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How should I connect the inhibit pin (pin number 5) of the KF50BD-TR in order to have the device properly and actively working as a linear regulator that gives me 5V at the output? Should i connect it to gnd? thanks for the support. Luca

LBern.6
Associate
 
1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION

Accepted Solutions
Peter BENSCH
ST Employee

Welcome, @LBern.6​, to the community!

The designation INHIBIT can indeed be confusing if you don't know the history: devices like the KF50 or LF50 were developed in the last millennium, nowadays the designation EN or /EN for ENABLE is more common.

Function of INHIBIT when connected to:

  • VIN = voltage regulator is switched off
  • GND = voltage regulator is switched on

The switch shown in the data sheet realises this function because there is a weak current source to GND in the device. In disturbed environments you can connect a pull-down with about 10kohms to be on the safe side.

The switch can also realise the function inverted by connecting a pull-up of approx. 10kohms between INHIBIT and VIN and switching INHIBIT to GND.

In the past, a CMOS gate of the 4000 series had also been connected directly to INHIBIT without a pull resistor, so that the voltage regulator is digitally controllable.

To come back to your question:

If you don't need INHIBIT and you want the voltage regulator to be permanently switched on, simply connect INHIBIT to GND.

If the problem is solved, please mark this thread as answered by selecting Select as best, as also explained here. This will help other users find that answer faster.

Good luck!

/Peter

In order to give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on Accept as Solution on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question.

View solution in original post

1 REPLY 1
Peter BENSCH
ST Employee

Welcome, @LBern.6​, to the community!

The designation INHIBIT can indeed be confusing if you don't know the history: devices like the KF50 or LF50 were developed in the last millennium, nowadays the designation EN or /EN for ENABLE is more common.

Function of INHIBIT when connected to:

  • VIN = voltage regulator is switched off
  • GND = voltage regulator is switched on

The switch shown in the data sheet realises this function because there is a weak current source to GND in the device. In disturbed environments you can connect a pull-down with about 10kohms to be on the safe side.

The switch can also realise the function inverted by connecting a pull-up of approx. 10kohms between INHIBIT and VIN and switching INHIBIT to GND.

In the past, a CMOS gate of the 4000 series had also been connected directly to INHIBIT without a pull resistor, so that the voltage regulator is digitally controllable.

To come back to your question:

If you don't need INHIBIT and you want the voltage regulator to be permanently switched on, simply connect INHIBIT to GND.

If the problem is solved, please mark this thread as answered by selecting Select as best, as also explained here. This will help other users find that answer faster.

Good luck!

/Peter

In order to give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on Accept as Solution on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question.