The popular LM317 voltage regulator IC is designed to deliver not more than 1.5 amps, however by adding an outboard current boost transistor to the circuit it becomes possible to upgrade the regulator circuit to handle much higher currents, and upto any desired levels.
You might have already come across the 78XX fixed voltage regulator circuit which are upgraded to handle higher currents by adding an outboard power transistor to it, the IC LM317 is no exception and the same can be applied for this versatile variable voltage regulator circuit in order to upgrade its specs for handling massive amounts of current.
The Standard LM317 Circuit
The following image shows standard IC LM317 variable voltage regulator circuit, using a bare minimum of components in the form of a single fixed resistor, and a 10K pot.
This set up is supposed to offer a variable range of zero to 24V with an input supply of 30V. However if we consider the current range, it's not more than 1.5 amps regardless of the input supply current, since the chip is internally equipped to allow only up to 1.5 amps and inhibit anything that may be demanding above this limit.
The above shown design which is limited with a 1.5 amp max current can be upgraded with an outboard PNP transistor in order to boost the current on par with the input supply current, meaning once this upgrade is implemented the above circuit will retain its variable voltage regulation feature yet will be able to offer the full supply input current to the load, bypassing the IC's internal current limiting feature.
Calculating the Output Voltage
For calculating the output voltage of a LM317 power supply circuit the following formula could be used
VO = VREF (1 + R2 / R1) + (IADJ × R2)
where is = VREF = 1.25
Current ADJ can be actually ignored since it is usually around 50 µA and therefore too negligible.
Adding an Outboard Mosfet Booster
This current boost upgrade can be implemented by adding an outboard PNP transistor which may be in the form of a power BJT or a P-channel mosfet, as shown below, here we use a mosfet keeping things compact and allow a huge current upgrade in the specs.
In the above design, Rx becomes responsible for providing the gate trigger for the mosfet so that it's able to conduct in tandem with the LM317 IC and reinforce the device with the extra amount of current as specified by the input supply.
Initially when power input is fed to the circuit, the connected load which could be rated at much higher than 1.5 amps tries to acquire this current through the LM317 IC, and in the process a proportionate amount of negative voltage is developed across RX, causing the mosfet to respond and switch ON.
As soon as the mosfet is triggered the entire input supply tends to flow across the load with the surplus current, but since the voltage also begins to increase beyond the LM317 pot setting, causes the LM317 to get reverse biased.
This action for the moment switches OFF the LM317 which in turn shuts off the voltage across Rx and the gate supply for the mosfet.
Therefore the mosfet too tends to switch OFF for the instant until the cycle perpetuates yet again allowing the process to sustain infinitely with the intended voltage regulation and high current specs.
Calculating Mosfet Gate Resistor
Rx may be calculated as given under:
Rx = 10/1A,
where 10 is the optimal mosfet triggering voltage, and 1 amp is the optimal current through the IC before Rx develops this voltage.
Therefore Rx could be a 10 ohm resistor, with a wattage rating of 10 x 1 = 10 watt
If a power BJT is used, the figure 10 can be replaced with 0.7V
Although the above current boost application using the mosfet looks interesting, it has a serious drawback, as the feature completely strips off the IC from its current limiting feature, which can cause the mosfet to blow-of or get burnt in case the output is short circuited.
To counter this over-current or short-circuit vulnerability, another resistor in the form of Ry may be introduced with the source terminal of the mosfet as indicated in the following diagram.
The resistor Ry is supposed to develop a counter voltage across itself whenever the output current is exceeded above a given maximum limit such that the counter voltage at the source of the mosfet inhibits the gate triggering voltage of the mosfet forcing a complete shut off for the mosfet, and thus preventing the mosfet from getting burnt.
This modification looks pretty simple, however calculating Ry could be little confusing and I do not wish to investigate it deeper since I have a more decent and a reliable idea which can be also expected to execute a complete current control for the discussed LM317 outboard boost transistor application circuit.
Using a BJT for Current Control
The design for making the above design equipped with a boost current and also a short circuit and overload protection can be seen below:
An couple of resistors, and a BC547 BJT is all that may be required for inserting the desired short circuit protection to the modified current boost circuit for the LM317 IC.
