The LM3914 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives 10 LEDs, providing a linear analog display. It has an adjustable reference voltage and an accurate 10-step voltage divider. The circuit can drive LEDs of many colors or low-current incandescent lamps. Multiple LM3914s can be chained to form displays of 20 to over 100 segments. The LM3914 is very easy to apply as an analog meter circuit.
The LM3914 is a monolithic integrated circuit that senses analog voltage levels and drives ten LEDs, providing a linear analog display. A single mode‑select pin switches the output between a moving‑dot display and a bar‑graph display, and the LED current is programmable from 2 mA to 30 mA.
The device includes an internal adjustable reference (1.2 V to 12 V), a ten‑step voltage divider, and input buffers that tolerate signals down to ground and up to ±35 V. It operates from a single supply of less than 3 V, works from –55 °C to +150 °C (specified range –0 °C to +70 °C for normal operation), and can be cascaded to drive many more LEDs.
| Supply voltage range | 3 V DC to 20 V DC |
|---|---|
| LED output current range | 2 mA to 30 mA |
| Operating temperature range | 0 °C to +70 °C (rated), –55 °C to +150 °C (absolute max) |
| Standby supply current (all LEDs off) | 1.6 mA typical (2.5 mA max) |
| Internal voltage reference | 1.2 V to 12 V |
The LM3914 operates from a single supply voltage between 3 V DC and 20 V DC.
The device is rated for operation from 0 °C to +70 °C, with absolute maximum limits of –55 °C to +150 °C.