I found the attachment in TI's LM150 datasheet. If the resistor won't burn up, would someone be kind enough to explain why not?

 

I found the attachment in TI's LM150 datasheet. If the resistor won't burn up, would someone be kind enough to explain why not?

Why would you expect it to burn up if your load needs less than 2 watts?

 

Yep. That will smoke.

The current limiting resistor will always have 1.25 volts across it.
1.25^2 / .4 = 4W

 

+1 It's gonna cook. Marketing must have done that one on a Friday afternoon.

 

That's what I thought... except I did it the other way... 3A^2 x .4Ω = 3.6W! Looks like they're fudging more than the wattage!

 

Ya know... it's hard enough to learn without component manufacturers feeding ya garbage!

 

Don't whine too much. They are right a lot more than they are wrong, like 999 to 1.

 

Don't whine too much. They are right a lot more than they are wrong, like 999 to 1.

maybe, but that's because most of the data sheets had to go across my desk for final check before they got published.

The LM317 was done before I worked there.