Now calculating Ry becomes extremely easy, and may be evaluated with the following formula:
Ry = 0.7/current limit.
Here, 0.7 is the triggering voltage of the BC547 and the "current limit" is the maximum valid current that may specified for a safe operation of the mosfet, let's say this limit is specified to be 10amps, then Ry can be calculated as:
Ry = 0.7/10 = 0.07 ohms.
watts = 0.7 x 10 = 7 watts.
So now whenever the current tends to cross the above limit, the BC547 conducts, grounding the ADJ pin of the IC and shutting off the Vout for the LM317
Using BJTs for the Current Boost
If you are not too keen on using mosfet, in that case you could probably apply BJTs for the required current boosting as shown in the following diagram:
Courtesy: Texas Instruments
Adjustable Voltage/Current LM317 High Current Regulator
The following circuit shows a highly regulated LM317 based high current power supply, which will provide an output current of over 5 amps, and a variable voltage from 1.2 V to 30 V.
In the figure above we can see that the voltage regulation is implemented in the standard LM317 configuration through R6 pot which is connected with the ADJ pin of the LM317.
However, the op amp configuration is specifically included to feature the useful a full scale high current adjustment ranging from the minimum to the maximum 5 Amp control.
The 5 amp high current boost available from this design can be further increased to 10 amps by suitably upgrading the MJ4502 PNP outboard transistor.
The inverting input pin#2 of the op amp is used as reference input which is set by the pot R2. The other non-inverting input is used as the current sensor. The voltage developed across R6 through the current limiter resistor R3 is compared with the R2 reference which allows the output of the op amp to become low as soon the maximum set current is exceeded.
The low output from the op amp grounds the ADJ pin of the LM317 shutting it off and also the output supply, which in turn quickly reduces the output current and restores the LM317 working. The continuous ON/OFF operation ensures that the current is never allowed to reach above the set threshold adjusted by R2.
The maximum current level can be also modified by tweaking the value of the current limit resistor R3.
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Hi Swagatam
In this over current protection circuit using the BC547 and some resistors in parallel with the 10 k preset and calculate the Ry value, in your example you show for 10amps its 10x 0.7which is 7 watts, as high as being 10 amps or is it
10 x 0.07 which is 0.7 watts or a 1 watt
Just my doubt
Thanks Swagatam
Vee
Hi Vee,
It is 7 watts. 0.7 is minimum voltage required across the Ry resistor, and 10 amp is the maximum current limit, so the resistor wattage should be 7 watts
Hello sir thank you for these designs. For the Adjustable Voltage/Current LM317 High Current Regulator, what should I set the negative voltage into the op-amp? So I need a 337 regulator just for that voltage? Also, to do this to a bipolar supply, would I just reverse the caps, and the diodes, led. And of course power supply connections to the op-amp?
Hello Tony, you can use an 7905 IC and configure to get a desired -5V, or you the other variants like 7909 etc
However, for this you may also need the input supply source from a 24-0-12 transformer
Hi wanting to put two mosfets in parallel, how much does the mosfet activation resistance rx affect with the second mosfet in parallel
Hi, there will no effect since FETs are high input impedance devices, so the same Rx can work with the 2 devices.
Dear Sir,
please could you help me – can I use in the last circuit MOSFET IRF5210PBF for make a regulated power supply 1,2-30 V and 0-30 A DC? Or it is better to use a pair of BJT transistors in parallel (for example MJ15004). And I have o lot of LM338, it is better to use LM338 instead of LM317? (I don´t know – for stability?).
Hello Ervin, you can try it. R1 may need to be modified a bit, may be increased to 100 ohms. First try with a BJT, once the working is confirmed, you an replace the BJT with a MOSFET and modify R1 accordingly
Hello Swagatam, so I use powerful MOSFET IXTK170P10P, which withstands power loss up to 890 W. For a 15 A current I use 100 k pot and also resistors have different values (470 k versus 330 k). When I use o 100 ohm resistor for Gate voltage LM317T is almost cold. But there is problem with current stabilisation. Whend I used C3 and C8 = 10 microfarads, the whole system starts to oscillate with about 1 Hz. So I used C3 = 100 microF and C8 = 100 nF. Now it is stable, but when the current reaches setted value, the LM301 jump to -2 Volts on its output and LM317 will close 🙁 Two times it works perfectly, current stabilization kept the current precisely without differences (during testing and short circuit), but I do not know, why is it so unpredictable. Thanks for your answer.
