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LM317: How will LM317 perform if working in an ambient temperature of -30deg C with no/very light load?

Part Number: LM317

Hello,

LM317 has a recommended operating temperature range between 0 to 125 deg C. If in the situation that the ambient temperature is far below (-30 degC for example) and the LDO has very light load, meaning very minimum self-heating. How will be LM317 performed in this situation? Does that cause only performance degradation or it simply does not function at all?

Thanks

  • Hi Qingxuang,

    The LM317 is only tested, and guaranteed by design if specifically noted, for the ranges 0-125 deg C. However, I have taken a small sample size of bench data to see the parts stability and transient performance and found that down to -30C the device functions normally and found no measurable difference in spec performance. By utilizing the device outside of these bound you can no longer expect the datasheet performance, and the small sample size of 10 units I tested is not representative of the device as a whole. That being said, the device performed well in my testing and we believe that it should operate well under these conditions.

    Regards,

    John