Motivation

Low ripple PSU with LM317

This PSU is build around the well known LM317 and follows mostly a straight forward design as in the data sheet. To mention is an additional filter before the LM317 to lower the ripple. With this filter the ripple is down in the noise floor. I have tested this design with a current load of 1.2A for some hours. No problems whatsoever. Because the heat sink is not that big I recommend keeping the load below 1A. It is getting quite hot though. For a +/- PSU you need two of those. You can daisy chain them and use the connection as ground


Specs and features


Implementation

Schematic

Low ripple PSU with LM317 schematic

Low ripple PSU with LM317. Schematic


Description:

This design is straight forward like in the data sheet of the LM317. The led indicates the presence of the unregulated voltage before the LM317. R2, R5 and C5 builds a RC input filter between the reservoir capacitor and the regulator. The resistors should kept low and the capacitance high. The filter sinks the ripple below the noise level of the regulator. You have some loss of efficiency due to the voltage drop across the series resistor. All protection features of the LM317 regulator are preserved.


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Calibration

  • Adjust the output with TR2 to 15V

Special parts

  • R2 and R5 should be 2W types


Low ripple PSU with LM317

Low ripple PSU with LM317. Populated PCB Side view


Low ripple PSU with LM317

Low ripple PSU with LM317. Populated PCB Top view


Low ripple PSU with LM317

Low ripple PSU with LM317. Populated PCB Front view

2015 October

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