Design Considerations:
The NTE953 adjustable voltage regulator has an output voltage which varies from VCONTROL to typically
(R1 + R2)
VIN –2V by VOUT = VCONTROL
R2
The nominal reference in the NTE953 is 5.0V. If we allow 1.0mA to flow in the control string to elimi-
nate bias current effects, we can make R2 = 2.2kΩ. The output voltage is then:
VOUT = (R1 + R2)V, where R1 and R2 are in kΩs.
Example: If R2 = 5kΩ and R1 = 10kΩ then
VOUT = 15V nominal
By proper wiring of the feedback resistors, load regulation of the device can be improved significantly.
The NTE953 voltage regulator contains thermal–overload protection from excessive power, internal
short–circuit protection which limits each circuit’s maximum current, and output transistor safe–area
protection for reducing the output current as the voltage across each pass transistor is increased.
Although the internal power dissipation is limited, the junction temperature must be kept below the
maximum specified temperature in order to meet data sheet specifications. To calculate the maxi-
mum junction temperature or heat sink required, the following thermal resistance values should be
used:
Typ
°C/W
Max
°C/W
Typ
°C/W
Max
°C/W
ΘJC
ΘJC
ΘJA
ΘJA
7.5
11
75
80
Solving for TJ:
PD(max) =
TJ(max) – TA or TJ(max) – TA
ΘJC + ΘCA
ΘJA
(Without a heat sink)
ΘCA = ΘCS + ΘSA
TJ = TA + PD (ΘJC + ΘCA) or
TA + PD ΘJA (Without heat sink)
Where:
TJ =
TA =
PD =
ΘJA =
ΘJC =
ΘCA =
ΘCS =
ΘSA =
Junction Temperature
Ambient Temperature
Power Dissipation
Junction to Ambient Thermal Resistance
Junction to Case Thermal Resistance
Case to Ambient Thermal Resistance
Case to Heat Sink Resistance
Heat Sink to Ambient Thermal Resistance