Difference between revisions of "Basic Voltage Regulators"

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(weasel words because there are exceptions (such as two LM78xx, such as a LM7805 and a LM7812, with common GND))
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[[Image:Main-LM1117.jpg]]<br>
 
[[Image:Main-LM317.jpg]]<br>
 
[[Image:Main-LM7805.jpg]]
 
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<b>Description:</b><br> These various voltage regulators.
 
*LM1117 is a SMD adjustable regulator
 
*LM317 is a PTH adjustable regulator
 
*LM7805 is a 5V regulator
 
*LM7833 is a 3.3V regulator
 
  
These larger regulators usually have a fairly large drop out voltage of 1.5V to 2.5V. This means you need at least 1.5-2.5V above whatever voltage you want out (you'll need at least 7V in to get 5V out for example).
 
  
These regulators can be a little noisy. They are cheap and mass produced so don't be surprised if you see 200-500mV of noise on your VCC line. Is this bad? YES. But for most bread boarding applications, this is just fine.
 
  
For the 7805 and 7833, just give it an input and you'll get an output. Datasheets will recommend 10-100uF decoupling on both the input and output (always a good thing to do).
+
[[Image:Main-LM1117.jpg|thumb|voltage regulator in (FIXME) package]]
 +
[[Image:Main-LM317.jpg|thumb|voltage regulator in TO-220 package]]
 +
[[Image:Main-LM7805.jpg|thumb|voltage regulator in TO-220 package]]
  
The nice thing about the PTH (plated through hole) regulators, you can insert them directly into a bread board ''and'' you can heat sink these babies with nice TO-220 bolt-on type heat sink. With a heat sink, you can easily run 1A to 1.5A through these without long-term degredation.  
+
 
 +
 
 +
 
 +
A voltage regulator is an [[Integrated Circuits]] that converts "unregulated" input power into "regulated" output power at a fixed constant voltage. Input voltages should be at least 2V above output, and can range up to 30V. In the case of variable regulators, the larger the voltage drop, the larger the thermal output is. Heatsinking is strongly recommended for regulators, currents of 1-1.5A are achievable with proper heatsinks, and while regulators do feature an internal thermal cutoff, it should not be relied on to protect the regulator.
 +
 
 +
The most commonly used linear regulators are listed below:
 +
<table border=1>
 +
<tr><td></td>      <td>Positive</td> <td>Negative</td> </tr>
 +
<tr><td>3.3 V</td> <td>LM7833</td>  <td>LM7933</td> </tr>
 +
<tr><td>5V</td>    <td>LM7805</td>  <td>LM7905</td> </tr>
 +
<tr><td>12V</td>  <td>LM7812</td>  <td>LM7912</td> </tr>
 +
<tr><td>Variable</td> <td>LM317</td> <td>LM337</td> </tr>
 +
</table><br>
 +
 
 +
Standard through-hole regulators typically come in TO-220 packages for low current, and TO-3P packages for currents above 1.5A. Heatsinking is typically easy, however note that regulators may or may not have a 'hot' tab, with the output electrically connected to the heatsinking tab, particularly in the case of older TO-3 metal can regulators. Electrical isolation is usually required for multiple regulators on the same heatsink -- a LM317 adjacent to a LM337 on a heatsink with the output tabs connected is a short circuit through the heatsink, causing high current and failure.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
As the LM7XXX series regulators are mass produced and relatively inexpensive, 200-500mV of noise can be expected. Manufacturer datasheets typically recommend a 10-100uF decoupling capacitor be placed between output and ground to smooth the output, and give voltages clean enough for TTL operation amongst other applications.<br><br>
 +
 
 +
Regulator pinouts are as follows:<br>
 +
<table border=1>
 +
<tr><td></td>                    <td>Pin 1</td>  <td>Pin 2 and tab</td>  <td>Pin 3</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>LM78XX Fixed</td>        <td>Input</td>  <td>Gnd</td>    <td>Output</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>LM79XX Fixed</td>        <td>Gnd</td>    <td>Input</td>  <td>Output</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>LM317 Adjustable</td>    <td>Adj</td>    <td>Output</td>  <td>Input</td></tr>
 +
<tr><td>LM337 Adjustable</td>    <td>Adj</td>    <td>Input</td>  <td>Output</td></tr>
 +
</table><br>
 +
Note that positive regulators and negative regulators have different pinouts<br>
  
 
<b>Documents:</b><br>
 
<b>Documents:</b><br>
 
The datasheets vary by vendor but most are similar if not identical. The 7805 and 7833 are what I call ''IGO'' regulators, because the pinouts are Input-Ground-Output when you are looking at the front.
 
The datasheets vary by vendor but most are similar if not identical. The 7805 and 7833 are what I call ''IGO'' regulators, because the pinouts are Input-Ground-Output when you are looking at the front.
 +
 +
Even if your desired output voltage is less than your available input voltage, switching regulators and buck/boost regulators are more efficient, require a much smaller heat sink (if any), but are more complicated than linear voltage regulators.
 +
 +
If you need an output voltage higher than the input voltage, you need a [[switching regulator]] -- it can't be done with a simple linear voltage regulator.
 +
  
 
[[Media:LM7805.pdf|LM7805 Datasheet]] - Good for the LM7833 as well.
 
