The Supertex LR645 is a high input voltage, low output current linear regulator. It has a 3-terminal fixed output voltage version available in TO-92, TO-220 and SOT-89 packages, as well as an adjustable voltage version available in an 8lead SOIC package. The 3-terminal version functions like any other low voltage 3-terminal regulator except it allows the use of much higher input voltages. When used in a SMPS startup circuit, it eliminates the need for large power resistors. In this application, current is drawn from the high voltage line only during start-up. Only leakage current flows after start-up, thereby reducing the continuous power dissipation to a few milliwatts.