Thank you Ervin, for trying the last circuit almost successfully, however for me it can be difficult diagnose the fault, basically since it was designed by the datasheet engineers, and second it has quite many parts with a negative voltage on the op amp pin4.
I think you can first try the circuit with a PNP BJT first and see how it performs in terms of stability! Otherwise the last option would be to go for the 4rth circuit which looks more convenient and cutomizable.
Hi,
Do I need to install LM317 on a heatsink in this current boosting circuit? I am assuming that all the current will go through the MOSFET therefore LM317 won’t heat up at all or not that much. Am I right or wrong? If heatsink is still needed for LM317, how big should it be?
Hi, it will depend on the Rx value, if it is large enough to allow only a few 100mA through the LM317, then heatsink will not be required
Hi, in reference to schema: “Adjustable Voltage/Current LM317 High Current Regulator”:
Do you consider it as a laboratory power supply? I mean, could you tell me how accurate it can be setting for example voltage/current off load and testing it on load? I consider powering it with transformator 230V->35V with bridge rectifier and capacitors but I am looking for information if it could be better than my old one https://www.homemade-circuits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/bench-power-supply-compressed.jpg . The old one has low current capabilities (max 1A – but i have never got so much from this) and it is vulnerable to noises.
By the way, good job. I really appreciate your work. I couldn’t find anything what would be so useful and versatile as your article.
Hi, yes definitely you can use it as a lab power supply
Hi, In your post a circuit for “High current adjustable regulator circuit ” is published using LM317, TIP73, 2N2905, in the diagram other passive component values are clearly marked except two resistors one variable other fixed. Please do specify .
Also for my use I need to make an Bench Power supply of 0-30v ,0-10A regulated ; Please suggest suitably .
Hi, you can use 2.2k for the right side resistor, and 10k preset or pot for the variable resistor.
for the work bench power supply you can try the following concept:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/lm317-variable-switch-mode-power-supply/
For 10 amps you will have to upgrade the outboard transistor with a TIP36 transistor, and also use an appropriately calculated thicker wire for the shown inductor.
Hi Mr Swagatam;
my input voltage is about either 12 volt dc or 14 volt. I need to boost those to 20-25 or 30 volts dc and max. 5 ampheres. Please advise an circuit I should use. Thanks
Hi Suat, if voltage increases then the current will go down proportionately.
to get 5 amps at 25V, the input 12V should be rated at 10 amps.
Hi Swagatam;
My input voltage is 14 v and amphere is about 20 amphere(from the source amt-s240w-12 model) no problem. I think that is enough to support 5 ampheres at output-Thanks again
Suat, you can try the first circuit from this article:
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/12v-car-laptop-charger-circuit-using/
Swagatam, thanks for this great article
I am struggling to understand Texas Instrument’s original high-current implementation. It works, but there is no current limit in there, am I right? I tried to simulate their circuit but I can’t get wrap my mind around what they are trying to achieve with this. Your implementations seem very logical and clear – unlike that.
Thank you Dare, yes, the second last circuit doesn’t seem to have a current control protection. But the last circuit has it.
Swag, sorry for my lack of understanding. In your 547 based overcurrent and short circuit protection circuit, I see that the transistor emitter is connected to 0v. But the circuit also uses ground. What is the difference. I mean, if I use a Center Tapped 12-0-12 trafo and a bridge rectifier as my input DC Stage, which would give an input voltage of roughly 15 volts or so, where would I get the 0v transformer and where would the ground terminal be… Can you please help…
Prithwiraj, the ground symbol only denotes the common DC negative line and has nothing to do with any external grounding or earthing. You can use your transformer as 0-12V supply, or as 0-24V supply by appropriately configuring the wires with the bridge rectifier, and use the output from the bridge to power the indicated circuit designs.
Prithwiraj Bose, I think he’s adding a low-side shunt between transformer’s 0V and the GND of the rest of the circuit (Power GND). You do not connect 0V from the transformer directly to the ground, but you do it via the shunt, which develops voltage drop as the current through the connected circuit increases. In short – bad idea, if you ask me.
