Voltage Regulators

• All electronic devices are designated to run at predetermined power

ratings, i.e. voltage and current.
• While current consumption is dynamic and depends on the device
load, the voltage supply is fixed and ideally constant for the proper
functioning of the device.
• A voltage regulator is responsible to maintain this ideal voltage
needed for the device.
• Your laptop, wall charger, and coffee maker all have voltage
regulators.
What is a voltage regulator?
• The power supply unit of an electronic device converts incoming
power into the desired type (AC-DC or DC-AC) and desired
voltage/current characteristics.
• A voltage regulator is a component of the power supply unit that
ensures a steady constant voltage supply through all operational
conditions. It regulates voltage during power fluctuations and
variations in loads. It can regulate AC as well as DC voltages.
• A voltage regulator usually takes in higher input voltage and
gives a lower, more stable output voltage. Their secondary
use is also to protect the circuit against voltage spikes that
can potentially damage the circuit/appliance.
Types
• Voltage regulators used in low-voltage electronic devices are usually
integrated circuits.
• Linear regulators are simple transistor-based devices usually
packaged as ICs. Their internal circuitry uses differential amplifiers to
control output voltage against a reference voltage. Linear voltage
regulators may implement fixed output or have an adjustable control.
They typically need input current comparable to the output current.
• A) Series Linear Regulators
• B) Shunt Linear Regulators
• Switching regulators toggle a series device ON/OFF at high frequency,
varying the duty cycle of voltage transferred as output.
• Their common topologies are buck, boost, and buck-boost. Buck
converters are more efficient during voltage step down and are still
• Video Clip about Voltage Regulators and Types
Series DC Voltage Regulator
A) Sampling Unit:
The sampling unit takes a sample from the o/p voltage and feed to the error
detector stage. In the error detector stage compare the o/p voltages with
reference voltages and give the error signal to the control element, which
control the o/p voltage.
B) Reference Voltage
This stage provides reference voltages to the error detector stage for the
comparison. In the reference voltage stage normally the zener diodes are used.
C) Control Element
The control element of the series voltage regulator is used and amplified
signals to keep o/p voltage constant.
D) Error Detector
This stage gets a sample from the sampling unit, compare it with the reference
voltage and give the error signal to the control element for controlling the o/p
voltage.
Basic Op-Amp Series Voltage Regulator

In the series voltage regulator the controlling element (Q) is

connected in series
• In the figure of basic op-amplifier series voltage regulator , the op-amp is
used as comparator .
• Resistor R2 and R3 is the voltage divider network which is used to sense
any change at the o/p.
• The change sensed by the divider network is applied at the inverting i/p of
the comparator, while the reference voltage hold by the zener diode is
applied at the non-inverting i/p of the comparator is applied at the base of
transistor “Q
• When the o/p voltage decreases because of the decrease in i/p voltage ,
the voltage drop across R1,R2 decreases and so this error voltage (-ve) is
sensed by the divider network which is applied at the inverting i/p of the
comparator.
• The comparator compare the reference constant voltage and the –ve error
voltage and provide the difference (+ve) of the two voltages at the o/p as
i/p at the base of transistor . The transistor conduct according to the
forward bias voltage at the base and so, the o/p voltage remain constant.
• When the o/p voltage tries to increase, the voltage sensed by the
divider network is increased . This is applied at the inverting i/p of the
comparator. The comparator provide the difference (-ve) of the two
voltage at the i/p of Q1 and so, the conduction of transistor decreases
to the constant (required) voltage level.”.
OP-amp Series Shunt VR
 IC 723
• It is one of the popular general purpose precision regulator.
• It is a monolithic linear integrated circuit in different physical
packages.
• The pin diagram of IC 723 Voltage Regulator along with the various
packages is shown in the Fig.
Features of IC723
• It is a variable voltage Regulator (unlike 7805 a fixed 5v regulator)
• It works as voltage regulator at output voltage ranging from 2 to 37 volts at
currents upto 150 mA.
• It can be used at load currents greater than 150 mA with use of suitable NPN or
PNP external pass transistors.
• Input and output short-circuit protection is provided.
• It has good line and load regulation (0.03%).
• Wide variety of applications of series, shunt, switching and floating regulator.
• Low temperature drift and high ripple rejection.
• Low standby current drain.
• Small size, lower cost.
• Relative ease with which power supply can be designed.
• It provides a choice of supply voltage.
Functional Block Diagram
The functional block diagram of IC 723 Voltage Regulator can be
divided into four major blocks:

1. 1. Temperature compensated voltage reference source, which is

zener diode.
2. An op-amp circuit used as an error amplifier.

