Clearance: We have released newer D24V90F5 5V, 9A step-down voltage regulators, D24V60F5 5V, 6A step-down voltage regulators, and D24V50F5 5V, 5A step-down voltage regulators that we recommend over this product. The newer regulators have better performance and a higher operating voltage range, and they respond better to error conditions (e.g. they will not latch off when exposed to slowly rising power or a short-circuit). This product will be discontinued when the remaining stock is gone; it is not recommended for new designs where continued availability is important.
Overview
These buck (step-down) voltage regulators generate lower, user-selectable output voltages from an input voltage range of 4.5 to 24V. They are switching regulators (also called switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) or DC-to-DC converters) and have a typical (when the output current is several amps) efficiency of approximately 90%, which is much more efficient than linear voltage regulators, especially when the difference between the input and output voltage is large. The output voltage defaults to 5V and can be changed to 3.3V by jumping 3V3 SELECT.
The regulator has under-voltage and short-circuit protection, and thermal shutdown prevents damage from overheating. The board has reverse-voltage protection.
We offer two versions of these higher-current step-down regulators:
Specifications
- input voltage: 4.5V to 24V
- typical continuous output current: 7A (Actual continuous output current depends on thermal dissipation. See Output Current section below for details)
- output voltage selectable as 5V or 3.3V
- 700 kHz switching frequency
- 45mA typical no-load quiescent current (300mu;A typical quiescent current with ENABLE=0V)
- integrated over-temperature and over-current shutoff
- small size: 1.9times;0.6times;0.3 (48times;15times;8mm)
- weight without header pins: 0.2oz (6g)
Using the Regulator
|
Pololu step-down voltage regulator D15V70F5S3 with included hardware. |
---|
Connections
The buck regulator has five connections: 3.3V select (3V3 SELECT), enable (ENABLE), input voltage (VIN), ground (GND), and output voltage (VOUT).
The ENABLE pin can be driven low (under 0.3V) to turn off the output and put the board into a low-power state that typically draws 300mu;A. The board has a 100kOmega; pull-up resistor between ENABLE and VIN. The ENABLE pin can be driven high (above 2V) to enable the board, or it can be connected to VIN or left disconnected if you want to leave the board permanently enabled.
The input voltage, VIN, should be between 4.5 and 24V. You should ensure that noise on your input does not exceed the 24V maximum. When power is applied, the input voltage rise time must not be more than a few milliseconds; otherwise, the regulator can latch in an error state that disables its output.
The output voltage, VOUT, is determined by the 3V3 SELECT jumper state. If the jumper is disconnected, the output voltage is 5V. With the jumper connected, the output voltage is 3.3V. An input voltage lower than the output voltage will not damage the board, but will cause a lower-than-selected output voltage, so we recommend you avoid powering the board with an input voltage below the selected output voltage.
Warning: Do not change the 3V3 SELECT jumper while the regulator is powered. Doing so can cause the regulator to shut off until power is cycled.
The connections are labeled on the back side of the PCB. The eight smaller through-holes for making the power connections are arranged with a 0.1 spacing for compatibility with solderless breadboards, connectors, and other prototyping arrangements that use a 0.1 grid. You can solder wires directly to the board or solder in either the 10#215;1 straight male header strip or the 2 terminal blocks that are included.
Output Current
The regulator#8217;s over-current protection limits the output current of the board to 16A. However, over-temperature protection can kick in at much lower output currents. Therefore, the maximum achievable output current of the board depends on many factors, including the ambient temperature, air flow, heat sinking, and the input voltage. In our tests at room temperature, a continuous output current of 7A was available with input voltages up to 15V; the available continuous output current dropped by approximately 1A per additional 5V rise on the input. These continuous current characteristics are limited by thermal dissipation; the regulator can output higher currents for several seconds or even tens of seconds, depending on how low the current is during the off-peak periods. Higher continuous output current can be achieved by reducing the input voltage or by cooling the board by adding a heat sink or a fan.
During normal operation, this product can get hot enough to burn you. Take care when handling this product or other components connected to it.
Typical Efficiency
The efficiency of a voltage regulator, defined as (Powerout)/(Powerin), is an important measure of its performance, especially when battery life or heat are concerns. As shown in the graphs below, this switching regulator typically has an efficiency of 85 to 95%. For example, when regulating 12V to 5V with an output current of 1.8A, the efficiency is above 90%. Since the output power is (Outputcurrent)times;(Vout) = 1.8Atimes;5V = 9W, the input power will be a bit under 10W, with a bit under 1W of heat dissipated in the regulator. The input current can then be calculated as 10W/12V = 0.83A. This is far better than a linear voltage regulator, which would require an input current of 1.8A and 22W, wasting 13W instead of the 1W lost in this switching regulator.
Typical Dropout Voltage
The dropout voltage of a step-down regulator is the minimum amount by which the input voltage must exceed the regulator#8217;s target output voltage in order to ensure the target output can be achieved. For example, if a 5V regulator has a 1V dropout voltage, the input must be at least 6V to ensure the output is the full 5V. The following graph shows the dropout voltages for the D15V70F5S3 regulator as a function of the output current: