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 hybrid brick-wall-foldback scheme. The current limit transitions from a brick-wall scheme to a foldback scheme at the foldback voltage (V_FOLDBACK). In a high-load current fault with the output voltage above V_FOLDBACK, the brick-wall scheme limits the output current to the current limit (I_CL). When the voltage drops below V_FOLDBACK, a foldback current limit activates that scales back the current as the output voltage approaches GND. When the output is shorted, the device supplies a typical current called the short-circuit current limit (I_SC). I_CL and I_SC are 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]. When the device output is shorted and the output is below V_FOLDBACK, the pass transistor dissipates power [(V_IN – V_OUT) × I_SC]. If thermal shutdown is triggered, the device turns off. After the device cools down, the internal thermal shutdown circuit turns the device back on. If the output current fault condition continues, the device cycles between current limit and thermal shutdown. For more information on current limits, see the Know Your Limits application note.

Figure 6-1 shows a diagram of the foldback current limit.

Figure 6-1 Foldback Current Limit