Single Negative Power Supply, Regulated

§ 2.6 - Single Negative Power Supply, Regulated

Before you attempt this build, please:

Read through the numbered build procedure with the idea of performing the listed steps in order
Examine the PCB layout
Examine the schematic diagram
Refer to each of the linked pages in the "See also" list

This will help ensure that you will have the best possible experience, resulting in a build that works the way you expect it to.

Schottky diodes are recommended; these diodes have a much lower forward voltage drop, and so will waste less power and run cooler under load.

Optional: Install test points — Important: If these are used, they must be first components installed!
D1 — at least a PIV equal to the total secondary voltage of T1, 2 amps or more. Observe polarity.
D3 — at least a PIV equal to the total secondary voltage of T1, 2 amps or more. Observe polarity.
D6 — steering diode — at least a PIV equal to the total secondary voltage of T1, 2 amps or more. Observe polarity.
R2 — calculate the ohms and watts values for R2 here.
C2 — ceramic .22 uF — equal to or higher than the total secondary voltage voltage of T1
C4 — ceramic .1 uF — equal to or higher than the total secondary voltage voltage of T1
C6 — Polarized electrolytic — Calculate the uF and WV value of C6 here. Observe polarity.
IC2 — 79xx-series three-terminal negative voltage regulator. Observe polarity.
Warning: 79xx-series regulator's metal tabs are connected to the input pin. See Heatsink Considerations. Consider off-board mounting.
LED2 — a low-power LED of whatever color you prefer. Observe polarity.
T1 — Center-tapped-winding secondary power transformer (see Choosing a Transformer)

Warning: The metal tab on a 79xx-series regulator is not ground; it is connected to the unregulated supply input pin, and so care must be taken to ensure that under no condition will the tab make electrical contact with ground. This also means that heat sinks should be insulated from 79xx-series regulator tabs.

Warning: If battery backup is used, the battery backup input voltage must be less than the minimum ripple voltage plus the steering diode drop (.65 volts for Si diodes, .25 volts for Schottky diodes) of the loaded power supply. You can use the filter capacitor calculator to ensure that the minimum ripple voltage is above the battery input voltage minus the steering diode drop. If the battery voltage minus the steering diode drop is above the minimum ripple voltage, the battery will discharge continuously until it falls below this level, which will usually mean the battery can no longer function as a backup power source.

Warning: If a voltage regulator will be supplying a load with more than 100 uF of load capacitance, see High Capacitance Regulator Loads.

Note: If you plan to build into a wood enclosure or onto a wood surface, see Mounting to Wood Surfaces before building.

Tip:

Single
connection

The footprints for filter capacitors C5 and C6 are designed to accommodate many different capacitor sizes and lead spacings. Each of the four-hole "diamonds" is one connection; you can use any one of the four diamond through-holes to connect one lead of your capacitor(s.)

Carefully observe polarity as shown in the layout diagram below and connect each lead of your filter capacitors into the correct diamond.

Negative Power Supply, Regulated, Build Guide
All components match PCB silkscreen

- build regulator placement

Output Connection Detail

Minus build schematic

Have a question? Ask us via email

Website Keyboard Navigation

, Previous Page . Next Page
o Ordering g Glossary s Sitemap u Updates

Ordering Site Map Glossary

This web site was created with wtfm wtfm uses aa_macro and SqLite wtfm and aa_macro are coded in python 2.7