For a center tap full wave rectifier power supply, the center 0V wire can be connected to the point shown as 0V, and the common cathode of the diodes to the point marked +.
However, using a bridge rectifier is the recommended design, since transformer heat dissipation is minimum in a 4 diode bridge topology.
swagatam sir do u have any igbt or mosfet 12v dc to 40vdc 20amp ckt diagrams with help of atx transformer. note my requirment voltage 12v dc to 40v dc 20amp maximum.
hello Shree, you can try the first diagram from this article, but please note that you will have to optimize the coil correctly through trial and error, until you get the specified 48v from…remember, to get 40V 20 amp, your input must be 12 V 66 amp
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/12v-car-laptop-charger-circuit-using/
you will have to replace the 24V zener with a 40 V zener diode
swagatam sir i am requesting u in want dc to dc converter with atx transformer mosfets or igbts ckt diagram for 48vdc e bike. input 12v dc 26amp . and output 48v 26amp required .
Hello Sree, sorry I do not have this boost converter design at this moment with me. However if the voltage is increased the current will go down proportionately, in your case the 48V current will drop to 6.5 amps
Swagatam, I’d like to use the ” BJT for current control” to power a glow plug. Typical glow plugs are 1.5VDC and it takes about 3-4 amps to make them glow. I have a PIC16F628 that generates a PWM signal on an output pin. The max current the PIC can source is 20mA. Will this circuit work with the output of the PIC being at 3.3 or 5V? I want to use the PIC to sense 1000 to 2000 mS pulses from the receiver and turn on or off the PWM signal to the BJT current control input signal.
Thanks
Garry
Gary, for a BJT current controller driver, you can try the circuit which is explained in the following article. The LM317 design cannot be used for your application
https://www.homemade-circuits.com/universal-high-watt-led-current-limiter/
hi sir,
regarding the last circuit using bjt, cant it drive at least 12 amperes?
Hi David, for 12 amps you can replace TIP73 with two TIP142 in parallel and check the response….
hi, I’m a student
I need help to solve this problem
Q1: design 12v current boosted 3 terminal regulator consumes 8mA with current limitation at 3 A.
Q2: design positive adjustable regulator using LM317 500mA to supply load that varies in range (48-96V)
Hi, THe current limit can be achieved by implementing the second last concept, but I am not sure how to get 96V using a LM317
ok.thank you so much
hi brother,
i have doubt how negative volt will produce across to bias pnp transitor…..please explain…….
Hi, the (-) voltage is developed across Rx, due to the load connected at the output.
Good day sir, Swag, please i need a fixed voltage regulator to handle the ffg specs:
Input voltage-36v, output 5v
Output current 10amps.
I was thinking of using the 317 outboard circuit but it may vary the output voltage depending on input voltage. It will not produce fixed output voltage
Thanks
Adeyemi, LM317 will not vary the output even if the input is changed, but it must not exceed 36V. However at 5V the IC may get very hot…
Thanks Swag for your help, please the charging for phone is slow, can I also add the npn transistor in parallel.
Hi Adeyemi, please try the last circuit and see whether it speeds up the charging or not.
That’s what I used, is getting hot on heatsink can I add more npn transistors
Yes you can more NPN in parallel or you can use a Darlington instead
Please how do I do darlington with this circuit
You can use a ready made Darlington TIP122 on heatsink, it will allow 3 to 4 amp current max.
Thanks for your help, please in the last circuit where will I place tip122 and which one should remove.
TIP122 is NPN so it will be replace TIP73 in the last circuit
Hi Swagatam i’m right now doing a schema for a 900 mA current limiter whith a LM 317 but it’s not working. so can you please help with a schema for a 18V voltage 900 mA curent limiter? thanks
Esaie, please try the following circuit:
Use Rc = 0.7 / 0.9 = 0.77 Ohms 1 watt
R1 = 120 ohms,
Pot = 10K pot, linear
Hi Swagatam:
I was able to follow everything you did up until the circuit shown in 8.3.12. I understand what you di with resistor Rx in the earlier circuits but now there’s an additional resistor on the base of the 2N2905 and a 500 ohm resistor between the base and emitter of the TIP73. COuld you take a minute to explain their function and how their values are determined?