3. A series pass transistor capable of a 150 mA output current.

4. Transistor used to limit output current.

 Explanation
• Temperature compensated zener diode, constant current source and
reference amplifier constitutes the reference element. In order to get
a fixed voltage from zener diode, the constant current source forces
the zener to operate at a fixed point.
• Output voltage is compared with this temperature compensated
reference potential of the order of 7 volts. For this Vref is connected to
the non-inverting input of the error amplifier.
• This error amplifier is high gain differential amplifier. It’s inverting
input is connected to the either whole regulated output voltage or
part of that from outside. For later case a potential divider of two
scaling resistors is used. Scaling resistors help in getting multiplied
reference voltage or scaled up reference voltage
• Error amplifier controls the series pass transistor Q1, which acts as
variable resistor. The series pass transistor is a small power transistor
having about 800 mW dissipation. The unregulated power supply source
(< 36V d.c.) is connected to collector of series pass transistor.
• Transistor Q2 acts as current limiter in case of short circuit condition. It
senses drop across Rsc placed in series with regulated output voltage
externally.
• The frequency compensation terminal controls the frequency response
of the error amplifier. The required roll-off is obtained by connecting a
small capacitor of 100 pF between frequency compensation and
inverting input terminals.
• The internal structure can be represented in more simplified form as
shown in the Fig.
•
Simplified Internal Structure of IC723
Both noninverting and inverting
terminals of the error amplifier
are available on outside pins of
IC 723.
Due to this, device becomes
versatile and flexible to use.
Only restriction is that internal
reference voltage is 7 volts and
therefore we have to use two
different circuits for getting
regulated outputs of below 7
volts and above 7 volts.
• Basic Low-voltage Regulator (Vo = 2 to 7 volts)
• Low Voltage High Current Regulator
• Basic Positive High Voltage Regulator
• Positive High Voltage High Current Regulator
• Negative Voltage Regulator
Applications

• Basic Low-voltage Regulator (Vo = 2 to 7 volts)

• Low Voltage High Current Regulator
• Basic Positive High Voltage Regulator
• Positive High Voltage High Current Regulator
• Negative Voltage Regulator
PIN Description
• Pin1 (NC): Not connected
• Pin2 (Current Limit): This pin is used to limit the current
• Pin3 (Current Sense): This pin is used in foldback application as well as to limit the current
• Pin4 (Inverting Input): This pin provides stable o/p voltage
• Pin5 (Non-inverting Input): This pin is used to supply a reference voltage to the inside of the
operational amplifier.
• Pin6 (Vref): This pin provides an almost 7v reference voltage
• Pin7 (-Vcc): GND (Ground) Pin
• Pin8 (NC): Not connected
• Pin9 (Vz): This pin is generally used to make negative regulators
• Pin10 (Vout): This is the o/p pin
• Pin11 (Vc): This is the series pass transistor’s collector input. Generally, it is connected directly
to the +ve voltage supply if an exterior transistor is not used.
• Pin 12 (V+): This is the input of the positive supply
• Pin13 (Frequency Compensation): This pin assists in decreasing noise with a 100pf capacitor
• Pin 14 (NC): Not connected.
LM723 Features
• The features of the LM723 include the following.
• The unnecessary o/p current will be 150mA without using an exterior
pass transistor.
• The maximum input supply voltage will be 40V.
• It offers modifiable o/p from 3volts to 37volts.
• These ICs are used to make switching & linear regulator.
• It supplies 10A o/p current with the help of an external pass
transistor.
• These ICs are used for different operations such as positive, negative,
series, floating, and shunt.
Basic Low Voltage Regulator
 Switching Regulator
• A switching regulator (DC-DC converter) is a regulator (stabilized
power supply).

• A switching regulator can convert input direct current (DC) voltage to

the desired direct current (DC) voltage.
•
In an electronic or other device, a switching regulator takes the role of
converting the voltage from a battery or other power source to the
voltages required by subsequent systems.
• As the illustration below shows, a switching regulator can create an output
voltage (VOUT) that is higher (step-up, boost), lower (step-down, buck) or
has a polarity different than that of the input voltage (VIN).
• By turning a switching element ON and OFF, a switching
regulator enables high-efficiency electricity conversion as it supplies
the required amount of electricity only when needed.

• A linear regulator is another type of regulator (stabilized power

supply), but because it dissipates any surplus as heat in the voltage
conversion process between VIN and VOUT, it is not nearly as efficient
as a switching regulator.
• For example, if the input voltage (VIN) is 5.0V, output voltage (VOUT) is
2.5V and load current (IOUT) is 0.1A,
• In a linear regulator
Input power = Input voltage × Load current
= 5.0V × 0.1A
= 0.5W
Output power = Output voltage × Load current
= 2.5V × 0.1A
= 0.25W
Since efficiency = Output power ÷ Input power,
the efficiency of a linear regulator is 50%.
• A switching regulator, however, controls the period when the input
voltage is supplied by turning the switching element ON and OFF so
that VOUT becomes 2.5V. This time period when input voltage is
supplied is
• VOUT / VIN = 2.5V / 5.0V = 1/2
• From this we can see that voltage is supplied for half a period.
Similarly, if you try to obtain efficiency from the input and output
power, we get the following:
• Input power = Input voltage × Load current × 12
= 5.0V × 0.1A × 12
= 0.25W
Efficiency = Output power ÷ Input power,
we obtain a value of 100%. This is why a switching regulator provides
high efficiency.
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