Adjustable shunt reference — the selection mistake it avoids
It delivers a programmable output from 2.495 V up to 36 V, with a 100 mA cathode current capability and a tight ±2.2% reference tolerance. The 8-SOIC package suits surface-mount assembly on mixed-signal boards where a precision voltage reference or error amplifier is needed in a power supply or linear regulator feedback loop.
The 2.495 V minimum output sets the lower bound for the reference voltage; the 36 V maximum covers most low-to-medium voltage rails in telecom and industrial supplies. The 100 mA output current rating is the sink capability — the TL431CDRE4 pulls current from the cathode to regulate the output, so the load and resistor divider must stay within that ceiling. The ±2.2% tolerance on the internal reference means the output voltage at the divider node will vary by that amount over temperature and lot. The 1 mA minimum cathode current ensures the device stays in its linear region.
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