This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Voltage Reference category on DigiKey.com
Products in the voltage reference family are used to derive an electrical potential having a stable, well-established value from a source of more uncertain character, for use as a standard of comparison in measurement, control, and similar applications. While their functional behavior may be similar to that of linear voltage regulators used for purposes of bulk power regulation, voltage reference devices are not adapted for use as such; their performance as standards of comparison has a generally inverse relationship with increasing output current capacity or actual current drawn by a load.
SelectionCharacteristics
Reference Type: Characterizes internal device construction, which has general implications for device performance and application suitability.
Output Type: Indicates the output of the device, whether adjustable, fixed, or other.
Voltage - Output (Min/Fixed): Characterizes minimum output voltage for configurable-output devices, or nominal output voltage for fixed-output devices.
Voltage - Output (Max): For devices designed for a user-configured output voltage, the maximum output voltage to which the device’s output can be set.
Current - Output: The maximum amount of current that can be output by the device.
Tolerance: The amount by which the device’s actual output voltage can deviate from its nominal specified value due to manufacturing variation.
Temperature Coefficient: Indicates the change in electrical properties for a given change in temperature. The device is usually specified at 25 degrees Celsius as a baseline temperature.
Noise - 0.1Hz to 10Hz: Characterizes low-frequency variations in reference output voltage, typical values shown.
Noise - 10Hz to 10kHz: Characterizes variations in output voltage having frequencies between 10 Hz and 10 kHz; typical values shown.
Voltage - Input: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits that one can expect in standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Current - Supply: This represents the maximum current to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Current - Cathode: The minimum current the device must conduct to maintain output within specifications. (Specific to shunt-type references.)
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Package / Case: Indicates the type of protective case used on an electronic component to allow easy handling, installation, and protection. This selection was determined to be the closest industry standard applicable to the supplier device packaging. Typically it is best to check the actual dimensions from the datasheet rather than depend on this terminology when designing your circuit.
Supplier Device Package: This is what the manufacturer calls the package of this device. They are manufacturer-specific. It is typically best to use the actual dimensions from the datasheets rather than to go by this terminology when designing your circuit.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | AS431ANTR-G1 |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | AS431ANTR-G1DITR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Diodes Incorporated |
| DESCRIPTION | Shunt Voltage Reference IC Adjustable 2.5V 36 VV ±0.5% 100 mA SOT-23-3 |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | LT1004CZ-1.2#PBF |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | LT1004CZ-1.2#PBF-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | Analog Devices Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Shunt Voltage Reference IC Fixed 1.235V V ±0.3% 20 mA TO-92-3 |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | TL1431IDT |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | 497-4058-2-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | STMicroelectronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Shunt Voltage Reference IC Adjustable 2.5V 36 VV ±0.4% 100 mA 8-SOIC |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | MCP1501T-25E/RW |
|---|---|
| DIGI-KEY PART # | MCP1501T-25E/RWTR-ND - Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MANUFACTURER | Microchip Technology |
| DESCRIPTION | Series Voltage Reference IC Fixed 2.5V V ±0.1% 20 mA 8-WDFN (2x2) |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
From The Meter Bar to The Band Gap Voltage Reference
Articles
Voltage References Signal and Data Conversion
Series Voltage References Refine Accuracy
Product Training Modules
Voltage Reference Basics - Analog Devices
Selecting Voltage References - Texas Instruments