Thermal shutdown protection disables the output when the junction temperature rises to approximately 170°C. Disabling the device eliminates the power dissipated by the device, allowing the device to cool. When the junction temperature cools to approximately 155°C, the output circuitry is again enabled. Depending on power dissipation, thermal resistance, and ambient temperature, the thermal protection circuit may cycle on and off. This cycling limits regulator dissipation, protecting the LDO from damage as a result of overheating.

Activating the thermal shutdown feature usually indicates excessive power dissipation as a result of the product of the (V_IN – V_OUT) voltage and the load current. For reliable operation limit junction temperature to 125°C, maximum. To estimate the margin of safety in a complete design, increase the ambient temperature until the thermal protection is triggered; use worst-case loads and signal conditions.

The TPS746-Q1 internal protection circuitry protects against overload conditions but is not intended to be activated in normal operation. Continuously running the TPS746-Q1 into thermal shutdown degrades device reliability.