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CIRCUIT IDEAS

STABILISED POWER SUPPLY WITH S.C.


DWI
VED
I

SHORT-CIRCUIT INDICATION
D. MOHAN KUMAR 18V, 500mA step-down transformer to gen- negative terminal is also at full supply volt-
erate 18V AC. A rectifier diode compris- age (selected). If there is a short circuit at

H
ere is an efficient 4-stage stabilised ing diodes D1 and D2 provides 18V DC, the output, LED2 glows to activate the
power supply unit for testing elec- which is smoothed by capacitor C1 and piezobuzzer.
tronic circuits. It provides well given to the combination of regulator ICs A fuse-failure indicator distinguishes
regulated and stabilised output, which is (IC1 through IC4). The regulator ICs pro- short circuit at the output and input fail-

essential for most electronic circuits to give duce fixed, regulated outputs of 12V, 9V, ure. It consists of a bicolour LED (LED1)
proper results. The circuit provides an au- 6V and 5V, respectively, which are con- and resistors R1 and R2. When power is
dio-visual indication if there is a short cir- nected to the rotary switch contacts. This available and the fuse is intact, red and
cuit in the PCB under test, so the power power supply is useful for loads requiring green halves of LED1 are effectively in
supply to the circuit ‘under test’ can be up to 200mA current. parallel to output a yellowish light. When
cut-off immediately to save the valuable Complementary transistors T1 and T2 fuse fails, green LED goes off and red LED
components from damage. conduct when the power to the circuit is lights up to indicate fuse breakdown.
The circuit provides four different regu- switched on. Full selected supply voltage The circuit can be easily constructed
lated outputs (12V, 9V, 6V and 5V) and is available at the collector of transistor on a general-purpose PCB. Use small heat-
an unregulated 18V output, which are se- T2, which is used to power the load. LED3 sinks for all ICs to dissipate heat. The out-
lectable through rotary switch S2. The se- indicates the presence of output voltage. put voltage can be read on a voltmeter.
lected output is indicated on the analogue The negative terminal of piezobuzzer PZ1 Enclose the circuit in a metal box with
voltmeter connected to the outputs rails. is connected to the output rail via LED2, provisions for voltmeter, LEDs, rotary
The circuit uses a standard 18V-0- so the piezobuzzer remains silent as its switch, etc.

ELECTRONICS FOR YOU JULY 2004

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