3.

SERIES VOLTAGE REGULATOR

17.1 AIM
1. To design, setup and study a series voltage regulator.
2. To plot its load and line regulation characteristics and find out its different parameters.
17.2 COMPONENTS AND EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED
SL

NAME OF THE

NO: COMPONENTS/EQUIPMENTS
1
Transistor

TYPE

SPECIFICATIONS/

BC107

RANGE
1

Diodes

2N3055
Zener

1
SZ5.6

Resistor

Carbon

330,0.25W

Film
Resistor

470,0.25W
390,0.25W
620,0.25W

Rheostat

Voltmeter

MC

(0-30)V

Ammeter

MC

0-1A

DC source

1k

Dual DC
regulated

Bread Board

0-30V
Size 17.56.4cm,
Node Dia 0.4mm

Connecting Wires

Single
Strand

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

1/22(SWG)

DESIGN
Output Requirements VO =10V, IL =500mA when input is in the range 155V.
Selection of zener The reference voltage is taken such that V Z = Vo/2 =10V/2=5V. Select 5.6 V
zener(PO =0.33W, VZ =5.1V, rd = 8 @ Iz =10mA)
Selection of transistor Transistor should be able to handle high power. Hence selesct the
transistor 2N3055. T2 is an error amplifier.Hence BC107.
Design of R2 Assume I1<< IL ,take I1 = 10mA
Assume ID =10mA for the zener to get sufficient current.
VR2 = I1 R2 = VZ + VBE2 =5.6+0.6 = 6.2V.
6.2V
=
R2 = I 1

6.2V
10mA

= 620

Design of R1
VO = VR1 + VR2 So, VR1 = Vo - VR2 =10 -6.2 =3.8V
3.8V
=
I1 R1 = 3.8V. Then R1 = 10mA 380. Use 390 std.

Design of RD
VZ + VRD = VO So, VRD = VO - VZ =10-5.6=4.4V.
ID RD = 4.4V. So . RD = 440. Use 470.
Design of R3
IE1 = IL + I1 + ID = 520Ma
IB1 = Base current of T1 = IE1 /(1+ hFE1) = 25mA ,since minimum hFE =20.
I3 = IB1 + IC2.Assume IC2 =2mA .Then I3 = 25mA + 2mA =27mA.
Now Vi = VR3 + VBE + VO
So, VR3= Vi - VBE - VO =20-0.6-10 =9.4V
I3 R3 =9.4V. So R3 =9.4V/27mA =350
Design of RL
RL = VO / IL =10V/500mA = 20.
Power rating of RL =(0.5)220 = 5W
Therefore 22,5W or a 1k,1A rheostat.

OBSERVATIONS
Table 16.1 Line Regulation

Table 16.2 Load Regulation

IL= 10mA

Vin = 10V

VO(Volts)

Vin(volts)

VO(Volts)

IL (mA)

MODEL GRAPH

Fig 16.2 Line Regulation

Fig 16.3 Load Regulation

4.3 THEORY
A voltage regulator is designed to maintain the output voltage of a power supply constant
against the variations of input voltage, changes of load or changes in temperature. The fig shows
a two transistor series voltage regulator. In this circuit, transistor T1 is a series pass element
which functions as an emitter follower and T2 functions as a voltage comparator and a dc
amplifier.
SVR functions as a closed loop control system. Suppose the load voltage rises due to the
variation in the input voltage, then the voltage at the base of T2 increases. Since the emitter
potential of T2 is held constant by a zener diode, its base to emitter voltage increases. Then its
collector current increases and collector potential decreases. Since T1 acts as an emitter follower,
emitter potential of T1 follows the potential at its base. Fall in emitter potential of transistor T1
offset the initial increase in load voltage.
Conversely, if the load voltage decreases, base potential of T2 decreases and its emitter
potential increases. So any attempt in the change of load voltage is compensated by negative
feedback

The cause-effect relationship of series voltage regulator is given by the expression

VO VBE2 VCE2 IC2 VB1 VE1 VO
Since more voltage gets dropped across the transistor, power transistor is used as the series
pass element. A heat sink need to be attached with the transistor if the load current is high.
16.4 PROCEDURE
1. Wire the circuit shown in the fig after testing all the components.
2.Note down the output voltage for the input the voltage varying from 10-30V steps of 1V, plot
the line regulation graph with Vin along x-axis VO along y axis.
3.Calculate this regulation using the input voltage constant and note the output voltage for
various values of load current starting from 0-50mA or more by varying RL using a pot.
4.To calculate %load regulation, mark VNL and VFL on y axis on the load regulation graph. VNL is
the output voltage in the absence of load resistor and V FL corresponds to rated IL. Calculate the
% load regulation as per the equation

VR =

V NLV FL
V NL

100%

5 Calculate the output impedance using the expression:

Changeoutputvoltage
RO = Changeoutput cur ent =
16.5 RESULT
Designed and setup a series voltage regulator
Percentage load regulation = %
Percentage line regulation = %
Output impedance =

VO
IO