Voltage Regulators

Unit-7

Delivered By,
Pradip Barik
Asst. Professor, CMRIT
Contents
• Introduction
• Series op-amp regulator
• IC voltage regulators
• 723 general purpose regulator
• Switching regulator
Introduction
• The function of voltage regulator is to provide a constant stable dc
voltage for powering other electronic circuits.

• Voltage regulators are classified as:

1. Series regulator
2. Switching regulator
Series regulator

• They use a power transistor connected in series between the

unregulated dc input and load.

• The output voltage is controlled by the continuous voltage drop

taking place across the series pass transistor.
• As transistors works in the active or linear region, these regulators are
also known as linear regulators.
Switching regulators

• They operate the power transistor as a high frequency on/off switch,

so that the power transistor does not conduct current continuously.

• This gives improved efficiency over series regulator.

Series op-amp regulator
• A voltage regulator is a electronic circuit that provides a stable dc
voltage independent of load, temperature and ac line voltage
variations.
• The circuit consists of four major components.

1. Reference voltage circuit (Zener diode)

2. Error amplifier (Difference amplifier)
3. Series pass transistor (Q1)
4. Feedback network (R1 and R2)
• The transistor Q1 is connected as an emitter follower and therefore
provide sufficient current gain to drive the load.

• The output voltage is sampled by potential dividers R1 and R2

(feedback network) and feedback to the inverting input terminal of
the op-amp error amplifier.

• If the output voltage increases say due to variation in load current the
sampled voltage βV also increases. Which in turn reduces the output
0

voltage of the difference amplifier due to the 180⁰ phase shift

provided by the op-amp amplifier.
IC Voltage Regulator
There are two categories

1. 78XX / 79XX Fixed Voltage Series regulators

2. 723 general purpose regulators

Fixed Voltage Series Regulator
• 78XX series are three terminal positive fixed voltage regulators.
• In 78XX, the last two numbers ‘XX’ indicate the output voltage.

• Eg: 7805 +5V

7808 +8V

• 79XX series are three terminal, negative fixed voltage regulators.

• Capacitors are connected between input terminal and ground to cancel the
inductive effect due to long distribution leads. Output capacitance
improves the transient response.
Characteristics of IC Voltage Regulators
1. Regulated output voltage(V0)
 78XX has output voltage 5, 6, 8 etc.
2. Unregulated input voltage(Vin)
 |𝑉𝑖𝑛 | ≥ |𝑉0| + 2𝑉 i.e If V0=5 V then Vin=7 V
3. Maximum output current(I0max)
 May vary from 0 to maximum rated current
4. Thermal shutdown
 Has sensors which turns-off the IC when it becomes too hot (125 to 150 deg
celcious)
Limitations

• No short circuit protection

• Output voltage is fixed
Important performance parameters
1. Line/Input regulation
Defined as the percentage change of the output voltage for a change in the input
voltage. Typical value for 7805 is 3V
𝑉𝐻𝐿 − 𝑉𝐿𝐿
% line regulation = 𝑉
𝑁𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙
Where,𝑉𝐻𝐿 = load voltage with high line voltage
𝑉𝐿𝐿 = Load voltage with low line voltage

2. Load regulation
Defined as the change in output voltage for a change in load current and expressed
in millivolts or as a percentage of V0 . Typical value for 7805 is 15 mV
𝑉𝑁𝐿 − 𝑉𝐹𝐿
% line regulation = 𝑉
𝐹𝐿
Where,𝑉𝑁𝐿 = load voltage with no load current
𝑉𝐹𝐿 = Load voltage with full load current
Important performance parameters
3. Ripple rejection
The regulator ICs not only keeps the output voltage constant but also
reduces the amount of ripple voltage. Expressed in dB. Typical value for
7805 is 78 dB.
The output ripple voltage can be expressed as
𝑉𝑅(𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑅(𝑜𝑢𝑡 =
1 + 𝐴𝛽
The ripple rejection can be expressed as
𝑉𝑅(𝑜𝑢𝑡
𝑅. 𝑅 =
𝑉𝑅(𝑖𝑛
IC regulator used as current source
Current booster circuit
Important formulas:
 Problem
For the current booster circuit using 7805, calculate the output current coming
from 7805 and IC coming from transistor Q1 for loads 100Ω, 5Ω, 1Ω. Assume
VBE (ON)=1V, β= 15, R1 = 7Ω.

Answer:
For 100 Ω load, IL = 50 mA, I0 = 50 mA, IC = 0
For 5 Ω load, IL = 1 A, I0 = 196 mA, IC = 804 mA
For 1 Ω load, IL = 5 A, I0 = 446 mA, IC = 4.55 A
Fixed regulator used as adjustable regulator
Problem:
723 General Purpose Regulator
IC 723 PIN Diagram
IC 723 as low voltage regulator (Vo= 2V to 7V)
IC 723 as high voltage regulator (Vo>7V)
Switching Regulator
Sample question paper
End of Unit 7