The L78M series of three-terminal positive regulators is available in TO-220, TO-220FP,DPAK and IPAK packages and with several fixed output voltages, making it useful in awide range of applications. These regulators can provide local on-card regulation,eliminating the distribution problems associated with single point regulation. Each typeemploys internal current limiting, thermal shutdown and safe area protection, resultingit essentially indestructible. If adequate heat sinking is provided, they can deliverover 0.5 A output current. Although designed primarily as fixed voltage regulators,these devices can be used with external components to obtain adjustable voltage andcurrents.
