Transistorized Series Voltage Regulator

By:
Roll No. 37 38 39 Name Rizwan Khan Nikunj Khandelwal Disha Khanna

1. Abstract:
A zener diode regulator can maintain a fairly constant voltage across a load resistor. However the efficiency and regulation is poor. Therefore to increase the efficiency,we use an amplifier in series with the load.This circuit is known as the linear series voltage regulator because the transistor is used in series with the load.

Keywords: Series, transistor, zener voltage, base Component List: Working:

Sr. No. 1 2

Instrument / Component Transistor Resistors

Range / Value 2N3055 100/2W, 12/10W

A Zener diode is a diode that block current until a specified voltage is applied. Remember also that the applied voltage is called the breakdown, or Zener voltage. Zener diodes are available with different Zener voltages. When the Zener voltage is reached, the Zener diode conducts from its anode to its cathode (with the direction of the arrow). In this voltage regulator, Q1 has a constant voltage applied to its base. This voltage is often called the reference voltage. As changes in the circuit output voltage occur, they are sensed at the emitter of Q1 producing a corresponding change in the forward bias of the transistor. In other words, Q1 compensates by increasing or decreasing its resistance in order to change the circuit voltage division. Now, study figure 4-35. Voltages are shown to help you understand how the regulator operates. The Zener used in this regulator is a 15-volt

3 4 5

Potentiometer 150/3W Zener Diode Dual Power Supply 6.8V/1W 0-32 V

Circuit Diagram:

Zener. In this instance the Zener or breakdown voltage is 15 volts. The Zener establishes the value of the base voltage for Q1. The output voltage will equal the Zener voltage minus a 0.7-volt drop across the forward biased base-emitter junction of Q1, or 14.3 volts. Because the output voltage is 14.3 volts, the voltage drop across Q1 must be 5.7 volts. Figure 4-35. - Series voltage regulator (with voltages).

Figure 4-36B. - Series voltage regulator. DECREASE IN OUTPUT

Study figure 4-36, view A, in order to understand what happens when the input voltage exceeds 20 volts. Notice the input and output voltages of 20.1 and 14.4 volts, respectively. The 14.4 output voltage is a momentary deviation, or variation, from the required regulated output voltage of 14.3 and is the result of a rise in the input voltage to 20.1 volts. Since the base voltage of Q1 is held at 15 volts by CR1, the forward bias of Q1 changes to 0.6 volt. Because this bias voltage is less than the normal 0.7 volt, the resistance of Q1 increases, thereby increasing the voltage drop across the transistor to 5.8 volts. This voltage drop restores the output voltage to

14.3 volts. The entire cycle takes only a fraction of a second and, therefore, the change is not visible on an oscilloscope or readily measurable with other standard test equipment. Figure 4-36A. - Series voltage regulator. INCREASE IN OUTPUT

The schematic shown in figure 4-37 is that of a shunt voltage regulator. Notice that Q1 is in parallel with the load. Components of this circuit are identical with those of the series voltage regulator except for the addition of fixed resistor RS. As you study the schematic, you will see that this resistor is connected in series with the output load resistance. The current limiting resistor (R1) and Zener diode (CR1) provide a constant reference voltage for the base-collector junction of Q1. Notice that the bias of Q1 is determined by the voltage drop across RS and R1. As you should know, the amount of forward bias across a transistor affects its total resistance. In this case, the voltage drop across RS is the key to the total circuit operation.

View B is a schematic diagram for the same series voltage regulator with one significant difference. The output voltage is shown as 14.2 volts instead of the desired 14.3 volts. In this case, the load has increased causing a lowered voltage drop across RL to 14.2 volts. When the output decreases, the forward bias of Q1 increases to 0.8 volt because Zener diode CR1 maintains the base voltage of Q1 at 15 volts. This 0.8 volt is the difference between the Zener reference voltage of 15 volts and the momentary output voltage. (15 V - 14.2 V = 0.8 V). At this point, the larger forward bias on Q1 causes the resistance of Q1 to decrease, thereby causing the voltage drop across Q1 to return to 5.7 volts. This then causes the output voltage to return to 14.3 volts.

A controlled transistor series regulator is shown in the figure. The circuit is quite similar to that of a simple transistor series voltage regulator except that an additional transistor Q2 is inserted in the circuit. The emitter terminal of this transistor Q2 is connected to the negative terminal of input supply through a Zener diode. The base of this additional transistor is connected to the variable tap of a potentiometer. This voltage regulator employs the principle of negative feedback to hold the output voltage almost constant despite variations in supply voltage and /or load

current. That is why this regulator is also called a negative feedback regulator. Transistor Q1 the control element, is called the pass transistor because all the load current flows through it. Zener diode and resistor R4 act as a reference element. The voltage divider (or potentiometer) consisting of resistors R1 and R2 samples the output voltage and de-livers a negative feedback voltage to the base of transistor Q2 and this feedback voltage (VF = VBE + VZ) controls the collector current of transistor Q2.

Advantages:
Since the zener diode is connected in the base circuit(as base current is very small) the zener diode can have small power rating. Hence it leads to better stability and lower costs. Efficiency varies little with Variations in Load current.

Operation
Suppose the output voltage increases (due to any reason), the voltage across R2 is also increased as it is part of the output circuit. This causes an increase in voltage (VBE2 + Vz ). As a result IB2 and also Ic2, increases. Assuming I3 relatively constant, IB decreases. Decrease in base current of transistor Q1 causes the increase in collector-emitter resistance of transistor Q1. This causes an increase in V^ thereby off-setting the increase in output voltage. Thus output voltage remains constant. Reverse happens should the outputvoltage decrease.The voltage V2 provided by the potential divider R1-R2 must be equal to the sum of the base-emitter voltage of transistor Q2 and the Zener diode. That is VBE2 + Vz = V2 = R2 / (R1 + R2) * Vout Vout = (1 + R1/R2) (VBE2 + Vz) = Af (VBE2 + Vz) Thus the regulated output voltage is equal to the closed-loop gain multiplied by the sum of Zener voltage and base-emitter voltage of transistor Q2 (the sensing element).

Disadvantages:
It has no overload/short-circuit protection. Due to high power dissipation output of the power supply is limited to 30-40 V, as safe value of VCE is 50 V. High cost & complicated to design with protection ckts.

Applications:
Normally used in applications where variation in load is large. This regulator is often used as a "preregulator" in more advanced series voltage regulator circuits.

Conclusion:
Altough the series transistrorized regulator is more stable & efficient, it is not preferred to be used because of the various drawbacks. Hence series transistorized regulators are rarely used.

References:
Electronic Devices & Circuits by M. H. Rashid http://www.circuitstoday.com/controlledtransistor-series-regulator#ixzz1TYrCuSt

Design:
Simulating the circuit using MultiSim2001 Transferring the circuit onto Ultiboard for pcb designing Creating the pcb layout Itching Soldering