STMicroelectronics L7985A 5V LDO Regulator, TO220 Package for Industrial Power Systems

STMicroelectronics L7985A Industrial-Grade 5V LDO Voltage Regulator Overview

The STMicroelectronics L7985A is a robust, industrial-qualified fixed-output Low-Dropout (LDO) voltage regulator engineered for B2B applications demanding high current capacity and thermal resilience-including Industrial Automation (PLCs, motor control units), Internet of Things (IoT) sensor hubs, and Energy and Power (solar inverter auxiliary circuits). Designed to convert a 6V?C40V input range to a precise 5V output (with 1.5A continuous current capacity), it delivers consistent, low-ripple power to voltage-sensitive components like industrial microcontrollers, IoT wireless transceivers, and solar inverter control ICs. Integrating a thermal shutdown, overcurrent protection, short-circuit protection, and reverse polarity protection into a durable TO220 (Transistor Outline 220) through-hole package (compatible with external heatsinks), it operates reliably across -40??C to +150??C-making it ideal for engineers prioritizing high current, wide voltage range, and heat management in harsh industrial or outdoor environments.

As a leading power management product from STMicroelectronics-a global expert in industrial semiconductors with 35+ years of power IC expertise-it meets strict quality standards: RoHS 2 compliance, ISO 9001 certification, IEC 61000-6-2 industrial EMC compliance, and 3,000+ hours of durability testing (including high-temperature cycling and voltage spike stress). Senior engineers at a top industrial automation firm endorse it, noting: ??The L7985A??s 1.5A current handles our PLC motor drivers, while its heatsink compatibility keeps it cool in 80??C factories-reducing unexpected downtime by 38%.?? For more industrial-grade power regulators, visit IC Manufacturer.

Technical Parameters of STMicroelectronics L7985A

Key Technical Features of L7985A LDO Regulator

• 1.5A continuous current: Powers high-load industrial components (e.g., PLC motor drivers) without external boosters. An automation engineer reported: ??Eliminates 2 extra current modules-cuts PCB space by 45% and assembly time by 28%.??
• 40V load-dump protection: Withstands industrial voltage spikes (common during machinery startup), avoiding IC damage. A factory tech noted: ??Old 30V regulators failed 14% of the time during spikes-this one has 0% failures.??
• TO220 heatsink compatibility: Lowers thermal resistance to 20??C/W, preventing overheating. A plant manager shared: ??With a heatsink, it stays at 95??C in 80??C factories-standard TO220 units hit 150??C and shut down.??
• -40??C to +150??C operating range: Performs in extreme industrial environments (e.g., cold warehouses, hot factory floors). An energy firm confirmed: ??Works flawlessly in -30??C solar farms and 75??C inverter rooms-no performance drops.??
• 0.18mA shutdown current: Extends battery life in IoT sensors and standby industrial equipment. An IoT firm explained: ??In standby, it uses 0.18mA-extends 12V sensor battery life by 35%, cutting replacement costs by 30%.??

Advantages of L7985A vs. Typical LDO Regulators

Compared to low-current LDOs, narrow-input ICs, and non-heatsink-compatible packages, the L7985A delivers three critical benefits for B2B industrial and IoT designs-backed by real customer feedback:

1. 1.5A current outperforms low-current alternatives: Most standard industrial LDOs max at 1.0A, requiring external current boosters for high-load components like PLC motor drivers. The L7985A??s 1.5A capacity eliminates this. An industrial automation firm said: ??Our PLC motor driver draws 1.2A-old 1.0A LDOs needed a $2.50 current booster, adding 45% to component costs. This L7985A handles the load directly, cutting per-unit costs by $2.30. With 10,000 PLCs annually, we save $23,000. Fewer parts also reduce assembly errors by 22%.??

2. 40V input range beats narrow-input regulators: Low-cost LDOs often max at 30V, failing during 35V+ spikes from industrial machinery or solar inverters. The L7985A??s 40V max handles these. An energy firm confirmed: ??Our 24V solar inverter system spikes to 38V during cloudy-to-sunny transitions-old 30V regulators failed 14% of the time, causing 3.2 hours of daily downtime. This regulator has 0% failures, boosting solar energy output by 8% annually and adding $140,000 in revenue.??

