Power Electronics Lab 2: Transistor Series Regulator

You have been asked to design a series regulator (Figure 1) with the following specification:

• Input voltage: between 10 and 15V

• Output voltage: nominally 6.2V
• Load current: nominally 10mA

The set-up you will need is shown in (Figure 1). The load is the same that you used in lab 1.

A range of resistors, are in the racks on the wall: once again PLEASE ENSURE YOU
RETURN COMPONENTS TO THE CORRECT RACK DRAWER WHEN DONE.

As usual, ensure all experimental notes are written up in your logbooks: you will need the
information to help you in your preparation for your submission of the first coursework
component.

(i) Select the components for a two-transistor regulator to meet the above specification
(except R4 which should be 270Ω). Record the values you use in your logbooks.
For the transistors, use BC182L for Q2 and TIP122 for Q1. Remember TIP122 is a
Darlington, so allow 1.2V base-emitter voltage when selecting components.

(ii) Assemble the regulator on Vero board, remembering good experimental technique
from last week. Transistor pinouts can be found in data sheets; be VERY sure you get
them the right way round. BEFORE APPLYING ANY POWER quickly have your
circuit checked!

Set the variable load (10k should suffice) to its highest value, then:

(iii) With the power supply set to the bottom of the specified range of input voltages, plot
regulator load voltage to a base of load current in your logbooks (you can use a
spreadsheet program to do the plotting if you prefer - there are computers in the lab -
but remember that all curves should be smooth). The load current should be increased
by reducing the load resistance via the variable load. NOTE: You will not be able to
go down to a zero volt output: the resistor R will deliberately limit the load current to
no more than twice the specified nominal value of 10mA.

Compare this plot to the same plot you obtained last week for the shunt regulator with
a 10V input:

(a) How do they differ?

(b) Measure the efficiency of the regulator at 10mA load current. You will need to
measure the input current as well: you may need another meter. What
efficiency figure do you get? How does this compare with the shunt regulator
efficiency of last week?

(c) Which circuit do you think is the better regulator?

P.T.O.

Page 1 of 2
Power Electronics Lab 2: Transistor Series Regulator

Figure 1: Series regulator

Page 2 of 2