The purpose of this paper is to detail a variable dual lab power supply circuit which has an adjustable range from 3V, 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, and 15V or even more at a current rate of 1 amp.
Written By: Dhrubajyoti Biswas
The Dual Power Supply Concept
In regard to positive volt it is preferable to use IC LM317 [-3V,-5V,-6V,-9V,-12V,-15V at 1A] and use LM337 as the negative volt. The voltage can further be controlled by S2 [+Vout] and S3 [-Vout]. The size of the transformer is set to 2A and furthermore the IC enables holding the heat sink.
However, for this development we would like to develop a dual positive power supply, ground and negative so as to experiment it in different circuits.
In addition, we can also experiment OP-amp IC – LM741, which uses the power supply voltage of +9 volts and -9 Volts. Even when we use tone control circuits or preamplifier circuit, they will use voltage supply of +15 volts and -15 volts.
Nevertheless, the circuit that we design here will be useful because a) The circuit has the capacity to enable positive voltage and even negative voltage [at 3 volts, 5 volts, 6 volts, 9 volts, 12 volts, 15 volts respectively keeping the output of the current under 1.5 amps; b)
The circuit is best to use with rotating selector switch, which will give the freedom to select the level voltage. Moreover, you won’t require any voltsmeter to measure the voltage of the output; c) The circuit is simple and the IC used for it LM317 and LM337 are cheap and can be easily procured from the market.
Circuit Diagram
How the circuit works
In this dual variable power supply circuit IN4001 – D3 and D4 diode acts as the full-wave rectifier. The waveform is then filtered to ease the capacitor C1 (2, 200uF). Then the input of LM317T (ICI) acts to regulate the IC in a positive mode. Furthermore, it also adjusts the voltage of 1.2-37 volts and enable provision of maximum current output of 1.5 amps.
Point to Note
- The output of the voltage can alter because of the value of change in Resistor R2 and further alters R3 to R8. This is accomplished by S2 selector switch and you can choose the resistance as per your need, in order to gain the voltage level from 3, 5, 6, 9, 12 and 15 volts.
- The C2 (22uF) measured with high impedance and further reduces to transient on the output of ICI-LM317T.
- The C3 (0.1uF) capacitor is used when IC1 is installed keeping distance from C1.
- The C5 (22uF) capacitor, before being amplified and as the output of the voltage goes up acts as ripple signal.
- The C9 capacitor is used to low down the ripple in the output.
- The D5 and D7 diode (IN4001) in the circuit is used to protect IC1 from the discharge of C7 and C5, in situation when the input is in short circuit.
- With regard to the negative mode, it follows similar principle like that of the positive mode. Here, D1, D2 are the rectifier diodes in a model where the rectifier is in full wave. The IC IC2-LM337T is regulated by negative DC.
Aforesaid is the process to develop an adjustable dual power supply. However, if you need the voltage to be variable in nature [for instance, 4.5V,7.5V,13V et al], simply add the VR1 in IC1-LM317 and IC2- LM337 pin.
If a rotary switch is used instead of a potentiometer, as shown in the diagram, make sure to use a rotary switch having a "make before break " feature which will ensure that while operating the rotary switch, the output does not swing to the maximum voltage level during the split second transitional disconnection of the switch contacts. The "make before break" feature is specially designed to prevent such situations from occurring.
Calculating the Resistor Values:
The values of the various fixed resistors could be calculated either through this calculator software or using the following formula:
VO = VREF (1 + R2 / R1) + (IADJ × R2)
Where R1 = 270 ohms as given in the diagram, R2 = the individual resistors connected with the rotary switch, and VREF = 1.25
For most applications IADJ could be simply ignored since it's value will be too small
About the Author
I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials. If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!
sir i hope am not disturbing you but am a little bit confused if i change the lm317 in the circiut to lm196 or lm396 what ic am i going to use to replace LM337
yes that may not be possible, because it seems there’s no negative complementary IC for LM196
sir can i use lm196 or lm338 for both ic to get high current up to 10amps or are there any other ic that can replace the ones in the diagram for higher current up to 10amp
Marvin, you can use LM196 or LM396 for getting upto 10 amps by adding adequate heatsinking to th IC.
sir what change do i have to make to get 6 or 7 amps from the circiut will i have to wire more lm312 ic in parallel at both sides
Abioye, adding more ICs in parallel can be complex, instead you can try the following alternative design
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/0-to-50v-0-to10amp-variable-dual-power/
Sir please am doing a project on a DC regulated power supply with voltage of 2v,6v and 9v…
I find this circuit diagram very useful but am having some doubt’s about excluding other resistors in the circuit and use the necessary ones I require.
Please its an urgent project
Flynn, you can remove the switching resistors which are not required…
I found it is important to use a rotary switch that connects the next pole before disconnecting the first one. Otherwise as you rotate the control there is a brief moment where it is open circuit. This will result in a high voltage spike on the output. Possibly damaging the connected device. With a “ make before break” type there will be a brief voltage drop as you rotate. Not normally an issue.
Thanks for pointing out the issue, I will update the info in the article soon.
sir, with a center tap 12-0-12 transformer will it be possible to get two positive 12v from each side?
if yes, kindly help me out with the circuit diagram
if no, can I use the negative (-12v) of the center tap transformer to supply circuit that requires +12
sir what I really what to do is to simply two separate circuit (that is 1. the egg Turner timer circuit and 2. the temperature control circuit) with the same center tap transformer
Patrick, for getting two separate +12V lines you simply need to bifurcate one +12V from a bridge rectifier output into to positives lines using two separate diode. that's…a center tap is not required for this.
the ground will be common for both these +12V lines
Sir,
In circuit diagram ic LM317 output pin
direct short with Adjust pin
thanks Ubaid, it's a drawing mistake, there should be a diode there instead of a short
Sir Swagatam Majumdar !!!
i have simulated this circuit but it is not giving proper output voltages.
i.e when rotatory switch is connected with 3k resistance ,it gives 21.43 voltages
when rotatory switch is connected with 3k resistance ,it gives 21.34 voltages etc what should i do.
Errors are expected in Simulation…have you made it on Hardware???
Asif, I have not made it practically, but the design looks very obvious and straightforward, so there's no harm in building it practically and tweaking the results with some trial and error….there's nothing in the design that might blow of or burn during the testing process…
Thanks sir.
i will give it a try very soon.
Thanks for your informative posts.
Sharing is Caring 🙂
you are welcome!!