ESP32 Thing Plus over powered? 3.8V to chip?

Bit confused. I’m studying the ESP32 dev boards (listed below) but cannot figure out why I’m measuring Voltage to chip at 3.8V instead of the 3.0 to 3.6 spec’d in datasheet.

ESP32 Thing Plus as well
Espressif ESP32-Pico-DevKitM-2

ESP32 Datasheet

When I probe voltage on both the Thing Plus and the Espressif DevKits I get 3.8V. I have a handful of these ESP32 development boards in which the power supplies to be functioning same way.

Seems a 3.8V LDO is being used on the boards… That must be okay to power the ESP32 despite datasheet says otherwise? Additionally, I ask as it’s hard to find a 500mA LDO at 3.0V to 3.6V per spec in Datasheet. Seems easier to source a 3.8V to meet the current requirement?

Asking to ensure I’m not confused and it truly is 3.8V to ESP32

Maybe I just use a buck regulator for the supply as apposed to this LDO… My end goal is to have power supplies on one board, microcontroller on another, and programming interface on a 3rd board (or sections of a board). Slowly drawing up each piece.

Thanks for the help!

I’ve spent a couple days studying the 5.0V buck regulator breakout and LDO regulator on ESP32 Thing Plus… Ordered a bunch more breakout boards but eventually will need to use those circuits on custom PCB so drawing up a circuits in KiKad as I don’t have license for Eagle.

Sharing the project here if anybody wants to contribute / use it.

Can you see the part # on the LDO? The schematic calls for ap2212k, is that what you are comparing?

Measure your incoming/supply voltage too and see if it is as expected (swap to a means-well supply to limit variables)

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Power coming from USB connector (computer) is 5.6V peak 5.2V mean. Facepalm I just answered my own question when I went to measure this per your post. My scope is reporting peak voltage. I need the mean voltage, which is 3.5V out the LDO / regulator circuit. The circuit is correct, it’s not 3.8V (must be a touch of noise on that trace).

One note, the schematic shows AP2212k which I cannot find in any parts catalogs. Must be a typo? I can however, find AP2112 as in the datasheet you shared. Thanks!