STMicroelectronics L7987L Low-Dropout Regulator, TO252 Package for Automotive & Industrial Use

STMicroelectronics L7987L High-Current Low-Dropout Regulator Overview

The STMicroelectronics L7987L is a rugged, high-current low-dropout (LDO) linear regulator engineered for harsh B2B applications-including Automotive Electronics (infotainment systems, sensor modules), Industrial Automation (PLCs, motor control units), and Home Appliances (high-voltage kitchen devices). Designed to convert a 6V?C36V input voltage range to a precise, fixed 5V output (with 0.8A continuous current capacity), it delivers stable power to voltage-sensitive components like automotive ECUs, industrial microcontrollers, and appliance control circuits. Integrating a arrêt thermique, overcurrent protection, short-circuit protection, and reverse polarity protection into a durable TO252 (Surface-Mount Transistor 252) package, it operates reliably across -40??C to +150??C-making it a top choice for engineers prioritizing input voltage flexibility, high current handling, and thermal resilience in automotive engine bays or industrial factory environments.

As a trusted power management product from STMicroelectronics-a global leader in semiconductor solutions for automotive and industrial sectors with decades of expertise-this regulator meets strict quality standards (AEC-Q100 Grade 1 certification for automotive use, RoHS 2 compliance, and ISO 9001 certification) and undergoes 2,000+ hours of durability testing. Senior engineers at a leading automotive electronics firm endorse it, noting: ??The L7987L??s 6V?C36V input range handles our vehicle??s 12V battery spikes (up to 32V) and its TO252 package keeps it cool in 60??C engine bays-cutting infotainment failures by 35%.?? For more reliable automotive and industrial-focused ICs, visit Fabricant de circuits intégrés.

Technical Parameters of STMicroelectronics L7987L

Key Technical Features of L7987L Low-Dropout Regulator

• Wide 6V?C36V input range, compatible with 12V/24V automotive batteries and 24V industrial power supplies. An automotive engineer reported: ??This range handles our vehicle??s 12V battery spikes up to 32V-our old 24V-max regulator failed 18% of the time, causing infotainment glitches.??
• 0.8A continuous output current, powering high-load automotive/industrial components. An industrial tech firm shared: ??We use it to power 5V PLC motor control circuits-its 0.8A capacity eliminates the need for a current booster, cutting component count by 40%.??
• TO252 package with 30??C/W thermal resistance, 3x better than SOT223 (90??C/W). A factory automation designer noted: ??In 60??C factories, this package keeps the regulator at 85??C-SOT223 units hit 130??C, triggering thermal shutdown and 3 hours of daily production downtime.??
• ??2% output accuracy, ensuring precision for voltage-sensitive microcontrollers. An automotive parts maker confirmed: ??This accuracy prevents our infotainment MCU from resetting-old regulators with ??5% accuracy caused 12% of system resets during driving.??
• AEC-Q100 Grade 1 certification, ensuring reliability in extreme automotive temperatures (-40??C to +150??C). A vehicle electronics firm explained: ??It works flawlessly in -35??C winters and +60??C summers-our old non-certified regulator had a 20% failure rate in extreme temps.??

Advantages of L7987L vs. Typical Alternative Low-Dropout Regulators

Compared to narrow-input LDOs, low-current regulators, and non-automotive-grade ICs, the L7987L delivers three critical benefits for B2B automotive and industrial designs-backed by real customer feedback:

First, its wide 6V?C36V input range outperforms narrow-input LDOs. Most basic automotive LDOs max out at 24V, failing during voltage spikes (common in vehicles with high-power accessories like winches). The L7987L??s 36V max handles these spikes. An automotive electronics firm explained: ??Our vehicle??s 12V battery spikes to 32V when the winch runs-our old 24V LDO failed 18% of the time, causing infotainment blackouts. This regulator has 0% failures, improving driver experience and reducing warranty claims by 40%.??

Second, its 0.8A current capacity outperforms low-current LDOs. Most standard LDOs max at 0.5A, requiring external boosters for high-load components like automotive infotainment systems. The L7987L??s 0.8A capacity eliminates this. An infotainment maker confirmed: ??Our old 0.5A LDO needed a booster to power our 0.6A display-adding 2 extra components and 35% PCB space. This regulator handles it alone, shrinking our infotainment unit??s size by 28% and cutting assembly time by 22%.??

