The device has an internal current-limit circuit that protects the regulator during transient high-load current faults or shorting events. The current limit is a brick-wall scheme. In a high-load current fault, the brick-wall scheme limits the output current to the current limit (I_CL). I_CL is listed in the Electrical Characteristics table.

The output voltage is not regulated when the device is in current limit. When a current limit event occurs, the device begins to heat up because of the increase in power dissipation. When the device is in brick-wall current limit, the pass transistor dissipates power [(V_IN – V_OUT) × I_CL]. For more information on current limits, see the Know Your Limits application note. The LDO is not designed to operate in a steady-state current limit.

Figure 6-3 shows a diagram of the current limit.

Figure 6-3 Current Limit