[[Media:LM7805.pdf|LM7805 Datasheet]] - Good for the LM7833 as well.
  
 
The LM317 and LM1117 are ''AOI'' regulators for the pins are Adjustment-Output-Input. Don't be afraid of using the variable regulators. Get a bag of 240Ohm resistors and then a handful of other values and you will be able to output 5V, 3.3V, and a range of other voltages with just a calculator and a resistor swap. Checkout the [[http://www.electronics-lab.com/articles/LM317/ LM317 calculator]] for more information.
 
The LM317 and LM1117 are ''AOI'' regulators for the pins are Adjustment-Output-Input. Don't be afraid of using the variable regulators. Get a bag of 240Ohm resistors and then a handful of other values and you will be able to output 5V, 3.3V, and a range of other voltages with just a calculator and a resistor swap. Checkout the [[http://www.electronics-lab.com/articles/LM317/ LM317 calculator]] for more information.
 +
 +
Note that
 +
 +
The nice thing about the PTH (plated through hole) regulators, you can insert them directly into a bread board ''and'' you can heat sink these babies with nice TO-220 bolt-on type heat sink. With a heat sink, you can easily run 1A to 1.5A through these without long-term degredation.
  
 
[[Media:LM317.pdf|LM317 Datasheet]]
 
[[Media:LM317.pdf|LM317 Datasheet]]
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<b>Related Items:</b><br>
 
<b>Related Items:</b><br>
 +
 +
== Further reading ==
 +
 +
* [http://www.pmb.co.nz/psu_general_1.htm "Microcontroller Power Supplies"] from PMB Electronics.
 +
 +
[[Category:Components]]

Revision as of 06:45, 2 June 2015


voltage regulator in (FIXME) package
voltage regulator in TO-220 package
voltage regulator in TO-220 package



A voltage regulator is an Integrated Circuits that converts "unregulated" input power into "regulated" output power at a fixed constant voltage. Input voltages should be at least 2V above output, and can range up to 30V. In the case of variable regulators, the larger the voltage drop, the larger the thermal output is. Heatsinking is strongly recommended for regulators, currents of 1-1.5A are achievable with proper heatsinks, and while regulators do feature an internal thermal cutoff, it should not be relied on to protect the regulator.

The most commonly used linear regulators are listed below:

Positive Negative
3.3 V LM7833 LM7933
5V LM7805 LM7905
12V LM7812 LM7912
Variable LM317 LM337


Standard through-hole regulators typically come in TO-220 packages for low current, and TO-3P packages for currents above 1.5A. Heatsinking is typically easy, however note that regulators may or may not have a 'hot' tab, with the output electrically connected to the heatsinking tab, particularly in the case of older TO-3 metal can regulators. Electrical isolation is usually required for multiple regulators on the same heatsink -- a LM317 adjacent to a LM337 on a heatsink with the output tabs connected is a short circuit through the heatsink, causing high current and failure.


As the LM7XXX series regulators are mass produced and relatively inexpensive, 200-500mV of noise can be expected. Manufacturer datasheets typically recommend a 10-100uF decoupling capacitor be placed between output and ground to smooth the output, and give voltages clean enough for TTL operation amongst other applications.

Regulator pinouts are as follows:

Pin 1 Pin 2 and tab Pin 3
LM78XX Fixed Input Gnd Output
LM79XX Fixed Gnd Input Output
LM317 Adjustable Adj Output Input
LM337 Adjustable Adj Input Output


Note that positive regulators and negative regulators have different pinouts

Documents:
The datasheets vary by vendor but most are similar if not identical. The 7805 and 7833 are what I call IGO regulators, because the pinouts are Input-Ground-Output when you are looking at the front.

Even if your desired output voltage is less than your available input voltage, switching regulators and buck/boost regulators are more efficient, require a much smaller heat sink (if any), but are more complicated than linear voltage regulators.

If you need an output voltage higher than the input voltage, you need a switching regulator -- it can't be done with a simple linear voltage regulator.


LM7805 Datasheet - Good for the LM7833 as well.

The LM317 and LM1117 are AOI regulators for the pins are Adjustment-Output-Input. Don't be afraid of using the variable regulators. Get a bag of 240Ohm resistors and then a handful of other values and you will be able to output 5V, 3.3V, and a range of other voltages with just a calculator and a resistor swap. Checkout the [LM317 calculator] for more information.

Note that

The nice thing about the PTH (plated through hole) regulators, you can insert them directly into a bread board and you can heat sink these babies with nice TO-220 bolt-on type heat sink. With a heat sink, you can easily run 1A to 1.5A through these without long-term degredation.

LM317 Datasheet

Footprints:
SFE Footprint Library

FP Name: TO-220, TO-220 - ADJ, TO-220-Sinked, etc

Manufacturer Info:
There are many mfgs for these basic v-regs.

Supplier Info:
There are a whole range on Digikey and can range from ~0.50 to over $5 depending on the specs! Feel free to list prices and specs of the ones you discover and like to use.

Related Items:

Further reading