Third, its TO252 thermal performance outperforms SOT223 packages. SOT223 packages (90??C/W) overheat in high-temp environments like engine bays or factories, triggering shutdowns. The TO252??s 30??C/W pad improves heat dissipation by 67%. An industrial PLC firm shared: ??Our factory runs at 60??C-SOT223 LDOs hit 130??C and shut down, but this TO252 model stays at 85??C. We??ve cut PLC downtime from 3 hours/week to 0, boosting production efficiency by 7% and saving $210,000 annually.??

Typical Applications of STMicroelectronics L7987L

The L7987L excels in rugged, high-power designs-with proven success in these key B2B use cases:

• Électronique automobile (systèmes d'infotainment): Regulating 12V battery power to 5V (MCU, display). An auto brand confirmed: ??Wide input handles spikes, 0.8A current powers display-infotainment failure rates dropped by 35%.??
• Industrial Automation (PLC Motor Control Units): Converting 24V factory power to 5V (control circuit). An industrial firm noted: ??TO252 package prevents overheating, ??2% accuracy ensures stable control-PLC uptime improved to 99.9% from 99.1%.??
• Home Appliances (High-Power Ovens): Powering 5V control panels from 12V AC-DC adapters. An appliance brand reported: ??Overcurrent protection safeguards components, thermal resilience handles oven heat-service calls cut by 40%.??
• Électronique automobile (modules de capteurs): Regulating 12V battery power to 5V (GPS, temperature sensors). A vehicle parts maker shared: ??Reverse polarity protection prevents damage, AEC-Q100 works in extreme temps-sensor error rates dropped by 95%.??
• Automatisation industrielle (bras robotisés): Converting 24V industrial power to 5V (motion control sensors). A factory tech firm confirmed: ??0.8A current handles peak loads, low dropout avoids voltage dips-robotic arm downtime reduced by 80%.??

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About L7987L

Why is AEC-Q100 Grade 1 certification important for automotive regulators?

Automotive regulators face extreme temperatures (-40??C to +150??C) in engine bays and voltage spikes from vehicle systems. Non-certified LDOs fail here, causing component damage or system glitches. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 ensures the L7987L works reliably. An automotive engineer noted: ??Our old non-certified LDO had a 20% failure rate in -35??C winters-this certified model has 0% failures. We??ve reduced warranty costs by $250,000 annually and improved customer satisfaction.??

Can the L7987L handle 24V industrial power supplies?

Yes. Its 6V?C36V input range is optimized for 24V industrial power systems (common in factories) and maintains stable 5V output even during power fluctuations (up to 30V). An industrial PLC designer confirmed: ??Our factory??s 24V power sometimes dips to 8V or spikes to 30V-this regulator handles it without shutting down. Our old 24V-max LDO failed 10% of the time during spikes, but this one has 0% failures, keeping production lines running.??

What value does the TO252 package add for high-temperature industrial environments?

Industrial environments (60??C+ in factories) cause regulators to overheat and shut down, leading to costly downtime. The TO252 package??s 30??C/W thermal resistance is 3x better than SOT223 (90??C/W), dissipating heat faster. An industrial automation firm shared: ??Our factory runs at 60??C-SOT223 LDOs hit 130??C and shut down, but this TO252 model stays at 85??C. We??ve cut PLC downtime by 3 hours/week, boosting production efficiency by 7% and saving $210,000 annually.??

Why is 0.8A continuous current capacity critical for automotive infotainment?

Automotive infotainment systems (with displays, BLE, and GPS) draw up to 0.6A peak current-low-current LDOs (0.5A max) cause voltage dips, leading to screen flicker or MCU resets. The L7987L??s 0.8A capacity eliminates this. An infotainment brand noted: ??Our old 0.5A LDO caused 12% of screen flickers during peak load-this 0.8A model has 0% flickers. We??ve improved driver satisfaction scores by 28% and reduced infotainment-related warranty claims by 35%.??

How does wide input range benefit 12V automotive battery systems?

12V automotive batteries experience spikes (up to 32V) from accessories like winches or alternator surges, and dips (down to 6V) during cold starts. Narrow-input LDOs fail here, but the L7987L??s 6V?C36V range handles these. A vehicle electronics firm confirmed: ??Our old 24V-max LDO failed 18% of the time during winch use-this regulator works flawlessly. We??ve eliminated infotainment blackouts and cut roadside assistance calls related to electrical issues by 45%.??