Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Electricity flows in two ways: either in an alternating current (AC) or in direct current (DC).
Electricity or "current" is nothing but the movement of electrons through a conductor, like a
wire. The difference between AC and DC lies in the direction in which the electrons flow. In DC,
the electrons flow steadily in a single direction, or "forward." In AC, electrons keep switching
directions, sometimes going "forward" and then going "backward."
Alternating current is the best way to transmit electricity over large distances.
Comparison chart
Alternating Current
Direct Current
Cause
of
the Rotating magnet along the wire.
direction of flow of
electrons
Frequency
Direction
Current
Flow of Electrons
Obtained from
Cell or Battery.
Passive Parameters
Impedance.
Resistance only
Power Factor
it is always 1.
Types
Sinusoidal,
Square.
Trapezoidal,
Triangular,
Power supply
A power supply is a device that supplies electrical energy to one or more electric loads. The term
is most commonly applied to devices that convert one form of electrical energy to another,
though it may also refer to devices that convert another form of energy (e.g., mechanical,
chemical, solar) to electrical energy. A regulated power supply is one that controls the output
voltage or current to a specific value; the controlled value is held nearly constant despite
variations in either load current or the voltage supplied by the power supply's energy source.
Every power supply must obtain the energy it supplies to its load, as well as any energy it
consumes while performing that task, from an energy source. Depending on its design, a power
supply may obtain energy from:
1. Electrical energy transmission systems. Common examples of this include power
supplies that convert AC line voltage to DC voltage.
2. Energy storage devices such as batteries and fuel cells.
Bridge rectifier
The rectifier converts the AC sine wave into a pulsating DC wave. There are several forms of
rectifiers used but all are made up of diodes. Rectifier types and operation will be covered later
CAPACITOR
The rectifier produces a DC output but it is pulsating rather than a constant steady value over
time like that from a battery. A capacitor is used to remove the pulsations and create a constant
output.
REGULATOR
The regulator is a circuit that helps maintains a fixed or constant output voltage.
Changes in the load or the AC line voltage will cause the output voltage to vary.
Most electronic circuits cannot withstand the variations since they are designed to work
properly with a fixed voltage.
The regulator fixes the output voltage to the desired level then maintains that value despite any
output or input variations.
Breadboard
A breadboard also known as protoboard is a type of solder less electronic circuit building. You
can build an electronic circuit on a breadboard without soldering.
Working
An AC powered regulated power supply usually uses a transformer to convert the voltage from
the wall outlet (mains) to a different, nowadays usually lower, voltage. If it is used to
produce DC, a rectifier is used to convert alternating voltage to a pulsating direct voltage,
followed by a capacitor, comprising one or more capacitors, resistors, to filter out (smooth) most
of the pulsation. The +5 volt power supply is based on the commercial 7805 voltage regulator IC.
This IC contains all the circuitry needed to accept any input voltage from 8 to 18 volts and
produce a steady +5 volt output, accurate to within 5% (0.25 volt). It also contains currentlimiting circuitry and thermal overload protection, so that the IC won't be damaged in case of
excessive load current; it will reduce its output voltage instead.
The 1000f capacitor serves as a "reservoir" which maintains a reasonable input voltage to the
7805 throughout the entire cycle of the ac line voltage. A small remaining unwanted alternating
voltage component at mains or twice mains power frequency (depending upon whether half- or
full-wave rectification is used). Ripples unavoidably superimposed on the direct output voltage.
Construction
We used 220V AC voltage as transformer input. The step down transformer converts this 220V
in a lower voltage. This lower voltage goes into the rectifier where it is converted into DC. Then
we use capacitor of 100ouF as a filter for filtration of DC current.
Then we use a regulator 7805 to get exact 5 volts DC. Then we use 1k resistor and an animated
led to check the flow of regulated current. Then we use output wires to measure voltage from DC
Voltmeter.