This Power supply circuit is powered by 12 volt AC power supply rectifier diodes form VD1 … VD4,

included in a bridge circuit and the rectified voltage stabilizer – capacitors CI, C2, zener VD5 and
transistors VT1 and VT2. Voltage power supply output from 0 to 12 regulate the variable resistor R2. The
highest current given up power supply to the load (300 mA) is limited to permissible direct current
rectifier diodes.

In the rectifier diodes can be used D226 or D7 with any letter index. Variable resistor R2 – with a power
switch, it is desirable to group A, to its scale, on which set the output voltage of the power supply was
equal numbered. In the stabilizer instead of transistor MP39 MP40 transistors can be used … MP42, and
instead of P213 – P214 … P217 transistors, P201, P4 with any letter indices. The gain of transistors must
be at least 15. Zener diode D813 can be replaced by zener diodes D811, D814D D814G or. The maximum
stress on the power supply output voltage will correspond to the stabilization is used to block the zener.
Scale of the resistor R2 should calibrate for exemplary voltmeter connected to the output terminals of
the block.

Parts list :

R1,R2,R3 : 1K

C1,C2 : 500uF/25V

D1 : D813

Q1 : MP39

Q2 : P213

VR1 : 10K Read more at http://powersupply33.com/variable-power-supply-0-to-12-v.html

How to Build a Versatile 0 to 12 Volt Adjustable DC Power Supply Unit
Building the proposed circuit of 0 to 12 volt adjustable DC power supply is so simple that it may be even
assembled even by a any electronic noob within half an hour. Moreover, the maximum output voltage
may not be restricted to just 12 volts, rather can be extended up to 32 volts (continuously variable) by
just modifying the transformer ratings appropriately. The whole operation becomes amazingly simple
just due to the presence of this outstanding IC – LM 338.

The chip is simplicity by itself. It has just three leads, so confusion is reduced emphatically. Everything is
built-in- just attach a couple of passive components to its pin-outs and you start producing the desired
output voltages right away from it.

Before moving into the actual circuit description let’s first discuss a few of its design characteristics:

7 Amperes instantaneous peak current handling capacity

5 Amperes of regular and continuous current delivering capacity

Output adjustable from as low as 1.2 volts up to 32 volts DC

Excellent line and load regulation, typically 0.005%/volt and 0.1% respectively

Built-in safe area protections from short circuits, overloads etc.

Output current not affected by the chip’s varying case temperature

Circuit Description

0 to 12 Volt Adjustable DC Power Supply Circuit Diagram, Image.

Referring to the figure we find the construction to be pretty straight forward. Let’s analyze the function
and the importance of the various components involved around the IC LM 338 through the following
discussion:

Step down transformer TR1 brings down the AC mains to the required level, the bridge diode circuit
rectifies it, and capacitor C1 does the necessary filtering. The clean DC thus obtained is fed to the IC 338
configuration for further processing.

Capacitor C3, which is preferably a tantalum capacitor, acts an effective by pass for the unwanted
residual AC signals,

C2 is included to enhance ripple rejections. It eliminates all possibility of any ripple amplification at the
output when voltage is increased through effective by-passing of the small ADJ terminal ripple content.
As above a solid tantalum capacitor is more suitable here due to its low impedance characteristics even
at relatively higher frequencies.

Resistor R1, which is the current defining component, should be connected as close as possible to the
IC’s lead terminals. Although the IC is equipped with an excellent load regulation feature, connecting R1
close to its leads terminates line potential drops improving load regulation efficiency.

The diodes D5 and D6 also perform important functions. In case the output capacitor C3 is accidentally
short circuited by the connected load, it may inflict a high reverse current surge to the internal circuitry
of the IC. D5 efficiently diverts the surge and helps avoid possible damage to the IC from the spikes
generated by the discharging capacitors. D6 is kept to tackle discharge surges from capacitor C2.

The voltage is varied through a combination of two potentiometers VR1 and VR2. The inclusion of two
potentiometers may look a bit unusual, however using two controls enables acquiring wide output
voltage ranges and discrete calibration settings of the unit, thus making it more efficient and versatile.
Parts List
You will require the following parts to build the proposed circuit of the 0 to 12 volt adjustable power
supply unit:

All resistors are 1/4 watt, CFR, 5% unless otherwise stated.

R1 = 120E

VR1 = 10K

VR2 = 4K7

C1 = 2200uF/50V

C2 = 1uF/50V, TANT.

C3 = 10uF/50V, TANT.

D1——D6 = 6AMP, 300V

IC1 = LM 338, TO-3

TR1 = 25-0-25V, 5 AMP. CENTER TAP NOT USED

HEATSINK = “C" CHANNEL, TO-3

M1 = VOLTMETER, 0-50 VOLTS