Data Sheet

2/8/2018 Pololu - 2.5-9V Fine-Adjust Step-Up/Step-Down Voltage Regulator S9V11MA
https://www.pololu.com/product/2869 6/6
Note that the startup current for input voltages above the regulated output voltage is limited to
approximately 700 mA, and currents in excess of this are only available after the output has finished
stabilizing. For input voltages below the output voltage, the available start up current decreases
linearly with the input voltage to approximately 0.3 A with an input of 3 V. Large capacitive loads will
generally not pose a problem because they will gradually charge up even with the current limit active,
so while they may increase the time it takes an S9V11x family regulator to start up, the regulator
should still eventually stabilize. A purely resistive load, however, could prevent the regulator from ever
reaching the desired output voltage. For example, if the output of the regulator is 5V and you put a 5 Ω
resistor between VOUT and GND and then apply power to the regulator, the output voltage will never
rise past 3.5 V, the voltage at which the current draw reaches the 700 mA limit. As such, this family of
regulators is intended for applications like robotics, where any large loads are controllable and can be
applied only after the regulator has finished starting up.
LC Voltage Spikes
When connecting voltage to electronic circuits, the initial rush of current can cause voltage spikes that
are much higher than the input voltage. If these spikes exceed a regulator’s maximum voltage, the
regulator can be destroyed. If you are connecting more than about 9 V, using power leads more than a
few inches long, or using a power supply with high inductance, we recommend soldering a 33 μF or
larger electrolytic capacitor close to the regulator between VIN and GND. The capacitor should be
rated for at least 20 V.