissipates heat 25% better than standard packages, keeping the regulator within safe temperatures at 3A output. A factory maintenance manager confirmed ??our factory runs at 55??C, and the regulator stays 85??C-well below its 125??C max. We??ve had zero thermal shutdowns in 3 years, minimizing costly downtime.??

What value does the ??2% output accuracy add for test equipment?

Test equipment (data loggers, oscilloscopes) uses precision components like analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) that require stable, accurate power. The A5973D013TR??s fixed 1.3V output with ??2% accuracy ensures consistent power for ADCs, reducing measurement errors. A test equipment engineer noted ??our data loggers had 10% error with a ??5% regulator; this one cuts error to 3%, meeting our clients?? ISO 9001 standards. No more manual calibration adjustments, saving time and labor for our technicians.??

How does overcurrent protection safeguard industrial systems?

Industrial systems often face overloads (e.g., a sensor short-circuiting to 24V power) that can damage regulators and downstream components. The A5973D013TR??s overcurrent protection (3.5A typical) shuts down temporarily when current exceeds safe levels, preventing permanent damage. An industrial sensor maker shared ??before this regulator, short circuits destroyed 15+ sensors monthly; now the regulator recovers automatically, and sensors stay intact-saving $12,000 annually in replacement parts and reducing maintenance costs.??