LM2596S-12X Texas Instruments Integrated Circuit (Other) In Stock
LM2596S-12X is a SIMPLE SWITCHER 3A step-down voltage regulator by Texas Instruments with a fixed 12V output and 150 kHz switching frequency in a 5-lead TO-263 surface-mount package. Key specs: 4.5V to 40V input range, 3A continuous output current, up to 7.5A peak. Available in stock with worldwide shipping.
- Manufacturer
- Texas Instruments
- Package
- Other
- Pin Count
- 4
- Lifecycle
- OBSOLETE
- Datasheet
- LM2596S-12X Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- Temp Range
- -40.0°C to 125.0°C
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
What are the key features of LM2596S-12X?
- Fixed 12V output step-down regulator with 3A continuous current from 4.5V to 40V input at 150 kHz switching frequency
- SIMPLE SWITCHER architecture requires only 4 external components (inductor, diode, 2 capacitors) for a complete buck regulator design
- 5-lead TO-263 surface-mount package handles up to 7.5A peak current with integrated thermal protection and current limiting
What is LM2596S-12X used for?
The LM2596S-12X is designed for DC-DC step-down conversion in industrial power supplies, telecom equipment, and automotive electronics where a stable 12V rail is derived from a higher-voltage bus of 15V to 40V. Its 3A continuous output and minimal external component count make it attractive for powering 12V fans, solenoids, relay coils, and LED drivers from 24V industrial power rails. The TO-263 surface-mount package provides efficient heat dissipation to the PCB copper ground plane without requiring a bulky heatsink in typical 3A load applications.
What are the specifications of LM2596S-12X?
| YTEOL | 0 |
| Analog IC - Other Type | SWITCHING REGULATOR |
| Input Voltage-Max | 40V |
| Input Voltage-Min | 4.5V |
| Input Voltage-Nom | 25V |
| JESD-30 Code | R-PSSO-G5 |
| Number of Functions | 1 |
| Output Current-Max | 7.5A |
| Output Voltage-Nom | 12V |
| Package Body Material | PLASTIC/EPOXY |
| Package Equivalence Code | SMSIP5H,.6,67TB |
| Package Shape | RECTANGULAR |
| Package Style | SMALL OUTLINE |
| Qualification Status | Not Qualified |
| Surface Mount | YES |
| Switcher Configuration | BUCK |
| Switching Frequency-Max | 173kHz |
| Temperature Grade | AUTOMOTIVE |
| Terminal Form | GULL WING |
| Terminal Pitch | 1.7mm |
| Terminal Position | SINGLE |
| Package | Other |
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
| ECCN | EAR99 |
| HTS Code | 8542.39.00.60 |
Where can I find the LM2596S-12X datasheet?
LM2596S-12X Datasheet DownloadOfficial datasheet from Texas Instruments
What are equivalent replacements for LM2596S-12X?
Compatible alternatives and drop-in replacements for LM2596S-12X:
Switching Regulator, Voltage-mode, 7.5A, 173kHz Switching Freq-Max, BIPolar, PSSO5
Switching Regulator, Voltage-mode, 7.5A, 173kHz Switching Freq-Max, BIPolar, PSSO5
Switching Regulator, Voltage-mode, 3A, 173kHz Switching Freq-Max, BICMOS, PSSO5
Switching Regulator, Voltage-mode, 3A, 173kHz Switching Freq-Max, BICMOS, PSSO5
Frequently Asked Questions
What input voltage range does LM2596S-12X accept and what minimum headroom above 12V is required for regulation?
The LM2596S-12X accepts an input voltage from 4.5V to 40V, but since the output is fixed at 12V, the input must remain at least 1.5V to 3V above 12V (i.e., above approximately 14V) to maintain regulation. At 4.5V input the device cannot regulate 12V — the minimum useful input for a 12V output is approximately 14V to 15V, depending on load current and dropout characteristics. The full 40V input rating makes LM2596S-12X suitable for 24V and 36V industrial bus systems with significant margin against transient overvoltage.
For a 24V to 12V conversion at 3A load, what efficiency can be expected from LM2596S-12X?
At 24V input delivering 3A at 12V output, the LM2596S-12X typically achieves 75% to 80% conversion efficiency, dissipating roughly 6W to 9W as heat. This is substantially better than a linear regulator (50% efficiency at the same conditions) but lower than newer synchronous buck controllers operating at 87% to 92% efficiency. For cost-sensitive designs where the extra 7W to 12W of power loss is acceptable, LM2596S-12X remains an economical choice due to its low component count and proven 150 kHz switching frequency simplifying inductor and capacitor selection.
Which external passive components does an LM2596S-12X design require and what inductor value is recommended?
A complete LM2596S-12X circuit requires 4 external passives: a Schottky catch diode (typically 3A, 40V rated such as 1N5822), an output inductor (typically 68 µH to 150 µH at 3A), an output capacitor (typically 220 µF electrolytic), and an input bypass capacitor (100 µF). Texas Instruments' SIMPLE SWITCHER design guide recommends a 100 µH inductor for most 12V output designs at 150 kHz switching frequency, keeping inductor ripple current below 30% of peak load. The TO-263 package body acts as a heatsink by soldering the exposed backside tab directly to a PCB copper pour.
How does LM2596S-12X compare to LM2596S-ADJ for designs that may need a different output voltage in the future?
LM2596S-12X is a fixed-12V device requiring no feedback resistors, which reduces BOM by 2 components and eliminates output voltage drift from resistor tolerances. LM2596S-ADJ uses a 2-resistor voltage divider to set any output from 1.2V to 37V, adding design flexibility at the cost of 2 additional components. If a future design revision might need a different voltage (e.g., 9V or 15V), LM2596S-ADJ is the better long-term choice since only the resistor values change. For a fixed 12V application with no revision planned, LM2596S-12X simplifies layout and reduces the risk of mismatched feedback resistors causing output voltage errors.
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About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (TI) is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. TI designs and manufactures analog and embedded processing chips used in industrial, automotive, consumer, communications, and enterprise systems.
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