LM7806

The LM7806 is a fixed positive linear voltage regulator in the 78xx family that provides a regulated 6-volt output. It is widely used to generate a stable supply rail for microcontrollers, sensors, and small electronic circuits. The device is available in several packaging options, including TO-220, as well as surface-mount variants, with typical current ratings up to about 1.5 A when properly heat-sunk. Input voltage can be higher than the output by a comfortable margin, commonly up to about 35 V, with a dropout voltage around 2 V at moderate load.

Electrical characteristics of the LM7806 include a nominal output of 6 V, a maximum output current around 1.5 A, and a quiescent (ground) current that amounts to a few milliamps. The regulator dissipates heat according to P = (Vin − Vout) × Iout, so adequate heat sinking is essential for higher currents or larger input-to-output differentials. The device typically features short-circuit protection and thermal shutdown to prevent damage under fault conditions. The regulator’s thermal and dropout specifications influence its suitability for battery-powered or fluctuating-input applications.

Pinout and usage: in a standard TO-220 package, viewed from the front, the pins are arranged left-to-right as Input, Ground, Output, with the metal tab connected to Ground. For stability, input and output capacitors are recommended close to the regulator: a typical input capacitor around 0.33 µF and an output capacitor around 0.1 µF. Larger electrolytics (for example, 10 µF or more) may improve transient response and reduce output ripple when the regulator is located far from the supply or under varying loads.

Variants of the LM7806 include different package styles and manufacturer-specific suffixes (such as LM7806CV). The negative counterpart is the LM7906.