In this project, we are going to build a variable power supply for medium applications using 555 Timer IC. This variable power supply circuit can provide up to 300mA current and is variable between 6 volts to 13 volts. This project is very cheaper and easy to design. The 555 Timer from a monostable multivibrator with a time period of 0.2ms and Zener diode forms reference voltage and potentiometer control the output.
Must Read Top 555 Timer IC Projects
Circuit Diagram
Components Required
- NE555 Timer IC
- BC148 Transistor (x3)
- BC558 Transistor
- SK100 Transistor
- 12.6V Zener Diode
- IN4007 Diode (x4)
- 1000uF/50V Capacitor (x2)
- 0.0022uF Capacitor
- 0.1uF Capacitor
- 1Ω 1W Resistor
- 1KΩ Resistor (x2)
- 10KΩ Preset
- 470Ω Resistor (x2)
- 100KΩ Resistor (x2)
- 82KΩ Resistor
- 230V-18V Transformer
- Vero Board
PCB Design
PCB View
Order PCB From PCBWay
There are so many forums or communities for electronics online in today’s technical world, and one of the famous ones for PCB manufacturing is PCBWay. PCBWay is a place that brings manufacturers and customers together. They have more than a decade of experience in this field of fabrication, prototyping and assembling PCBs. PCBWay has proved its focus on its customers’ needs in terms of cost-effectiveness, delivery, and quality.
How PCB Manufacturing Process Done in PCBWay
Standard quality for any product needs to be maintained using some parameters. PCBWay gives that opportunity through quality control in designing and manufacturing. At first, they ensure the accuracy, clarity, and validity of the PCB files that we sent to them.
Then all the boards will go through the most stringent tests other than the basic visual check. They adopt most of the testing and inspecting equipment used in the industry, such as Flying Probe Tester, X-Ray Inspection Machine, and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) Machine. PCBWay are having 50+ new engineers on the daily basis around the world using PCBs for their work, who trust for their reliable quality. They produce high-quality pink, orange, grey, and even transparent solder mask. Moreover, according to people’s needs, they can also provide Black core PCB. Check it out for a High-Quality PCB solder mask. There are some pictures below of the new colours of solder musks.
Features of PCBWay
PCB Prototyping & Manufacturing: PCBWay produces FR-4 and Aluminum boards and advanced PCBs like Rogers, HDI, and Flexible and Rigid-Flex boards, at a very reasonable price. Just check this Instant Quote to order premium PCBs for your hobby projects.
PCB Assembly: It not only offers PCB Prototyping but also offers PCB Assembly service. You can order a full PCB board with attached components by uploading your file. SMT & THT assembly starts from only 30$ including free stencil and worldwide shipping. The components can be sourced and provided by PCBWay, or by the clients themselves.
Open Source Community: It not only offers PCB Prototype & Assembly services but also gives opportunities to students for sponsorships. I think this is so great. They feature their projects on the website also.
3D Printing & CNC: It also produces Rapid Prototyping like 3D printing, CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Fabrication, and Injection Molding. The quality of the product is too premium and reliable. And also the best part is that you will receive your order within a minimum of 3 days.
PCBWay Store: More boutique gift modules are waiting for you to discover, giving your creativity wings. You can order all types of electronic equipment, components and many more with exciting offers. Go with the link and buy your needs, PCBWay Store.
Services: PCBWay offers great servicing of their products. It takes only 3 to 15 days according to courier service to deliver your products. Also, it has a live support facility. Whenever you have any problems, you can always reach a live customer service person to respond to your emails or messages. They have the “Return and Refund” principle, for every unusable board caused by PCBWay, they will rebuild and refund the order soon.
Guide for Ordering PCB from PCBWay
Working Principle of Variable Power Supply
The working principle of variable power supply is very simple. Only five transistors and a 555 Timer IC is used as main components.
The T1 or BC148 forms an emitter follower, where the emitter voltage is equal to the voltage at the varying point of 10KΩ Pot or VR1. T2 or second BC148 is used to sense the output voltage. By this time T3 or BC558 triggers the 555 Timer in accordance with the output level.
When the whole circuit is switched on, the voltage at T1 is equal to the voltage at the centre point of VR1. Therefore, the emitter of T2 is at 5 volts and the base is at zero. As it is in the off state, no voltage is passed across R4 and T3. So this also remains off state.
Pin 2 of the 555 Timer IC is grounded through a 100KΩ resistor. The output of the IC is triggered to VCC. This switches the T5 or third BC148 so that it goes into a saturation state. At this time C1 or 1000uF/50V capacitor gets charged by the voltage across it reaches 5.6V.
Now T2 turns on and develops a voltage across 100KΩ. This turns on T3 and voltage at pin 2 becomes more than VCC/2. So, the output of the IC goes low after the time period of 0.2ms. The capacitor C3 discharges through the load.
When the output voltage decreases from 5.6V, T2 goes off. This process produces a negative trigger to pin 2 of the 555 Timer. The output of it turns on T4 or SK100 transistor. The whole process is repeated continuously. We use T4 in a saturation state so the power loss becomes almost zero.
There is a chance that the capacitor gets charged due to leakage current, increasing the output voltage on the load. We use a 1KΩ resistor to avoid this. You can increase the load current capacity by adding one more SK100 transistor in parallel.