Introduction
To learn electronic devices and circuits, a power supply is generally acknowledged as the primary electronic circuit. We have seen that several junior students of electronic engineering begin their circuit designing career by first making this simple circuit. Primarily, the power supply is the circuit that transforms the Alternating current power into direct current power. The circuit includes the voltage regulator IC and the bridge rectifier circuit. Therefore, to understand the whole circuitry of regulated power supply, in this tutorial, we are making “AC to DC 12V Regulated Power supply”. The circuit uses the 7812 voltage regulator IC.
Features of 7812 IC
- The IC can provide current up to 1.5 A with the heat sink
- The IC includes an internal current limiting feature.
- Moreover, it also has an overheat shutdown feature.
- It only has three pins, hence requiring very few external components.
Hardware Required
| S.no | Component | Value | Qty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Diode | 1N4001 | 4 |
| 2. | Voltage Regulator IC | LM7812 | 1 |
| 3. | Capacitor | 100uF, 0.1uF | 1, 1 |
| 4. | Transformer | 18v AC | 1 |
Circuit Diagram
Working Explanation
In this AC to DC 12V Regulated Power supply, there is the first stage of the transformer where it steps down the voltage to 18V. After that, there is a rectifier circuit that is made from 1N4001 diodes. It converts both input polarities into pulsating DC. However, it still has ripples in it which get filtered by the capacitor CP1 connected to the circuit. The output is given to the input pin of the voltage regulator IC 7812. The 12V DC output can be observed at the output capacitor connected with the output pin of this regulated IC.
Application and Uses
- Many electronic devices utilize this circuit.
- Most importantly, in Computers.
- Also, in Solar panels.
- Moreover, in television circuits.
- Further, in Printers.
- Furthermore, in electrical vehicles.
- Medical equipment also uses this circuit.
