20 Amp Variable Power Supply using LM317

This 20 Amp Variable Power Supply varies its output voltage from 1.5 to 15 volts and is based
on the well-known variable voltage source configuration, where only the LM317 voltage regulator
is used. See red box on the diagram.
The output voltage of this basic regulator is adjusted with the potentiometer connected to the
regulator pin 3 (adj). On this power voltage source, the level of the output voltage is regulated in
the same way.

The basic regulator has a maximum current capacity of 1.5 amps. (acceptable for most cases). To
amplify the current capacity of this regulator we place four power NPN power transistors as shown
on the diagram.

How the 20 Amp Variable Power Supply works?

The output of the LM317 voltage regulator (pin 2) is connected to the 4 power transistors bases.
These transistors are connected in parallel. The output voltage of the 20 Amp Variable Power
Supply is obtained from the junction of the 4 resistors (R2, R3, R4, R5), connected to the
emitters of the 4 transistors.
The emitter voltage of each transistor is: Ve = Vb – 0.7 V (approximately), where:

 Ve = Emitter voltage
 Vb = Base voltage
The transistor base-emitter voltage drop is between 0.6 to 0.7 volts.

Resistors in series with each emitter are placed in order to compensate for voltage differences
that may exist among the 4 emitter voltages.

List of circuit components

 1  110/220 VAC to 18 VAC transformer, 15 Amps. (T)
 1  30 amp. / 300 volts diode bridge. (DB)
 4  4200 uF (microfarads) / 40V electrolytic capacitors (C1, C2, C3. C4).
 1  10 uF / 40V electrolytic capacitor (C5)
 1  LM317 voltage regulator. (U)
 4  2N3055 NPN power transistors (T1, T2, T3, T4)
 1  270 ohms, 1/2 watt resistor (R1)
 4  0.47 ohms / 10 watts resistors (R2, R3, R4, R5).
 1  100k potentiometer (P)
 4 heatsinks (1 heatsink for each transistor) or a large heatsink for all transistors