BETASelected packagePDIP-18LM3914N-1
Ten-step linear LED display driver
LM3914 Reference Tables
Search the LM3914 pin reference and manufacturer-referenced specification tables.
Package view
Physical connections18 pinsPackage-specific numbering
Reference collection8 tables47 parameters & pin functions
Pin reference
Signal names, electrical functions and connection guidance
Physical pin numbers18 pins
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| Pin | Signal | Type | Function & connection |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED1 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 1. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| V− | Supply rail | Common supply and signal return.Connection guidanceConnect to GND. Use exact package pin mapping; PLCC numbering differs from DIP. | |
| V+ | Supply rail | Positive supply for the analog circuitry.Connection guidanceConnect to regulated +5 V with local bypass. Use exact package pin mapping; PLCC numbering differs from DIP. | |
| RLO | Analog / control | Bottom of the ten-step resistor ladder.Connection guidanceConnect to GND for a zero-based scale. Use exact package pin mapping; PLCC numbering differs from DIP. | |
| SIG | Analog / control | High-impedance measured signal, compared with the ladder taps.Connection guidanceApply a signal between ground and the reference full scale. Normal measurement input must stay within V+−1.5 V. Protection ratings are not measurement ranges. | |
| RHI | Analog / control | Top of the ten-step resistor ladder.Connection guidanceConnect to REFOUT in this example. Use exact package pin mapping; PLCC numbering differs from DIP. | |
| REFOUT | Analog / control | Adjustable reference output; loading this pin also programs LED current.Connection guidanceJoin RHI; connect 2.49 kΩ to GND for approximately 6 mA per LED. Use exact package pin mapping; PLCC numbering differs from DIP. | |
| REFADJ | Analog / control | Reference adjustment return.Connection guidanceConnect to GND for the nominal 1.25 V reference. Use exact package pin mapping; PLCC numbering differs from DIP. | |
| MODE | Analog / control | Selects bar or dot display; also supports cascading.Connection guidanceConnect to V+ for bar mode. Leave open for the single-chip dot example. Do not simply ground MODE: pulling it far below the LED supply can disable LED10. | |
| LED10 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 10. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED9 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 9. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED8 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 8. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED7 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 7. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED6 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 6. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED5 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 5. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED4 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 4. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED3 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 3. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| LED2 | Regulated current sink | Current-regulated cathode driver for indicator 2. Current flows into this pin when active.Connection guidanceConnect the LED cathode here and its anode to the positive LED supply. Check total package dissipation when many LEDs are lit. | |
| NC | No connection | No internal electrical connection in the PLCC package.Connection guidanceLeave unconnected. | |
| NC | No connection | No internal electrical connection in the PLCC package.Connection guidanceLeave unconnected. |
No pins match these filters. Try another signal name or reset the filters.
Measurement conditions
5 V example; commercial ambient grade
Manufacturer-referenced values6 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical test supply | 3–20 V | See headroom and power limits; example uses 5 V |
| Ambient | 0–70°C | Commercial parts |
| Normal signal range | 0 to V+−1.5 V | Not the protected overvoltage rating |
| Reference / RHI / RLO headroom | At or below V+−1.5 V | RHI/RLO specified up to12 V |
| Ladder resistance | 12 kΩ typical; 8–17 kΩ | Between RHI and RLO |
| Scale accuracy | 0.5% typical; 2% max | 10 V full scale; offsets matter more at low scales |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
All limits retain their specified conditions. This low-voltage example is illustrative, not a precision instrument.
Reference and current programming
5 V supply, 25°C
Manufacturer-referenced values7 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reference output | 1.20–1.34 V; 1.28 V typical | Reference load0.1–4mA |
| REFADJ current | 75 µA typical; 120 µA max | Affects raised-reference calculations |
| LED current scale | Approximately10× reference output load | Include the resistor ladder load |
| Specified LED current | 7–13 mA; 10 mA typical | Reference load1mA, VLED5V |
| Signal bias current | 25 nA typical; 100 nA max | Within normal signal range |
| Offset, first comparator + buffer | 3 mV typical; 10 mV max | Ladder endpoints equal, ILED1mA |
| Other comparator offsets | 3 mV typical; 15 mV max | Same conditions |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Use measured reference and calibrated scale for accurate instruments.
