How to test a LM317T Voltage Regulator

Thread Starter

Binary Buddha

Joined Sep 24, 2016
40
  • I know nothing about electronics except how to put batteries in. I'm a total noob. Be gentle. I'm here to learn.
  • Why? I heard a rumor about counterfeits and that they should be tested. I just need a simple test to verify it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.
  • I'm armed with Eagle CAD and I don't know how to properly use it.
  • Yes, I've read the datasheets. But, my lack of knowledge and understanding the basics keep me comprehending it. It's like reading Klingon. http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/389/lm217-974117.pdf
So, I'm trying to figure out a simple test to see if the all the regulators I got in are counterfeit or not. Would the below diagram be a suitable test? I'm assuming I set my multimeter to DCV with the red probe on VOUT and the black probe on GND.


Testing-LM317T-01.png
 

crutschow

Joined Mar 14, 2008
34,285
That would tell if it's basically working.
The output should be about 1.25V with 1.25A through the 1Ω load.
You only want to do that test for a second or two without a heatsink since the device will be dissipating about 7.75W.

If you want to test whether the voltage is adjustable you would need to add a pot and resistor to the circuit, along with a higher resistance load resistor.

Note that your 9V source has to supply 1.25A to test the posted circuit.
 

Thread Starter

Binary Buddha

Joined Sep 24, 2016
40
That would tell if it's basically working.
The output should be about 1.25V with 1.25A through the 1Ω load.
You only want to do that test for a second or two without a heatsink since the device will be dissipating about 7.75W.

If you want to test whether the voltage is adjustable you would need to add a pot and resistor to the circuit, along with a higher resistance load resistor.

Note that your 9V source has to supply 1.25A to test the posted circuit.

Thanks for responding!

I couldn't find a 1Ω so I used a 560Ω and got 1.249V. Is that about right? As for the power, it's a 9V battery at 0.83mA... I'm guessing adding a second 9V battery wouldn't work.
 

#12

Joined Nov 30, 2010
18,224
1.249V is within specs.
Your little 9V batteries aren't strong enough to test the limits of a good LM regulator chip.
If you want to push the limits, you will need more than a couple of amps.
What you tested was the reference voltage. There is a lot more to learn about self-limiting current operation, safe area of operation limits, transient response speed, regulation under load, etc.
 

Thread Starter

Binary Buddha

Joined Sep 24, 2016
40
1.249V is within specs.
Your little 9V batteries aren't strong enough to test the limits of a good LM regulator chip.
If you want to push the limits, you will need more than a couple of amps.
What you tested was the reference voltage. There is a lot more to learn about self-limiting current operation, safe area of operation limits, transient response speed, regulation under load, etc.

I know. It's the whole reason I'm here. Would one of those 12V square flashlight batteries do the trick?

Part of the reason I need a working regulator is to build this.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Variable-ATX-bench-powersupply-FabLab-edition/

With that, getting proper amps and voltage for supply won't be much of an issue. ... At least I hope so...
 

#12

Joined Nov 30, 2010
18,224
Would one of those 12V square flashlight batteries do the trick?
Yes. Those massive cubes should be able to throw 10 amps for a little while, and an amp, all day.
Use 120 ohms for R1 to satisfy the minimum load of 10 ma.
Change R2 to fit the 12V requirement. 1033 ohms is the calculated value.
 

Thread Starter

Binary Buddha

Joined Sep 24, 2016
40
Adj pin should not be grounded.
Check the datasheet for proper diagram
Can you clarify? I'm apparently not interpreting the datasheet correctly. Another forum said that VOUT is the regulated voltage. If that's true, then what does ADJ connect to? In this diagram from the datasheet, I thought that thick black line under R2 meant ground.

Screen Shot 2016-09-23 at 23.55.22.png
 

#12

Joined Nov 30, 2010
18,224
The black line under R2 does mean ground, but that doesn't mean attach the adjustment pin to ground. Your drawing in post #9 looks good.
 

Thread Starter

Binary Buddha

Joined Sep 24, 2016
40
Yes. Those massive cubes should be able to throw 10 amps for a little while, and an amp, all day.
Use 120 ohms for R1 to satisfy the minimum load of 10 ma.
Change R2 to fit the 12V requirement. 1033 ohms is the calculated value.
120Ω or 1200Ω? R=V/I = 12/0.01=1200 ... No?

Change R2 to fit the 12V requirement? I'm assuming I use Io(max) on the datasheet, but not sure which number to use where since it's a potentiometer. 1033Ω for R2? I=V/R = 12/1033=~12ma ... kind of confused...
 

Thread Starter

Binary Buddha

Joined Sep 24, 2016
40
The black line under R2 does mean ground, but that doesn't mean attach the adjustment pin to ground. Your drawing in post #9 looks good.

So what does the wiper pin on the POT connect to? POT pin 1 is input from R1... POT pin 3 is GND... POT pin 2????


Testing-LM317T-03.png
 
Last edited:

R!f@@

Joined Apr 2, 2009
9,918
The pot needs to be around 5KΩ
I cannot make out the POT value from the diagram.
And connect pin 1 and pin 2 of pot together .
The POT can be varied to adjust the output to your desired voltage
 

dl324

Joined Mar 30, 2015
16,846
  • I know nothing about electronics except how to put batteries in. I'm a total noob. Be gentle. I'm here to learn.
  • Why? I heard a rumor about counterfeits and that they should be tested. I just need a simple test to verify it's doing what it's supposed to be doing.
It's good that you're aware of the issue with counterfeit parts, but testing is probably beyond the capabilities of most hobbyists.

Basically you'd need to test all of the parameters that the manufacturers check and it's unlikely you'll have the appropriate equipment. In addition to reference accuracy, you'd need to check: max current, thermal protection, load regulation, line regulation, ripple rejection, drift, ....

If you're determined to do this, you'll need to build some test circuits and have an oscilloscope.
 

dl324

Joined Mar 30, 2015
16,846
So what does the wiper pin on the POT connect to? POT pin 1 is input from R1... POT pin 3 is GND... POT pin 2????
As mentioned, connect terminals 1 and 2 together. That will give you increasing voltage with clockwise rotation.

Also, learn style from other (well drawn) schematics you see. Current flow should be primarily from left to right and top to bottom. Wires should be drawn using multiples of 90 degrees; with the exception of wires entering/leaving buses.
 

dl324

Joined Mar 30, 2015
16,846
I use 5K.
I can adjust from 1.25V to 20V with a 24V input.
That's fine, but my point was a 1K will give the OP better resolution because he has a 12V input voltage.

And, since he is learning, he should learn how to select appropriate component values.
 
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