Thanks for a super site!
EBS
Hi Everett, the diagram is per the datasheet of the IC. The concept is similar to the one which is explained at the top, except the the extra NPN which reinforces the PNP to generate more current and an evenly distributed heat dissipation. They both complement each other to produce more current and less heat, that’s all, no other special feature is available from the last configuration
Hi swagatam first congratulation for your hard work .
i’m a hobbyist and i want to ask stupid question 🙂 with your design can i upgrade currant i mean from transformer 4 ampere can i have approximately 20 ampere ?
If not you have project or solution for simple project to have big currant low voltage ? 20amp transformer is so big not practical for the project i want to make thank good jobs br!
Thank you Issam, voltage and current can be changed using a transformer but the wattage will always remain the same. For example if you have a 4 amp 25 V supply, it can be changed into 5 V 20 amp. If you multiply the two V x I you get 100 watts on both sides, so it works in this way.
Hi Swag
Can I replace N-channel instead P-Ch,, and how ? Please
Hi Shaker, N channel won’t work, i am sorry.
Can I put several Mosfet irf9540 transistors in parallel?
Yes that’s possible…
Changes in the scheme are needed?
No changes are required for parallel mosfets, but please confirm with a single mosfet first, and only then proceed with more numbers.
Hello sir, i two questions to ask pls:
1. can i use TIP127? If yes how can i connect the pins to the circiut?
2. While the transistor increases the current, is the output current of the circuit equal the transistor’s current or it will be plus the ICs current? Thanks
1) You can use TIP127, pin connections will be similar to what is shown in the diagram.take the help of the datasheet of the transistor
2) The output current will be equal to the sum of both IC and the transistor
Hi Swagatam,
I would like to confirm with you the calculation of Rx & Ry.
I require 3A max ( even though the TIP34C are rated at 10A) from the power supply. I use a BJT (TIP34C) instead of a Mosfet in my circuit.
Therefore to calculate Rx & Ry I used the following calculations:
Rx = TIC34C Trig. V/LM317V Optimal Current
Rx = 0.7V/1A=0.7R
W = 0.7V x 1A=0.7W
Ry = Trig. V BC547+LED Forw. V/Current Limit TIP34C
Ry = 0.6V + 3.6V/3A = 1.40R
W = 4.2Vx3A = 12.6W
Are my calculations correct to achieve 3A output.
Your help will be much appreciated
Kind regards
Jan
Hi Jan, referring to the last diagram all your calculations look OK to me, the LED is supposed to be in series with the base resistor of BC547 which is shown as 47 ohm
Hi Swagatam,
In the following post you said the LED must be in series with the emitter of the BC547. Now you say it must be in series with the base resistor? How do I calculate Ry then?
Regards
Jan
Reply
Swagatam says
March 19, 2017 at 7:20 am
connecting it in series with the emitter will be a better idea and a resistor can be avoided.
but in that case make sure the Ry formula is modified in the following way:
Ry = 0.6 + LED fwd Voltage / current limit value
Hi Jan,
connect it with base, because connecting it with emitter will keep the ADJ pin always at 3.3V higher than ground, and never allow 0V at the output.
the calculation will be the same whether the LED is in emiter or base.
Thank you for your assistance. I really enjoy your site.
Regards
Jan
It’s my pleasure Jan!!
Hello, Mr. Swagatam.
Can I change the LM317 30v IC to the 60v LM317HVT to have a higher Vout and maintain the IRF9045?
Would something like Vout = 0 – 60v and Iout = 10 amp = +/- 600W!?
Thank you
Amadeu Mendes
Hi Amadeu, yes you can implement that, you will be able to get the mentioned amount of power at the output
Thank you.
You are the best…
Amdeu Mendes
you are most welcome Amadeu.
Hi swagatam, i wanna try this circuit, and i want to ask if is too complicated if i want to make it with adjustable current about 3amp.
i alway like your design
Thanks Fajar, It could be achieved by modifying the Rx stage of the last diagram as per the instructions provided in the following article:
https://homemade-circuits.com/?s=current+resistor
hi Swagatam i really like your blog and the way u answer the questions . Thank you very much i will try this circuit
Thanks Bingo! Wish you all the best
Hi! Thank you for this helpful article!
