Voltage Regulator

Voltage regulator is a device which provides fix output voltage in spite of the variable input
voltage supplied. It is a three terminal device. Voltage regulator basically comes in two
different series: 78XX and 79XX. Voltage regulator under 78XX series are designed for
positive inputs i.e. if while 79XX series are designed for negative inputs. In market variety
of voltage regulators are available with output as 6V, 9V, 12V, 15V etc. Voltage regulator
can also withstand over current drawn due to short circuit or overheating. It will cut off the
circuit before damage occurs. One must take care while mounting the regulator because
reverse polarity may destroy the regulator.
Pin configuration of negative and positive voltage regulator are shown in fig.

As we know that output of regulator is fixed but with the help of voltage divider rule we can
use 5V regulator to deliver 12V. But reverse is not possible that is we cannot obtain 5V from
12V regulator.
How we have calculated the value of resistor for different voltagesSuppose value of resistor connected between com and output pin of regulator be
470ohm(R1).This means we have 10.6mA current (because V =5V and V = IR) available
between pin, com and output. There would be some stand-by current of about 2.5mA which
will be available between rotary switch and ground. Therefore total current available will be
approx. 13.1mA. Now, lets say we want 5V to 12V from this circuit. For minimum 5V, we
will directly get this from regulator output. But if you want maximum 12V, then apart from
5V,additional 7V would require selection of appropriate resistor.
Here R =?
V = 7V
I =13.1mA
Therefore V =I*R
R = 543ohm
Therefore, we have to connect resistor of 543ohm with 470ohm to get the desire output of
12V. But resistor of this value might not be easily available, so we can use resistor that has
values near to it viz. 560ohm.

Now if you want to obtain different voltage between 5V and 12V use different values of
resistor like if you want to obtain 6V thenV =6V
I = 10.6mA
R = 6V/10.6mA
R = 566ohm
But we have already connected resistor R1 of 470ohm so, for 6V we have to use resistor
value =100ohm( 566- 470ohm= 96 approx 100ohm). Similarly, you can calculate different
values of resistor for obtaining different voltages.
In this circuit we have used different resistors to obtain different values of voltage. You can
also use a variable resistor to obtain the different values of voltage with a single resistor.

IC 7805 (Voltage Regulator IC)

7805 is a voltage regulator integrated circuit. It is a member of 78xx series of fixed linear
voltage regulator ICs. The voltage source in a circuit may have fluctuations and would not
give the fixed voltage output. The voltage regulator IC maintains the output voltage at a
constant value. The xx in 78xx indicates the fixed output voltage it is designed to provide.
7805 provides +5V regulated power supply. Capacitors of suitable values can be connected at
input and output pins depending upon the respective voltage levels.
Pin Diagram:

Pin Description:

Pin No
1
2
3

Function
Input voltage (5V-18V)
Ground (0V)
Regulated output; 5V (4.8V-5.2V)

Name
Input
Ground
Output

IC 7905
7905 is a voltage regulator integrated circuit. It is a member of 79xx series of fixed linear
voltage regulator ICs. The voltage source in a circuit may have fluctuations and would not
give the fixed voltage output. The voltage regulator IC maintains the output voltage at a
constant value. The xx in 78xx indicates the fixed output voltage it is designed to
provide. 7905 provides a regulated supply of -5 V and 1A current. Its additional features
include internal thermal overload protection, short circuit protection and output transistor safe
operating area compensation.
Pin Diagram:

Pin Description:

Pin No
1
2
3

Function
Ground (0V)
Input voltage (5V-18V)
Regulated output; 5V (4.8V-5.2V)

Name
Ground
Input
Output