7.3.3 Foldback Current Limit

The TLV713 has an internal foldback current limit that helps protect the regulator during fault conditions. The current supplied by the device is gradually reducedwhile the output voltage decreases. When the output is shorted, the LDO supplies a typical current of 40 mA. Output voltage is not regulated when the device is in current limit, and is calculated by Equation 2:

The PMOS pass transistor dissipates [(V_IN – V_OUT) × I_LIMIT] until thermal shutdown is triggered and the device turns off. The device is turned on by the internal thermal shutdown circuit during cool down. If the fault condition continues, the device cycles between current limit and thermal shutdown. See the Thermal Information section for more details.

The TLV713 PMOS pass element has a built-in body diode that conducts current when the voltage at OUT exceeds the voltage at IN. This current is not limited, so if extended reverse voltage operation is anticipated, external limiting to 5% of the rated output current is recommended.