Parts: LM317 adjustable voltage regulator

posted Sep 22nd 2008 12:24pm by Ian
filed under: classic hacks, misc hacks, parts

Every project needs a power supply. As 3.3volt logic replaces 5volt systems, we’re reaching for the LM317 adjustable voltage regulator, rather than the classic 7805. We’ve found four different hobbyist-friendly packages for different situations.

A simple voltage divider (R1,R2) sets the LM317 output between 1.25volts and 37volts; use this handy LM317 calculator to find resistor values. The regulator does its best to maintain 1.25volts on the adjust pin (ADJ), and converts any excess voltage to heat. Not all packages are the same. Choose a part that can supply enough current for your project, but make sure the package has sufficient heat dissipation properties to burn off the difference between the input and output voltages.

Here is a breakdown of the voltage regulators illustrated above:

IC1 LM317LZ 200mA, TO-92 ($0.59) – This is the smallest common LM317 voltage regulator. The part linked can supply 200mA, but 100mA is more common. The TO-92 package can get searing hot because it doesn’t dissipate much heat.

IC2 LM317T 1.5amps, TO-220 ($0.64) – At 1.5amps, this regulator supplies enough power for most digital circuits. We prefer the surface-mount D2Pack version (IC4) because we don’t like to drill holes. The TO-220 package dissipates a ton of heat, and the metal tab will accommodate a heat sink if you want even more cooling. Use this package if you need maximum heat dissipation.

IC3 LM317MDCYR 500mA, SOT-223 ($0.80) – This is our favorite LM317 package. 500mA is plenty of power for many projects, and the small SOT-223 package fits about anywhere.

IC4 LM317D2T 1.5amps, D2Pack ($0.83) – We design with the D2Pack regulator when a circuit uses more than 400mA of current. D2Pack is a surface-mount version of TO-220 that’s easy to solder.

Footprints for all LM317 packages are included in the default Cadsoft Eagle v-reg (voltage regulators) part library.

Want to learn more about the LM317? Instructables, [ladyada], and SparkFun Electronics have detailed LM317 power supply tutorials.

Comments [28]

tagged: 7805, adjustable voltage regulator, LM317, parts, parts monday, voltage regulator

Reader Comments

LM317 can also be used as a current limiter by tying the output pin to the adj pin through a resistor. The limited current is on the adj side of the resistor.

IO = (Vref/R1) + IADJ = 1.25V/R1

Posted at 12:39 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by jimmys

LM2937ET-3.3

Love the 317 for misc voltages however, I do dislike linear, power wasting regulators over all though.

Posted at 12:51 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Jason Rollette

I hope that there will be more posts on the parts series!

Posted at 2:10 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by E. Thompson

What’s wrong with a fixed 3.3v regulator? It saves 2 resistors.

Posted at 2:41 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Tom

@Tom: Nothing wrong with a fix one, for a final or working beta, but for prototyping, having a couple of spare adjustable regulators helps more.

Posted at 2:55 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by cde

Parts series is a good step away drom Digg2 and back towards hacks. Hoping for more.

Posted at 3:39 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by abalastow compendium

I think switching regulator circuits have gotten easier to design and build. I tried to make a power supply from a National regulator one time, and it was a big pain. The inductor and main capacitor values depended on voltage and current, making it essentially impossible to make an adjustable supply, and it needed a lot of misc. components. Also, the inductor was huge, making a big circuit, and probably putting out a lot of EMI.

More recently, I made a switching regulator (actually a 3W LED driver circuit) from a Maxim chip, and it was a lot easier. The only components I had to figure out the values for were the current sense resistors, and all I needed to build the circuit was a FET, a diode, a couple of filter capacitors, and the sense resistors.

Right now, I’m working on a step-up converter using a MAX1771, and it looks like it will be just as easy as the step-down converter. the only issue is that I need the highest possible efficiency, so picking the components will be a little tricky.

Posted at 4:58 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Matt

anybody got a 3.3V regulator part#? something widely available and affordable.

thx

Posted at 5:07 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Farles

Used one of these in a project a while back, not bad but a lot more stable if you add the recommended caps/diodes to protect it. That said it has some funny current issues, will supply a decent constant current but seems almost useless at coping with short spikes. Very useful for adjustable voltage mind you.

Posted at 6:04 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by longpot

@matt & in general

The switchers are more involved because they require heavy loop compensation due to the LC double pole (if you want smaller inductors, design around a faster switching frequency in the regulator). However, you don’t really need to redesign your compensation for every output voltage, because it too utilizes a voltage division to set it. You’ll only affect your transient response, and it is marginal.

Moreover, switchers are best used for heavier load applications (you can find National switchers for just about any load current, but anything sub 1A is better regulated by an LDO in my opinion).

