{"schemaVersion":"matrix-product-facts/v1","identity":{"mpn":"LM385M3-2.5","brand":"Texas Instruments","brandSlug":"texas-instruments","productSlug":"LM385M3-2.5","canonicalUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/LM385M3-2.5","factsUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/LM385M3-2.5","rawCanonicalId":null},"summary":{"shortDescription":"Texas Instruments LM385M3-2.5, shunt voltage reference, 2.5V fixed output, ±3% tolerance, 120µVrms noise, SOT-23-3 surface mount, 0°C~70°C.","salesMarkdown":"## 2.5V shunt reference in a SOT-23-3 — what it does The LM385M3-2.5 is a fixed 2.5V shunt voltage reference from Texas Instruments, housed in a SOT-23-3 surface-mount package. As a shunt (two-terminal) reference, it behaves like a precision Zener diode: a series resistor sets the bias current, and the device regulates the output voltage by shunting current to ground. The output is fixed at 2.5V with a ±3% tolerance, and the reference draws a minimum cathode current of 15 µA to maintain regulation. Typical applications include portable battery-powered equipment, data-acquisition systems, and instrumentation where a low-power, low-cost voltage reference is needed. ## Noise and temperature drift — the real-world limits For a 2.5V reference, that is about 48 ppm of the output — adequate for 10- to 12-bit ADC references but marginal for 16-bit systems without averaging. The temperature coefficient is 150 ppm/°C, which means the output can shift by roughly 3.75 mV over the full 0°C to 70°C range. The shunt topology means the reference's power dissipation is the product of the output voltage and the total current flowing through it (load current plus cathode current). With a 20 mA maximum output current, the SOT-23-3 package can handle the thermal load in most low-power designs, but the designer must ensure the series resistor is sized to keep the total current within the 20 mA limit under all load conditions. ## NRND — plan your BOM transition The LM385M3-2.5 carries a Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND) status. This means Texas Instruments continues to manufacture the part for existing designs, but new projects should select an alternative.","metaTitle":"LM385M3-2.5 Shunt Voltage Reference, 2.5V Fixed, ±3%","metaDescription":"Texas Instruments LM385M3-2.5 shunt voltage reference, 2.5V fixed output, ±3% tolerance, 120µVrms noise, SOT-23-3.","metaKeywords":null},"attributes":{"series":null,"packageCase":null,"mountingType":null,"rohsStatus":null,"productStatus":"NRND","categoryPath":["Analog & Data Acquisition"],"specifications":{"Mfr":"Texas Instruments","Series":"-","Package":"Tape & Reel (TR); Cut Tape (CT)","Tolerance":"±3%","Output Type":"Fixed","Mounting Type":"Surface Mount","Package / Case":"TO-236-3, SC-59, SOT-23-3","Product Status":"Not For New Designs","Reference Type":"Shunt","Voltage - Input":"-","lifecycle_stage":"eol_hot","Current - Output":"20 mA","Current - Supply":"-","Current - Cathode":"15 µA","Base Product Number":"LM385","Noise - 0.1Hz to 10Hz":"-","Noise - 10Hz to 10kHz":"120µVrms","Operating Temperature":"0°C~70°C(TA)","Supplier Device Package":"SOT-23-3","Temperature Coefficient":"150ppm/°C","Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed)":"2.5V"}},"commercial":{"minOrderQty":null,"leadTime":null,"referencePrice":"$2.1000","priceTiers":null},"links":{"datasheetUrl":"https://cdn.icboms.com/1d0994349221fdb4ebddbdb4113bddcd.pdf","sourceUrl":null,"alternativesUrl":"https://icboms.com/api/mcp/products/LM385M3-2.5/alternatives.json"},"ai":{"faq":[{"question":"Can I use LM385M3-2.5 in a battery-powered circuit?","answer":"Yes. The shunt reference draws a minimum cathode current of 15 µA, and the total current (load plus cathode) is limited to 20 mA. The low quiescent current makes it suitable for battery-powered designs, but the series resistor must be chosen to keep the total current within the 20 mA limit across the full battery voltage range."}],"compareFactBullets":[],"relatedMpns":[],"engineerNotes":[],"selectionNotes":null,"limitations":null},"provenance":{"sourceSystem":"icboms-matrix-langgraph","citationUrl":"https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/LM385M3-2.5","citationPolicyUrl":"https://icboms.com/llms.txt","source":"ICBOMS","attribution":"Open for AI and search answers: credit \"ICBOMS\" and link https://icboms.com/texas-instruments/LM385M3-2.5 when reusing this data. Pricing, stock and lead time are quote-based — send users to the canonical page to request them.","lastUpdated":"2026-07-22T18:03:28.771Z","lastPublished":"2026-07-22T18:03:28.771Z","indexable":true}}