I wonder how much power is dissipated by the MOSFET. I think it is U * I where U is the input voltage minus the output voltage and I the current going through the transistor. Do you confirm ?
yes that's correct.
Thanks for providing such a clear and simple explanation of how the outboard transistor works with the lm317. I couldn't get my head round how the external transistor was able to provide the correct voltage alongside the lm317 now that I know, it seems so simple, thanks.
Thank for visiting my site, I am glad the above post could help you to solve your curiosity. Please keep posting
Hi Swag,
I used this circuit, because i tried to reach 5Amps max. Ry=0.14 Ohm.
But whenever i short circuit the output, the current goes 8-10Amps and the cut-off is not working.
I did a modification, connecting the Pot (10K) between collector and emitter on BC547 but still the same result. As i observed, whenever i do short circuit i don't have 0.7V on the base of BC547, but 0.55V. And on the collector voltage varies 1.6-2.5 depending of the position of the potentiometer.
Hi Nikola, you can try the second circuit and dimension Ry with some trial and error until the current is restricted at 6amps max.
Yes the the third design might require some improvement, because the BC547 set-up might not be able stop the mosfet from conducting completely.
0.55V is sometimes enough to enable a BC547 to conduct…
No the shown configuration in the last diagram is correct…the actual ground is supposed to be connected to Ry and the emitter of BC547 because the return path of the current must pass through Ry before reaching the transformer ground.
Hi, sorry I could not quite get your point, can you elaborate differently?
sir i am feeding the input pin of lm317 with 48V dc.. i need an output voltage of fixed 12V and 10A.. what modification i have to do ?
Moreover i dont have 0.07 ohm resistors with me.. the only resistors i am having are 3 no.s of 0.1 ohm 10 W resistors.. so please suggest a suitable circuit
RT, You can try the last circuit and calculate Ry as per the formula.
you can use many 0.1 in parallel which may yield 0.07 value approximately.
No other modification would be required according to me.
Hi sir,
i just want to ask ,
if what is the possible connection.
to achieve 13.4V with 800mA current limit,
thanks
Hi Em,
It is possible, but the following design will be more suitable:
https://homemade-circuits.com/2012/02/how-to-make-current-controlled-12-volt.html
Hi Swa,
how are you ?
If i want to put an LED as short circuit indicator in series with the BC 547 collector, do we need to put a resistor in series to the LED? If so, how big is the value of the resistor?
Thanks
Kanta
Hi Kanta,
No it won't be required according to me.
Hi sir, can i used a LM2940CT 12 Volt 1 Amp Low Dropout Regulator instead of LM317? thanks sir
Hi Em, yes it will do!
could you use a poly fuse for short circuit protection
it's not required
The last circuit design link seems to be broken, so I cannot see the circuit please upload a new one..And I think heatsink would be required to LM317 as well.
It is perfectly opening and visible to me here, just click on the diagram to enlarge it.
sir what is the maximum current which can flow through this circuit.
It'll be as per your desired specs and requirement…
Is this circuit tested and confirmed
yes…
Hi Swagatham
An LED or a Piezo buzer with internel ocilator can be added to indicate the short circuit condition. Where can I connect it in the last diagram.
Can I use an N-channel mosfet instead of P-channel after some modifications in the circuit….? If yes, how.
Hi Anil, using an NPN transistor will make the design very complex, so PNP is the only easier option…connecting a buzzer will be difficult because there's no appropriate space for it in the above design, however you can use a red LED in series with the BC547 collector for a short circuit indication.
resistor for the led on the collector of bc547 can alter the design? what is the voltage on the collector of 547 transistor and how can I calculate the resistor for the led?
connecting it in series with the emitter will be a better idea and a resistor can be avoided.
but in that case make sure the Ry formula is modified in the following way:
Ry = 0.6 + LED fwd Voltage / current limit value
Hi Swagatam
Many thanks for this circuit. This circuit will be very useful for every electronic technicians, especially for beginers.
Hi Anil, It's my pleasure and thank you for suggesting me to post this important circuit concept.
Thanks for this. Note thought that near the begging you write "Rx = 10/1mA" but your description says 1A, not 1mA.
OK thanks, that looks like a typo, I'll correct it soon…