Nominal 1.25 V bar indicator
PDIP-18 drawing; use pin map for PLCC
Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| V+ / V− | 5 V / GND | DIP3 / DIP2 |
| RLO / REFADJ | Both GND | DIP4 / DIP8 |
| RHI / REFOUT | Joined together | DIP6 / DIP7 |
| Current-setting resistor | 2.49 kΩ from REFOUT to GND | Approximate6mA class; ladder loading increases current |
| MODE | Tie to V+ for bar | DIP9; leave open for dot |
| Input | 0 to nominal1.25 V | DIP5; source referenced toGND |
| LEDs | Anodes5V; cathodesLED1–LED10 | DIP1,18,17,16,15,14,13,12,11,10 |
| Bypass | 100 nF plus10 µF near supply | Local ground; bulk required for long LED leads |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
With1.25V and12kΩ ladder, IREF≈1.25/2490+1.25/12000=0.606mA; ILED≈6.06mA. This includes the ladder current.
Expected bar thresholds
RLO=0; RHI nominal1.25 V
Manufacturer-referenced values10 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| LED1 | 0.125 V | (RHI−RLO)×1/10+RLO |
| LED2 | 0.250 V | (RHI−RLO)×2/10+RLO |
| LED3 | 0.375 V | (RHI−RLO)×3/10+RLO |
| LED4 | 0.500 V | (RHI−RLO)×4/10+RLO |
| LED5 | 0.625 V | (RHI−RLO)×5/10+RLO |
| LED6 | 0.750 V | (RHI−RLO)×6/10+RLO |
| LED7 | 0.875 V | (RHI−RLO)×7/10+RLO |
| LED8 | 1.000 V | (RHI−RLO)×8/10+RLO |
| LED9 | 1.125 V | (RHI−RLO)×9/10+RLO |
| LED10 | 1.250 V | (RHI−RLO)×10/10+RLO |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Ideal thresholds only. Actual reference, resistor ladder and comparator offset determine switching.
Loading and heat
Keep output dissipation under control
Manufacturer-referenced values6 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standby current | 2.4 mA typical; 4.2 mA max | 5 V, IREF0.2mA, outputs off |
| Output dropout | 1.5 V typical | 20mA LED current; stated regulation test |
| Output saturation | 0.15 V typical;0.4V max | 2mA LEDcurrent |
| Bar-mode example dissipation | About0.18W in LED drivers | 10×(5−2)×0.006; plus internal dissipation |
| PDIP thermal reference | 55°C/W junction-to-ambient | Specified package; board-dependent |
| Maximum junction | 100°C | Apply derating at elevated ambient |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Do not multiply the30mA feature value by ten without checking thermal feasibility.
Dot, bar and cascading
Use the MODE control correctly
Manufacturer-referenced values4 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bar | MODE tied to V+ | All outputs up to the selected level light |
| Dot | MODE left open in single-chip use | One nominal indication; transitions can overlap |
| Grounded MODE | Not a generic dot-mode setting | Can disable LED10 when far below the LED rail |
| Cascading | Follow manufacturer circuits | Special full-scale dot carry behavior |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
This example uses bar mode; the LED output numbering runs in the reverse physical order along the DIP right side.
Package and stress limits
LM3914N-1 · PDIP-18
Manufacturer-referenced values6 parameters
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| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Physical pitch | 2.54 mm | Through-hole |
| Absolute supply / LED voltage | 25 V | Stress limit, not recommended continuous operation |
| Protected signal input | ±35 V | Input current limited to±3mA; not linear measurement range |
| Reference load maximum | 10 mA | Stress rating |
| Storage | −55 to+150°C | Unpowered |
| SMD availability | LM3914VX/NOPB obsolete | TI package addendum; legacy footprint only |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Observe measurement headroom, current and thermal constraints together.
No matching rowsTry a pin name, parameter, unit or test condition, or reset the filters.