Byron A Jeff wrote...

>Linear bipolar regulators generally have a "feature"
>called thermal runaway. Simply put the hotter it gets, the more current =
it
>draws, making it even hotter.

Any examples?

All of the IC voltage regulators I've ever used or investigated--and
that's a LOT of them--not only have internal current limiting and output
short-circuit protection, but thermal overload protection and, in some
cases, pass transistor SOA protection as well.  Some go even further,
adding protection against input overvoltage and even protection against
being inserted into a PC board backwards.

I've never seen any integrated circuit voltage regulator do what you've
described, or anything even remotely resembling it; not ever.  My
experience has been that most IC voltage regulators are very rugged.

If you know any that do have this thermal runaway "feature", I'd be
interested in getting the manufacturer and part numbers so I know what
not to buy in the future.

Dave

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