Constructing your own Variable DC Power Supply

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 itprovides 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 theregulator if any attempt is made to operate it outside its

safe operating area. (If this happens to you, let the chipcool 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 filtercapacitor to help smooth out ripple in the rectified AC voltage. The larger the filter capacitor the lower theripple. For small applications the heat sinks will not be needed. The tab on the regulator will dissipate 2W at 25 oC just inair. (This is equivalent, for example, to an input voltage of 9V, an output of 5V and drawing 500 mA.) However, asyour projects get bigger they will draw more current from the power supply and the regulators will operate at ahigher temperature and a heat sink will be needed. You can easily add voltage & current meters to it and put it intoa suitable plastic case connected to a transformer. DC Power Supply Parts List

You can find out more details of 7805 voltage regulator from www.national.com website.

Trouble Shooting Procedure An LED has been put into the output of the fixed 5V regulator to indicate that the circuit is working. Poor solderingis the most likely reason that the circuit does not work. Check that all the soldering is done properly. Check that all components are in their correct position on the PCB. Other items to check are to ensure that the regulators, electrolytic capacitor and bridge rectifier are inserted in the correct orientation.

5 to 15V Regulated Power Supply

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