Specification	LM338K STEEL

Current - Output	5 A
Mounting Type	Through Hole
Number of Regulators	1
Operating Temperature [Max]	125 °C
Operating Temperature [Min]	0 °C
Output Configuration	Positive
Output Type	Adjustable
Package / Case	TO-3, TO-204AA
PSRR [Max]	75 dB
PSRR [Min]	60 dB
Supplier Device Package	TO-3-2
Voltage - Output (Max) [Max]	32 V
Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed)	1.24 V

LM338-MIL Series

5A Adjustable Output Linear Regulator

Part	Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed)	Output Configuration	Supplier Device Package	Mounting Type	PSRR [Max]	PSRR [Min]	Output Type	Package / Case	Operating Temperature [Max]	Number of Regulators	Current - Output	Voltage - Output (Max) [Max]	Protection Features	Output Type
Texas Instruments LM338K STEEL	1.24 V	Positive	TO-3-2	Through Hole	75 dB	60 dB	Adjustable	TO-204AA TO-3	125 °C	1	5 A	32 V
Texas Instruments LM338 MWC		Positive	Wafersale	Surface Mount	75 dB	60 dB		Die	125 °C	1	5 A		Over Temperature	1.81 mOhm
Texas Instruments LM338K STEEL/NOPB	1.24 V	Positive	TO-3-2	Through Hole	75 dB	60 dB	Adjustable	TO-204AA TO-3	125 °C	1	5 A	32 V

Pricing

Prices provided here are for design reference only. For realtime values and availability, please visit the distributors directly

Distributor	Package	Quantity	$

Digikey	Tray	1	$ 87.68
		10	$ 70.00
		25	$ 65.48
		50	$ 83.69
		80	$ 63.74
		100	$ 81.54
Texas Instruments	TRAY NON-STD	1	$ 77.99
		100	$ 75.65
		250	$ 62.98
		1000	$ 58.64

Description

General part information

LM338-MIL Series

The LM338-MIL series of adjustable 3-terminal positive voltage regulators is capable of supplying in excess of 5 A over a 1.2-V to 32-V output range. They are exceptionally easy to use and require only 2 resistors to set the output voltage. Careful circuit design has resulted in outstanding load and line regulation, comparable to many commercial power supplies. The LM338-MIL family is supplied in a standard 3-lead transistor package.

A unique feature of the LM338-MIL family is time-dependent current limiting. The current limit circuitry allows peak currents of up to 12 A to be drawn from the regulator for short periods of time. This allows the LM338-MIL to be used with heavy transient loads and speeds start-up under full-load conditions. Under sustained loading conditions, the current limit decreases to a safe value protecting the regulator. Also included on the chip are thermal overload protection and safe area protection for the power transistor. Overload protection remains functional even if the adjustment (ADJ) pin is accidentally disconnected.

Normally, no capacitors are needed unless the device is situated more than 6 inches from the input filter capacitors in which case an input bypass is needed. An output capacitor can be added to improve transient response, while bypassing the adjustment pin increases the ripple rejection of the regulator.

Documents

Technical documentation and resources

LM338-MIL 5-Amp Adjustable Regulators datasheet

Data sheet