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LM2930 max current

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: LM2930, LM2937

Hello,

i am not sure how much current can i get from LM2930... is it possible to get more than 150mA? i have read datesheet and it is not obvious for me.

I have an old controller with lm2930 onboard and at the moment it takes 90mA. I need to connect led display which takes about 100-120 mA more. Will LM2930 (to-220 pack with radiator) handle 200mA??

thanks in advance...

 

  • “… is it possible to get more than 150mA?...”

    150mA is the maximum current for the output voltage +/-10% tolerance rating. Primary limitations are the pass transistor size, Vin-Vout differential voltage, and the junction temperature (Tj).

    You ~might~ be able to get 180mA, depends on external factors and how much voltage drop you can tolerate. As for 200mA, I'm guessing that will not happen.

    I would recommend LM2937ET-5.0 or LM2937ET-8.0. This is same package and pin-out as LM2930T, but rated for 500mA.

    Will LM2937 (TO-220 package with heat-sink) handle 200mA?

    That depends on the power being dissipated (Pdiss, W) in the TO-220 package, the ambient temperature (Ta), and the thermal rating of the heat-sink that you attach to the TO-220 tab (Theta(sa), °C/W).

         Pdiss = ( (Vin – Vout) x Iout )

         Theta(ja)= ((Tj - Ta) / Pdiss)

         Theta(sa) = Theta(ja) - Theta(jc)

         LM2937 TO-220 Theta(jc) is 3°C/W

    So this is where I start guessing …

    If your ambient temperature is 25°C, Vin= 14V, Vout =5V, and Iout= 200mA, then

             Pdiss = ( (Vin – Vout) x Iout ) = ( (14V – 5V) x 0.2A ) = 1.8W

             Theta(ja) ≤ ( (Tj - Ta) / Pdiss ) = ( ( 125°C – 25°C) / 1.8W) = 55.6°C/W

             Theta(sa) = Theta(ja) - Theta(jc) = 55.6°C/W - 3°C/W = 52.6°C/W

    A heat-sink to ambient thermal resistance rating (Theta(sa)) of 52.6°C/W, or lower, would suffice for this example. That seems fairly modest and could probably be achieved with a simple 1inch x 1inch piece of PCB with copper on both sides.

     

  • thanx a lot.

    unfortunately i cannot replace LM2930 with any other regulator. It is inside controller that i dont have access to. . I'll try to lower current consumption.