Posted at 8:31 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by justaguy

On the subject of DC-DC regulators, does anyone know of one (buy or circuit diagram) that can deliver 10v @ 2.5A from a voltage source of between 24 & 30v?

Posted at 9:05 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Haku

@haku

http://webench.national.com/ss1/ss?VinMin=24&VinMax=30&O1V=10&O1I=2.5&op_TA=30&O2V=&O2I=&O3V=&O3I=&onpin=I&err=I&sync=I&disty=&submit.x=36&submit.y=-1

Posted at 9:37 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by justaguy

On the note of voltage regulators, anyone know of a decent regulator that is more efficient? (a.k.a. doesn’t use heat dissipation) that makes battery packs more suitable? it there a way to effectively use a buck-boost circuit with a battery pack to squeeze more juice when the batts run below the nominal voltage?

Posted at 10:10 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by pwned88

@ pwned88 – I use these switchers myself in battery powered stuff

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SW050.htm

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SW033.htm

http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SWADJ.htm

They replace the linear regulator and work well.

Posted at 10:19 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Hrpuffnstuffatgmaildotcom

This was not hackaday worthy post, very off theme… bring a project instead next time.

Posted at 10:28 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Daniel

classic 7805 can be used as an adjustable voltage regulator too, just dont connect middle pin directly to ground, I believe datasheet have right schematic for such configuration.

yes linear are power wasting regulators but if you building audio or radio you dont want additional noise

Posted at 10:47 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by therian

@Farles

I don’t know of a simple 3.3 volt linear regulator, something like a “7803.3″, so I use the LM317. There are several 3.3 volt (and 3.3/2.8 dual supply) LDO (low drop out) voltage regulators.

Posted at 10:50 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by Ian Lesnet

The LD1117V33 is a linear 3.3V regulator available in a friendly TO-220 package. Cheap and easy to use, just like the trusty 7805 (just add two caps).

http://octopart.com/search?q=ld1117v33

Posted at 11:06 pm on Sep 22nd, 2008 by dino

These notes I’ve made about powering circuits and the UCC283 range of LDO voltage regulators might be of interest:

http://code.rancidbacon.com/LearningHowToPowerCircuits

http://code.rancidbacon.com/LearningAboutUCC283

–Phil.

Posted at 1:09 am on Sep 23rd, 2008 by follower

i’d like to see more of this kind of posts!!! reminds me of the good ol’ days back in tech school… keep em coming…

Posted at 2:32 am on Sep 23rd, 2008 by dink3r

We’ll be happy to take requests for Monday parts posts in the comments.

Last week we looked at tactile switches:
http://hackaday.com/2008/09/15/tact-switches-for-your-next-project/

Posted at 4:18 am on Sep 23rd, 2008 by Ian Lesnet

@dino – thanks for the link.

The ld1117v33 is a 3.3volt low drop out regulator. Here’s a cheap one from Mouser.com:
http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=arR7071FstdSYX%2fAthFGRA%3d%3d

Posted at 4:22 am on Sep 23rd, 2008 by Ian Lesnet

@therian: actually, almost all audio consumer applications use switchers, the ubiquitious class-D amp. switchers are also widely used in radios, due to the eventual lower cost, at a significant power level. so-called audiophiles shie away from switchers, but it’s usually due to a lack of comprehension about how to properly design and filter them, rather than an inherent advantage in other types (such as class-a/ab). there are very high-class, audiophile-grade equipment which properly use class-D amps.

Posted at 5:36 am on Sep 23rd, 2008 by carlton

I’ll add zetex to the list for a low quiescent current (0.6ma) 3.3v regulator:

http://www.zetex.com/3.0/product_portfolio.asp?pno=ZSR330

several other voltages are also available.

Posted at 3:12 pm on Sep 23rd, 2008 by jimmys

That’s a blast from the past. I was using LM317s in kludged circuits in the mid 1970s.

Posted at 8:27 pm on Sep 23rd, 2008 by DB

Class-D digital amp(remember enthusiast trying to get sound from early apple ?, same thing just faster speed), it just so terrible idea. Power efficient – Yes, will ewer produce something better then beeeep – No

Posted at 12:26 am on Sep 24th, 2008 by therian

wow! good to start with.
There are few parameters to find out, such as: output ripple, frequency response, questient current, how to switch it off, and the price..

Posted at 2:48 am on Dec 2nd, 2008 by brakes

Is there anyone knows the circuit for the variable speed motor controller having 90VDC, 1/30HP motor. I need a controller for this motor. I already made for 24VDC motor but I need now is for 90VDC variable speed controller. Thanks.

Posted at 8:50 pm on Mar 5th, 2009 by sam

Parts: LM317 adjustable voltage regulator

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