Shunt reference with a ±1% tolerance — what it buys you
The TLV431AILPR is a low-voltage adjustable shunt reference from Texas Instruments, the low-voltage sibling of the classic TL431. Its ±1% tolerance sets the worst-case output deviation at 25 °C — for a 2.5 V setpoint that is ±25 mV, tight enough for most comparator thresholds and regulator feedback dividers without trimming.
Output range and cathode current — where it fits
Output is adjustable from a minimum of 1.24 V up to 6 V, set by two external resistors. The 80 µA minimum cathode current lets you bias the reference with a high-value resistor, keeping quiescent draw low in battery-powered circuits.
Housed in a TO-92-3 through-hole package with formed leads, it is a direct drop-in for legacy board layouts that avoid SMT.
