
LM2574
12
MOTOROLA ANALOG IC DEVICE DATA
Procedure (Adjustable Output Version: LM2574–ADJ)
Procedure
Example
4. Inductor Selection (L1)
A.
Use the following formula to calculate the inductor Volt x 
microsecond [V x 
μ
s] constant:
B.
Match the calculated E x T value with the corresponding  
number on the vertical axis of the Inductor Value Selection 
Guide shown in Figure 23. This E x T constant is a measure 
of the energy handling capability of an inductor and is 
dependent upon the type of core, the core area, the number 
of turns, and the duty cycle.
C.
Next step is to identify the inductance region intersected by 
the E x T value and the maximum load current value on the 
horizontal axis shown in Figure 27.
D.
From the inductor code, identify the inductor value. Then 
select an appropriate inductor from Table 2. The inductor 
chosen must be rated for a switching frequency of 52 kHz 
and for a current rating of 1.15 x ILoad. The inductor current 
rating can also be determined by calculating the inductor 
peak current:
where ton is the “on” time of the power switch and
V
out
V
in
For additional information about the inductor, see the inductor
section in the “External Components” section of this data 
sheet.
t
on
x1.0
f
osc
I
p
(
max
)
I
Load
(
max
)
V
in
V
out
t
on
2L
E x T
(Vin
Vout)
Vout
Vin
x
106
F[Hz]
V x
s
4. Inductor Selection (L1)
A.
Calculate E x T V x
B.
C.
ILoad(max) = 0.4 A
Inductance Region = 1000
D.
Proper inductor value = 1000 
μ
H
Choose the inductor from Table 2.
E x T
(40
24) x40x152
105 V x
s
E x T
185 V x
s
s constant :
5. Output Capacitor Selection (Cout)
A.
Since the LM2574 is a forward–mode switching regulator with
voltage mode control, its open loop 2–pole–1–zero frequency 
characteristic has the dominant pole–pair determined by the 
output capacitor and inductor values.
For stable operation, the capacitor must satisfy the following 
requirement:
Vin
(
max
)
Voutx L H
B.
Capacitor values between 10 
μ
F and 2000 
μ
F will satisfy the 
loop requirements for stable operation. To achieve an 
acceptable output ripple voltage and transient response, the 
output capacitor may need to be several times larger than the
above formula yields.
C.
Due to the fact that the higher voltage electrolytic capacitors 
generally have lower ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) 
numbers, the output capacitor’s voltage rating should be at 
least 1.5 times greater than the output voltage. For a 5.0 V 
regulator, a rating of at least 8.0 V is appropriate, and a 10 V 
or 16V rating is recommended.
Cout
13,300
F
5. Output Capacitor Selection (Cout)
A.
Cout
To achieve an acceptable ripple voltage, select
Cout = 100 
μ
F electrolytic capacitor.
13,300 x
40
24 x 1000
22.2
F