Dual Voltage Power Supply

Some modern Microcontrollers and various other integrated circuits are now designed to work on 3.3
volts. While there are still quite a few devices that need a 5 volt supply. Recognizing the fact that there
is often a need for both 3.3 and 5 volt supplies on the same experimenters solderless breadboard,
uController.com has come up with a dual voltage power supply module.

Most Solderless Breadboards have a power rail strip down each side of the main board. Since each are
not connected, a different voltage can be used on each strip. Note – this power supply is designed to
use with a solderlesss breadboard that has a 2 row power strip on each side of the main prototyping
area. Most breadboards for sale today are this type. See the photo below to see this power supply
plugged in as designed.
 Assembly
Refer to the following placement diagram and Parts List during assembly
Orange A– Power indicator LED
Orange B– Diode
Red A– 5V regulator
Red B– 3.3V regulator
Blue A– 10 uF electrolytic capacitor
Blue B– 1000 uF electrolytic capacitor
Yellow A- 220 ohm resistor
Purple A – Power Switch
Green A – DC Power Jack 2.1mm center positive
Green B – 2 pin male header – 5 volt
Green C – 2 pin male header – 3.3 volt

Step 1 – insert 220 ohm resistor from the top of the PCB, solder in place and trim excess leads.
Step 2 – insert diode from the top of the PCB, with white stripe to the left when the board is held like
the picture above. The stripe placement is also visible on the circuit boards silkscreen. Solder in place
and trim excess leads.
Step 3- insert Power LED with negative lead (shorter of the 2 leads) to the right when the PCB is held
as showm in the above diagram. Solder in place and trim excess leads.
Step 4 – insert the 2 – 10uF electrolytic capacitors. The black stripe on the capacitor on the 5 volt side
of the board should be on the right side of the capacitor body. The black stripe on the 3.3 volt side of
the board should be on the left side of the capacitor body. The black stripe indicates the negative “-”
side of the capacitor. The polarity is also indicated on the PCB's silkscreen. Solder in place and trim
excess leads.
Step 5 – insert the 1000 uF electrolytic capacitor into the circuit board with the black stripe to the right
when the PCB is held like the picture above. Solder in place and trim excess leads.
Step 6 – insert the DC power jack – Apply ample solder to each of the 3 terminals. The solder not only
provides an electrical connection, but also physically holds the jack to the board. This will be subject to
much stress over it's life, so don't skimp on the solder!
Step 7 – insert the power switch and solder in place.
Step 8 – insert the 2 power regulators. The 5 volt regulator (L7805CV) next to the 5V mark on the PCB
and the 3.3 volt regulator (LF33ABV)next to the 3.3V mark on the PCB. See the color picture on the
first page of this document for help with proper positioning. If you will be attaching heatsinks to the
regulators allow enough room between the regulator body and the PCB to allow for heatsink
attachment. Heatsinks are not included in this kit, but may be necessary if your circuits require close to
the maximum current output of the regulators.
Step 9 – insert the 2 pin headers into the solderless breadboard. Set your power supply circuit board
over the protruding pins, inserting the pins through the holes in the positions marked by the Green B
and one of the Green Cs in the diagram above. Solder pins in place on the top of the circuit board. The
2 positions for the 3.3V header are to allow for minor variations in breadboard width, use whichever
holes line up best for you.
All done!
 Schematic

Specifications
Minimum input voltage – 7 VDC (7-9 volt ideal)
Maximum input voltage - *
Maximum output current – 1 amp combined **
Stage 1 voltage output – min 4.8V - max 5.2V
Stage 2 voltage output – min 3.23V – 3.36V
Input connector – 2.1mm ID female barrel connector (center positive)

* Voltage regulator manufacturer specifies maximum input voltage of 35V. But in practice, voltage
drop through regulator should be kept as low as possible to prevent excess heat production and possible
thermal shutdown.

** Stage 2 (3.3V) is fed from the output of the stage 1 regulator to minimize voltage drop through this
regulator and thus excessive heat dissipation. The 3.3V regulator can provide 500 mA current while the
5V regulator will provide 1 amp. The maximum combined current output shall be 1 amp, assuming the
addition of proper heatsinks(not included in kit) and adequate supply current.