Electronics > Beginners
In need to replace a JRC or STMicro 317 Voltage Regulator. Which brand is best?
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zdelarosa00:
Which brand is best? In my knowledge, the big names that make the part are JRC, TI and STMicroelectronics.

I don't know with facts, but my personal ranking in terms of quality/performance(?) would be:
1.-JRC
2.-Texas Instruments
3.-STMicroelectronics

In terms of brand name, reputation, quality, known facts, numbers, performance of the parts, scope of the usual equipment that has them (demands of the application). But I really don't know what can change from brand to brand talking about exactly the same part, apart from volume and packaging plastic.

I really don't see JRC around much though. So maybe I'm biased by popularity.
floobydust:
I find a difference between brands, some makes of LM317 and 78xx are very noisy. Fairchild is shit, LT the best but very expensive.
If it's a noise critical application, like audio or metrology, measure it with a scope and be prepared for huge differences in quality.


floobydust:
Some 1-lot Digikey $USD prices:
LT317AT(LT) $4.85
LM317BT (ST) $0.64 "single gauge" thin tab TO-220, absolute garbage
LM317T-DG (ST) $0.64 "double gauge"
LM317T (On-Semi) $0.71 "single gauge" thin tab TO-220, absolute garbage

The limitation is a 3-pin package can't have a bypass cap across the reference. But these IC's spoiled us they are so convenient.

The low noise Super Regulators from Walt Jung's work uses low noise op-amps AD825, AD848, AD797 etc. - all expensive.
I haven't tried using a cheapo NE5534 or similar with discrete pass transistor.
wraper:

--- Quote from: floobydust on October 12, 2019, 09:50:50 pm ---LM317T (On-Semi) $0.71 "single gauge" thin tab TO-220, absolute garbage

--- End quote ---
Performance wise it does not matter. And it's not ON semi only who does this. ST does exactly the same thing. Though you probably should avoid mounting it with a screw and use spring clip instead.
floobydust:
There's a thermal performance hit - try it. You won't find thermal data on this cornball package it's that bad.
Isn't it strange that the single gauge tab saves 55% on copper but isn't used on anything else but these voltage reg IC's LM317, 78xx. No thin tab DPAK or D2PAK out there. Hmmm.
I find the thin tab warps if you aren't very careful with torque tightening the screw. Single gauge it's just garbage all round and the rants on EDN concur.
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