In many applications, a voltage regulator powers a load that is not connected to ground, but instead, is connected to a voltage source of the opposite polarity (for example, operational amplifiers, level-shifting circuits, and so on). During start-up and short-circuit events, this connection can lead to polarity reversal of the regulator output and can damage the internal components of the regulator.

To avoid polarity reversal on the regulator output, use external protection to protect the device.

Figure 8-3 shows one approach for protecting the device.

Figure 8-3 Example Circuit for Polarity Reversal Protection Using a Schottky Diode