I'm familiar with the two typical ways of using a diode for reverse current protection of a voltage regulator: 1) diode from reg output to reg input and b) diode from power supply to reg input.
My question is: If I put a voltage at the reg output, and leave the reg input disconnected, is it still safe? Because it appears to be the same thing as having the diode between supply and reg input, i.e. no current can flow. But I'm wondering if I could still damage the regulator.
My question is: If I put a voltage at the reg output, and leave the reg input disconnected, is it still safe? Because it appears to be the same thing as having the diode between supply and reg input, i.e. no current can flow. But I'm wondering if I could still damage the regulator.