The LM317M is an adjustable 3-terminal positive-voltage regulator capable of supplying more than 500 mA over an output-voltage range of 1.25 V to 37 V. The LM317M is exceptionally easy to use and requires only two external resistors to set the output voltage. Furthermore, both line and load regulation are better than standard fixed regulators.

In addition to having higher performance than fixed regulators, the device includes on-chip current limiting, thermal-overload protection, and safe-operating-area protection. All overload protection remains fully functional if the ADJUST terminal is disconnected.

Normally, no capacitors are needed unless the device is more than six inches from the input filter capacitors, in which case an input bypass capacitor is needed. An optional output capacitor can be added to improve transient response. The ADJUST terminal can be bypassed to achieve high ripple-rejection ratios, which are difficult to achieve with standard three-terminal regulators.