3. Heatsink compatibility prevents downtime vs. standard TO220: Standard TO220 LDOs (without heatsink support) overheat in 80??C factories, triggering thermal shutdowns that halt production. The L7985A??s TO220 design works with off-the-shelf heatsinks. A manufacturing plant shared: ??Our old TO220 regulator caused 4.5 hours of daily PLC downtime in 80??C conditions. This L7985A with a $2 heatsink stays at 95??C, no shutdowns. Production efficiency rose by 9%, and we saved $160,000 in lost output annually.??

Typical Applications of STMicroelectronics L7985A

The L7985A excels in high-current, industrial-grade power conversion-proven in these key B2B use cases:

• Industrial Automation (PLCs): Steps down 24V factory power to 5V motor driver. An industrial firm confirmed: ??1.5A current handles loads, heatsink keeps it cool-PLC uptime hit 99.8%.??
• Internet of Things (IoT) Sensor Hubs: Converts 12V battery power to 5V multi-sensor arrays. An IoT firm noted: ??Low shutdown current extends battery life by 35%, wide input handles spikes-sensor hub failures down 32%.??
• Energy and Power (Solar Inverters): Powers 5V control circuit from 36V solar panel. An energy firm reported: ??40V protection handles spikes, overcurrent safeguards inverter-downtime cut by 38%.??
• Industrial Automation (Motor Control Units): Regulates 12V power to 5V motor controller IC. A factory tech firm shared: ??1.5A current handles startup loads, thermal shutdown prevents damage-motor failure rates down 42%.??
• Home Appliances (Large Washing Machines): Converts 24V adapter power to 5V display/12V pump. An appliance brand confirmed: ??Heatsink prevents overheating, low ripple ensures stable operation-service calls cut 45%.??

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About L7985A

Why is 1.5A continuous current important for industrial PLCs?

Industrial PLCs power motor drivers that draw up to 1.2A during operation-low-current LDOs (??1.0A) need external boosters, adding cost, PCB space, and failure points. The L7985A??s 1.5A capacity handles this. An automation engineer said: ??Our old 1.0A LDO needed a $2.50 booster-this model eliminates it, cutting per-unit costs by $2.30. With 10,000 PLCs, we save $23,000. Fewer parts also mean 22% fewer assembly errors, reducing rework time by 15 hours weekly.??

Can the L7985A handle 40V input spikes in solar inverter systems?

Yes. Its 6V?C40V input range is engineered to withstand 40V spikes-common in solar inverters when clouds clear and panel voltage surges. Most low-cost LDOs max at 30V and fail here. An energy firm confirmed: ??Our 24V solar system spikes to 38V-old 30V regulators failed 14% of the time, causing 3.2 hours of daily downtime. This regulator maintains stable 5V output, no shutdowns. Solar energy output rose by 8% annually, adding $140,000 in revenue and improving our client retention rate by 25%.??

What value does TO220 heatsink compatibility add for factory environments?

Factory environments often reach 80??C, and standard TO220 LDOs (without heatsinks) overheat to 150??C, triggering shutdowns that halt production. The L7985A??s TO220 design works with off-the-shelf heatsinks to lower thermal resistance to 20??C/W. A plant manager shared: ??Our old TO220 converter caused 4.5 hours of daily PLC downtime. This L7985A with a $2 heatsink stays at 95??C, no shutdowns. Production efficiency rose by 9%, and we moved 600 more units monthly-adding $160,000 in annual revenue.??

Why is ??2% output accuracy critical for industrial motor control units?

Industrial motor control units need precise 5V power to maintain motor speed and torque-even 3% voltageƫ?? can cause 10%+ motor performance errors, leading to uneven production or equipment wear. The L7985A??s ??2% accuracy fixes this. A factory maintenance manager noted: ??Our old ??5% LDO caused 12% of motor speed errors-this model cuts errors to 1%. Motor wear decreased by 30%, extending service life from 2 years to 2.6 years. Maintenance costs dropped by $85,000 annually.??

How does low shutdown current benefit IoT sensor hubs?

IoT sensor hubs use batteries that need to last 6+ months in the field-high shutdown current drains batteries fast, increasing replacement costs and field service time. The L7985A??s 0.18mA shutdown current uses 97% less power than 6mA LDOs. An IoT firm confirmed: ??Our old 6mA LDO lasted 4 months-this model uses 0.18mA, extending life to 5.4 months. Battery replacements dropped by 35%, saving $65,000 in annual field service costs. Clients also report 28% fewer data gaps due to stable power.??