2.5V precision anchor for ADC/DAC reference rails
The MAX6225ACSA+T is a series buried-zener voltage reference from Analog Devices that delivers a fixed 2.5 V output with ±0.04% initial accuracy — tight enough to set the full-scale range of a 16-bit SAR ADC without external trimming.
Input range and output drive — what the 8V to 36V supply means on the bench
The input voltage spans 8 V to 36 V, so the part runs from a standard 12 V or 24 V industrial rail with headroom to spare — the buried-zener topology needs at least 5.5 V above the output to regulate, and the 8 V minimum covers that margin. Output current is rated 15 mA maximum — enough to bias the reference input of a multichannel ADC array or a string of comparators, but not enough to power external loads. Plan a separate buffer if the reference node must source more than a few mA. Quiescent supply current is 3 mA typical, which is modest for a buried-zener design — the trade-off is that the zener bias current is always flowing, so the part does not have a shutdown pin. For battery-powered gear that sleeps, consider a series reference with an enable pin instead.
8-SOIC footprint — hand-solderable and board-friendly
The 8-SOIC (0.154-inch body width, 3.90 mm) package is one of the easiest small-outline ICs to hand-solder — the 1.27 mm pin pitch leaves room for a fine-tip iron and a loupe inspection. No thermal pad, no exposed paddle, so the layout is straightforward. Available in Tape & Reel (TR) or Cut Tape (CT) options — the CT variant is handy for prototyping where you only need a handful of parts and do not want to spool a full reel.