One of the users preferred the linear voltage regulator IC is easy to use and cheap. It is not denied that in practice only by connecting a DC input voltage and provides some additional components to the IC pin, you are ready to operate a specific application. However this only applies to fixed positive and negative voltage with maximum load current 1A. (See the 7805 voltage regulator)
There are some factors in an effort known as easy to choose a DC voltage regulator IC. It concerns the flexibility to determine the suitability of voltage and current to the load current. Simply put the IC regulator selected should operate the application you want.
Types of Linear Voltage Regulator IC
Basically there are several types of linear voltage regulator that can be used very well and each type has its own characteristics. The selection of each type depends on the needs of the design with the performance and cost considerations. Type of the voltage regulators are as follows:
- Positive Output Regulator, providing a fixed regulated output voltage positive.
- Negative Output Regulator, providing a fixed regulated output voltage negative.
- Fixed Output Regulator, providing fixed regulated output voltages for both types of regulators.
- Adjustable Regulator, providing a regulated output voltage as needed.
On the positive and negative voltage regulator circuit which is used in accordance with the polarity of each type. Positive type is set positive voltage, and reverse negative type is negative voltage. The difference between the two types lies in the input voltage pin configuration. The difference in the two types of input pin regulator can be seen in the picture. By adjusting the grounding system will be obtained an opposite voltage.
The configuration above is easy and cheap to do, but it is limited to fixed output voltage and load current up to 1A. However, the products from several other manufacturers have allowed the available capabilities to over 1A load current.
In the above explanation, the three-terminal fixed regulator is the same type of adjustable voltage regulator. The advantages of this type on the flexibility of the output voltage can be adjusted to the needs of the design. The output voltage can be easily adjusted or adjusted by adding two external resistors as a voltage divider. The output voltage can be adjusted from 1.2V up to 40V maximum voltage available. The ability of this type of regulator load current is available up to 3A.
How to Choose Voltage Regulator IC
If a DC voltage regulator type has been determined, then choose the specific device. To provide a higher current than is available from monolithic technologies, in fact regulator IC is more often used as a driver for amplifying the transistor. It will be overlap and complicate the selection and design tasks. So there is no definite steps were ideal to choose a particular type of regulator in certain applications that could be the best solution. Levels of complexity, performance and cost and size will be the things that should be considered together.
So it is better to choose the regulator that meets the requirements for line and load regulation, output voltage and temperature operating ranges. So there is no concern with the ability of a voltage regulator IC in terms of output voltage, operating temperature and output load current. Here for how to test a voltage regulator.
