Shunt reference for precision biasing
It provides a stable 1.24 V minimum output, adjustable up to 6 V via two external resistors, with a guaranteed ±1% tolerance. The 15 mA output current and 80 µA cathode current suit it for biasing op-amp supplies, setting comparator thresholds, or providing a precision reference in low-power analog circuits.
Output current and cathode bias — sizing the resistor
The TLV431ACLPE3 sinks up to 15 mA at the cathode, which sets the upper limit for the load it can drive or the current through the bias resistor. The minimum cathode current is 80 µA — below that the reference may not regulate. When selecting the series resistor from the supply rail, size it so the cathode current stays between 80 µA and 15 mA across the full input voltage and load range. For a typical 5 V rail and a 1.24 V output, a 1 kΩ resistor gives about 3.8 mA bias, well within the window.
Package and mounting — through-hole rework
The TO-92-3 (TO-226AA) through-hole package is a standard three-lead transistor outline. It is hand-solderable and rework-friendly, making it a practical choice for prototyping, repair, and low-volume production. The bulk shipping form means parts arrive loose in a bag — no tape-and-reel for automated pick-and-place. For high-volume assembly, consider the surface-mount SOT-23 variant of the TLV431 family.
