It provides a 2.495V reference between the cathode and anode when the reference pin is tied to the cathode, and can be set to any higher voltage up to 36 V with two external resistors. The ±1% tolerance is tight enough for most power-supply feedback loops and low-cost precision references in commercial electronics.
The 2.495V minimum output is the internal bandgap voltage; any output above that is set by the resistor divider ratio. The 15 mA output current is the maximum cathode current — enough to bias an optocoupler LED or drive a small load, but not for powering downstream circuitry. The 1 mA minimum cathode current must be maintained for regulation; if the load drops below that, add a pull-down resistor to ground.
Supplied in SOT-23-3 (TO-236-3 / SC-59) surface-mount package. Standard SOT-23 footprint; no thermal pad concerns at 15 mA. Store the reels dry — MSL level is typical for this package class, but check the reel label for floor life.
Active lifecycle status per TI, ROHS3 compliant.