This project provides the schematic and the parts list needed to construct a simple DC

Power Supply from an input power supply of 7-20 V AC or 7-30V DC. This project will come
in handy especially if you use a lot of batteries for your basic electronics project.

Two DC voltage outputs are available; one is a fixed regulated 5V for TTL use. The other
output is variable from 5V upwards. The maximum output voltage depends on the input
voltage. The specified maximum input DC voltage to the regulator is 35V. The minimum
input voltage must be 2 volts higher than the regulated output voltage.

CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION

The DC Power Supply circuit is based around the 7805 voltage regulator. It has only 3
connections (input, output and ground) and it provides a fixed output. The last two digits of
the part number specify the output voltage, eg. 05, 06, 08, 10, 12, 15, 18, or 24. The 7800
series provides up to 1 amp load current and has on-chip circuitry to shut down the
regulator if any attempt is made to operate it outside its safe operating area. (If this
happens to you, let the chip cool down & attach the heatsink.) It can be seen that there are
in fact two separate circuits in this power supply. One 7805 is directly connected as a fixed
5V regulator. The second 7805 has a resistor divider network on the output. A variable 500
ohm potentiometer is used to vary the output voltage from a minimum of 5V up to the
maximum DC voltage depending on the input voltage. It will be about 2V below the input
DC voltage.)
The capacitor across the output improves transient response. The large capacitor across the
input is a filter capacitor to help smooth out ripple in the rectified AC voltage. The larger the
filter capacitor the lower the ripple.

Regulated Power Supply

This project is a simple DC regulated power supply that has a variable DC voltage range
from 5V to 15V. It can supply current up to a 400mA to power the various circuits for your
electronic projects. The voltage output is varied by using the potentiometer VR1. In this
circuit, the input line power supply is designed for 240VAC. If 110VAC input is used, change
the ratings of the varistor to 150VAC and the transformer ratio to 110V/12V.

Fuse F1 is used as a protection in case there is any short circuit in the circuit. Varistor V1 is
connected in parallel to the input of the line voltage to clamp the surge voltage from the line
to a reasonable level that helps to protect the transformer and other circuitry. Once the
voltage level surge to a high level beyond the ability of the varistor to absorb it, fuse F1 or
varistor V1 or both will burn. If this circuit failed after a period of operation, check that the
fuse and the varistor are still in good condition or else replace them.

Diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4 are used to rectify the 12VAC voltage to DC voltage. Electrolytic
capacitor E1 is used as a smoothing capacitor to reduce the ripple of the DC voltage. The DC
voltage is fed into the input of 7805 regulator where the output DC voltage is obtained.
Changing the value of VR1 will change the output of the DC voltage. Capacitor C1 is used to
filter out high frequency component from the power supply.

Parts List
Power Supply Schematic

This project uses a LM338 adjustable 3 terminal regulator to supply a current of up to 5A

over a variable output voltage of 2V to 25V DC. It will come in handy to power up many
electronic circuits when you are assembling or building any electronic devices. The
schematic and parts list are designed for a power supply input of 240VAC. Change the
ratings of the components if 110VAC power supply input is required.

As shown in the figure above, the mains input is applied to the circuit through fuse F1. The
fuse will blow if a current greater than 8A is applied to the system. Varistor V1 is used to
clamp down any surge of voltage from the mains to protect the components from
breakdown. Transformer T1 is used to step down the incoming voltage to 24V AC where it is
rectified by the four diodes D1, D2, D3 and D4. Electrolytic capacitor E1 is used to
smoothen the ripple of the rectified DC voltage.

Diodes D5 and D6 are used as a protection devices to prevent capacitors E2 and E3 from
discharging through low current points into the regulator. Capacitor C1 is used to bypass
high frequency component from the circuit. Ensure that a large heat sink is mounted to
LM338 to transfer the heat generated to the atmosphere.

Parts List